ICRI is pleased to announce the release of its inaugural youth report showcasing the reflections developed by ICRI’s Youth Working Group at the Occasion of the 37th General Meeting. ICRI recognises the importance of incorporating youth perspectives into conservation efforts, as outlined in the 2021 – 2024 Plan of Action: Turning the Tide for Coral Reefs. This commitment is specifically emphasised under Theme 4 which seeks to expand the coral reef community by fostering diversity and inclusion. As coral reefs and their related ecosystems continue to face mounting drivers of loss from climate change and other threats, threatening their services and all those that depend on them, ICRI is committed to empowering Youth; to integrating their unique perspectives, ideas, and solutions to drive the conservation, protection and restoration of coral reefs.
This document outlines the objectives and outcomes of a youth delegation that were invited to the 37th ICRI General Meeting held in Kailua-Kona; Hawaii from the 19th – 23rd September 2023. It presents reflections on ICRI’s future strategies on youth inclusion, for the preservation and conservation of coral reefs and associated ecosystems. Furthermore, it serves as a comprehensive overview of the imperative need to engage youth in conservation efforts to secure a sustainable future for these vital ecosystems.