|
iSimangaliso Wetland Park's CEO, Andrew Zaloumis,
says the ¡§the future of our oceans and of our natural
heritage as a whole is ultimately dependent on our
youth". This past World Ocean Day, which took
place on 8 June, saw local schoolgirl, Buntu Sibiya,
representing South Africa's very first World Heritage
Site Park in New York.
The 14-year-old Sibiya joined a group of young people
from 13 of the United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organisation's (UNESCO) Marine World
Heritage Sites around the globe to launch a campaign
called #MyOceanPledge.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York as one
of three youth selected to address the assembly on
behalf of young people globally, Sibiya's message to
over 2 000 delegates, 40 heads of state and royalty
highlighted the importance of the ocean.
¡§As one of the 49 UNESCO jewels of the ocean,
iSimangaliso is important to our community as a source
of recreation and employment, protection of animals ¡V
like nesting turtles ¡V and resources such as fishing,¡¨
says Sibiya. ¡§People need to realise that plastic
pollution is killing our oceans and turtles, overfishing
damages our food source and ocean mining threatens our
heritage.¡¨
According to iSimangaliso, His Serene Highness Prince
Albert II of Monaco spearheaded the signing of the #MyOceanPledge.
He was joined by Irina Bokova, Director-General of
UNESCO, as well as Adrian Grenier, UN Goodwill
Ambassador for the Environment.
Each of the 32 participating youth from 13 World
Heritage Sites in 11 countries also signed their
personal pledges.
Accompanying the Grade 9 learner from Mtubatuba
Christian Academy, who also shows gratitude for being
part of an event like this, was her father, Park
Operations Director Sizo Sibiya.
¡§What an experience," says Sibiya. ¡§This trip presented
me with an extraordinary opportunity as a first-time
overseas traveller. My dad made it clear to me that we
were travelling for work but I had fun.
"I was in New York for the first time, yet I had an
exclusive opportunity to set my foot in the UN Assembly
Buildings, giving a talk to a number of the world¡¦s
heads of state and over 2000 delegates. I never knew I
could do this, but UNESCO¡¦s marine programme, together
with iSimangaliso and my school, made this a reality.¡¨ ¡V
Source:
www.traveller24.com |
