Connecting Communities Through Ocean Action at SeaMERC Day
In late February, UNESCO Aotearoa Youth Leaders Saeyavan Sitsabesan and Isaac Morunga, hosted a stall as part of SeaMERC Day which was hosted by the Sir Peter Blake Marine Education and Recreation Centre, in Auckland.
SeaMERC Day
The event brought together the local community, ocean advocates and the future kaitiaki of our marine ecosystems to celebrate the ocean and explore practical ways to support marine sustainability.
At the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO stall, Saeyavan and Isaac shared information about the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), and visitors were invited to take part in a range of interactive activities designed to spark conversations about sustainability. These included an ocean pledge wall where participants wrote commitments to protect the ocean, sustainability trivia challenges, and short interviews exploring the question: “What does the ocean mean to you?”
"The ocean feels like a second home. It’s a place where I can relax and feel like I belong. It teaches us, gives us food, and supports the way we live." - A SEAMERC Day participant
The activities created space for meaningful discussions with people of all
ages about the importance of protecting marine environments and the role
individuals and communities can play in caring for the ocean.
Our UNESCO Aotearoa Youth Leaders were grateful for the opportunity to engage with the SeaMERC community and look forward to continuing collaboration on future initiatives, including upcoming activities on World Oceans Day (June 8th).
