“Youth and Innovation for Ocean” Initiative launched

UNESCO in partnership with the Coca-ColaFoundation launched the “Youth and Innovation for Ocean” Initiative in Hanoi on June 8 with the aim of empowering students and young professionals to devise solutions to reduce and recycle plastic waste in coastal regions in Vietnam on the occasion of the World Oceans Day.

Beach cleaning at Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An Biosphere Reserve in 2019 held by UNESCO and Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An Biosphere Reserve. (Photo: UNESCO)
Beach cleaning at Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An Biosphere Reserve in 2019 held by UNESCO and Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An Biosphere Reserve. (Photo: UNESCO)

The initiative will call on young talent and juniorscientists to develop innovative and practical solutions for plastic waste management with the focus on the three“Rs”: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, contributing to the development of a circular economy.

Young talent will be provided with technical support from top experts through a mentorship scheme during the framework of the Initiative.

The most innovative ideas will be piloted in UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, specifically the Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An Biosphere Reserve.

The initiatives are expected to support communities in coastal regions to deal with plastic waste, improve the environment and enhance their living standards.

In addition, the Youth and Young Professionals on Innovation, Science and Technology Platform for Resiliency (U-INSPIRE) will be launched within the framework of the Initiative which will serve as a national hub for supporting knowledge sharing and innovative ideas from young Vietnamese citizens to address environmental and development issues in the country.

“We know that the Vietnamese youth are talented and have solutions to offer in all areas of development. Our job is to help these creative young people connect to each other and support the ideas that grow from these interactions,” the UNESCO Representative to Vietnam, Michael Croft, stated.

“Youth and Innovation for Ocean” builds on the success of the previous “Art for Recycle” Initiative in 2019. It reflects the desire of both UNESCO and the Coca-Cola Foundation to support the youth as key change makers insustainable development.