Since leaving for Mauritius over a week ago I can proudly say that I have learnt a lot from this trip. It was certainly not vacation or walk in the park, especially with an intensive schedule from waking up early, long bus rides and reaching the guesthouse late, even the weather gave us a challenge with the constant rain.
Despite these challenges I am privileged to have had the opportunity to get to know my fellow Blue Economy Interns sharing in their laughter, passions and dreams. I think this brought us closer together not just as BE interns but as youths who want to see a brighter future for ourselves and our planet despite our differences. Collaboration, a word that kept echoing itself with each visit, we need to come together to solve the issues afflicting us, individually our voices are often silent, however together we can make it loud enough for others to hear our plight and tell them we are here! (Reminds me of the scene from Horton Hears a Who!) We had the opportunity to see how collaboration between various stakeholders nationally, regionally and internationally have brought great progress. Witnessing various organisations such as NGOs partnering with the tourism industry to educate and protect our environment such as reefs which are themselves valuable resources for the tourism sector. Development which is inclusive to all particularly the local community, which are often marginalised for the so-called development of the country, I ask is it truly development when the population is cast aside for the building of massive resorts and malls? Who is it really benefiting? The collaboration between Seychelles and Mauritius in managing the Mascarene Plateau, shows that we have moved away from seeing each other as rivals but as partners for the benefit of both our islands. Further testament to this new era of collaboration is the IOC (Indian Ocean commission) which works tirelessly to unify and develop our small corner of the world. The coming together of various island states under SIDS (Small Island Developing States) to stand up to the giants in the world to tell them that we matter and that we have a right to exist. But more importantly is seeing young people come together, showing interest in a sustainable future no matter which corner of the globe they are! The visit in Mauritius helped to shed light on the on the various projects being implemented in the country, a chance to go behind the scenes into the processes. It also made me appreciate the people behind the initiatives, their tireless work and dedication to the ocean. I was able to discover the potential within the ocean, no longer are they a vast emptiness but rather a vibrant teeming world of possibilities. Just as important as the discovery of its potential, were the threats faced, from plastics to global warming which are slowly choking this world. Various countries are dependent upon the ocean particularly island states where their economies are interlinked such as fisheries, tourism and increasingly pharmaceuticals, where various life saving compounds have been discovered. I have to admit when going to this visit, I was myopic, thinking only in terms of the tourism industry. I did not think that other areas would be of interest to me, except for when we arrived in Seychelles, I was happy be back, to see my family, unfortunately this was short lived when I discovered that my aunt was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Even now writing this blog I am still going through the emotions of the implications of this disease. However, I have made a pledge to myself and my aunt, who has done incredible work helping people, touching various lives, that I would do the best that I can to ensure that our oceans not only survives but thrives so that someday someone, it could even be a Seychellois can discover those anti-cancer compounds, ridding us of this terrible disease. It is sad to think that this will be the last blog I write for this internship, I do hope that you who is reading this is inspired by my words and is willing to do your part to save our blue world, then I guess I have done a good job. I would like to thank everyone who has helped me throughout this internship and I am truly blessed to have been part of the Blue Economy Program. I wish my fellow interns all the best in the future and be the leaders they wish to see. I sincerely apologise for the long read and I would like to thank you also for reading my blogs. Now I’m off to start a new chapter! Goodbye For now! Yannick Memee
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AuthorThe interns of the Prosperity & Environment: Promoting sustainable development opportunities for youth in the Blue Economy sector. Archives
January 2018
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