Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute Launches New Initiative to Ensure Greater Youth Participation on Climate Change

HAMILTON, Bermuda – The Jamaica-based United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Multi Country Office has announced a strategic collaboration with the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI)that will enhance the Caribbean representation and expand youth engagement opportunities on climate action.

Traci BurgessIt said that the collaboration will allow for  greater participation at Bermuda’s fifth annual Youth Climate Summit (YCS) being hosted by BUEI from November 17 – 22 this year.

The conference will follow the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and according to officials YCS, one of BUEI’s most impactful signature educational programmes, is now positioned as one of its COP30-affiliated dialogues in the region.

The UNDP said that this innovative partnership combines YCS’s proven record of empowering young climate advocates with UNDP’s Climate Promise global programme to advance scaled-up climate action whilst promoting the UNDP Multi Country Office’s Ready Set Great initiative, an empowerment and advocacy movement facilitating youth-led solutions to the greatest challenges facing young people.

“The impactful collaboration between BUEI and UNDP paves the way for Caribbean youth ages 13 to 22 years who live outside Bermuda to register as virtual delegates in the Bermuda Youth Climate Summit via UNDP’s readysetgreatja.com website. As virtual delegates, participants will gain access to YCS virtual sessions scheduled for the first three days of the Summit, plus alumni masterclasses scheduled on day four,”  it added.

“This partnership significantly broadens YCS’s reach throughout the Caribbean, with UNDP encouraging virtual participation in the Summit from Ready Set Great participants and young people engaged in environmental programmes across their network.

“The collaboration creates new opportunities to build meaningful connections between like-minded students within the region while maintaining YCS’s authentic, youth-driven approach,” the UNDP  said, adding that “the partnership also reflects the growing recognition of YCS’s impact in the youth climate space whilst providing UNDP with a platform to continue engaging young environmental advocates across the Caribbean and beyond”.

UNDP Resident Representative Dr Kishan Khoday said the critical nature of the climate emergency facing island nations and communities requires strategic youth engagement and mentorship for a climate ready future.

“As the world looks to COP 30 for an ambitious vision, our youth advocates must be proactive and forward thinking, ensuring their voices are heard in corridors of power. UNDP therefore welcomes this opportunity to work with the powerful Bermuda Youth Climate Summit on amplifying youth advocacy and action on climate change throughout the region.

“By facilitating the partnership between the Bermuda event and the Ready Set Great platform we are creating synergies that can only strengthen youth action, youth voices and youth impact in the Caribbean. UNDP feels it is vitally important to provide these opportunities, listen, learn and support, to advance the important cause of climate resilience within vulnerable island communities,” Khoday said.

BUEI chief executive officer, Traci Burgess, said BUEI is excited to expand YCS throughout the Caribbean and connect like-minded young people, many of whom face similar climate challenges living in small island nations that are on the front lines of battling climate change.

“Partnering with UNDP allows BUEI and YCS to expand our educational impact and make greater contributions to developing change makers who will be better prepared to use their voices in advocating for a healthier future. This significant collaboration provides substantial opportunities for youth from Bermuda and around the region to connect, educate, and inspire each other”.