Young People Give Feedback On Draft Blue Plan
On Friday, October 14, 2022, the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme [BOPP], in partnership with the Bermuda Zoological Society [BZS], held a Young Leaders Engagement Session at the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo.
Minister Walter Roban said “The public consultation period is a valuable opportunity to connect with Bermuda’s young people and encourage them to find their voices in local policy decisions.
“The Draft Blue Prosperity Plan will shape economic and environmental issues impacting Bermuda’s youth. As such, we must take the time to ensure they understand the importance of protecting the island’s waters and how we can mitigate and provide solutions to long-term challenges, such as climate change.”
A spokesperson said, “Deputy Premier and Minister of Home Affairs Walter Roban gave opening remarks at the event designed to gather valuable feedback from the next generation on the Draft Blue Prosperity Plan. Bermuda Zoological Society, The Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, and many other local organisations supported the event and submitted nominations for Young Leader Session participants, aged 14 to 25. BZS, a supporting partner of BOPP, values engaging the island’s young people in conversations around environmental policy and stewardship.”
Participant Kasey Bell said, “This event really inspired and motivated me to engage in this process. I already knew I wanted to be an oceanographer, but this showed me how important the work is, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to discuss these issues with my peers.”
The spokesperson said, “During the event, BOPP and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources representatives presented highlights from the Draft Plan, and BZS educators facilitated participant-led discussions in breakout groups. This structure allowed Bermuda’s young people to critically discuss the components of the Draft Blue Prosperity Plan and share their feedback on its design, intended outcomes, and how they feel it might impact their futures.”
President of BZS, Colin Brown, said, “The Bermuda Zoological Society is committed to providing the next generation of stewards in Bermuda with unique experiential learning opportunities that help to foster a lifelong interest in conservation and ocean policy through its mission to inspire appreciation and care of island environments.”
The spokesperson said, “The Draft Blue Prosperity Plan is open to public comment until November 12, 2022. The Draft Plan has two components: the Blue Economy Strategy, a guideline for growing Bermuda’s ocean-related industries and attracting investment, and the Marine Spatial Plan, a framework for implementing sustainable ocean development, protection, and management.
“This Draft Plan uses the best available science and builds from extensive input from the Government of Bermuda, the local scientific community, stakeholder groups, and Bermuda’s public.
“Three public engagement sessions have occurred in Hamilton, Somerset, and St. George’s and stakeholder meetings to gather in-depth feedback from different ocean user groups are ongoing.
“The public is encouraged to read the Draft Blue Prosperity Plan at BermudaOceanProsperity.org and provide their feedback online at the Government Citizens Forum website at https://forum.gov.bm/en/.”
BOPP Communications Coordinator Weldon Wade said, “The Blue Prosperity Plan is a way to secure a better future for young Bermudians, and it is important to hear what they want for the future of Bermuda’s ocean. The next generation will inherit our decisions, and we need to include them in the conversation.”
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