Youth Representative in the EUROPARC Council
The EUROPARC Youth Representative is a co-opted member of the EUROPARC Council. They attend all the Council meetings and can give advice and share the opinion of their constituency on the direction and workings of the EUROPARC Federation as a network. They speak on behalf of young stakeholders and young professionals and make sure any work plans, policies or strategies are youth-proof.
The Youth Representative has a very close connection with the EUROPARC Youth Council, acting as a bridge between this body and the EUROPARC Council.
The Youth Representative will remain in office for two years. If all parties agree, the mandate could be renewed for two more years. This change from a 3-year mandate to a 2 year mandate is to complement the change in the EUROPARC Council mandate from 3 years to 4 years.
Full role description2024 – 2026
Welcome Michelle Herrmann as EUROPARC’s Youth representative. She has studied agricultural science and finished her PhD in sustainable plant nutrition. Born in the man and biosphere reserve Bliesgau in Germany, she experienced the co-living of human and nature since her early childhood. Based on this knowledge, she advocates for a changed understanding of nature conservation: seeing humankind not as an enemy but as an ally in protecting nature. Because of her study background, she takes the farmers’ perspective into account promoting actions which are compatible with modern, sustainable agriculture. Her enthusiasm for sustainable development has guided her throughout her life. At the moment, she is initiating and leading workshops for young people on topics like biodiversity, sustainable agriculture and nutrition, and the value of food.
2021 – 2024
Leonardo Cerno served a 3 year period as the EUROPARC Youth Representative. He is active in the Italian regional park Parco Naturale Prealpie Giulie where he freelances as a tour guide and project manager. He has also been an active EUROPARC Junior Ranger and Youth+er and is involved in the Youth Advisory Board in the Julian Prealps.
2013 – 2021
The very first Youth Representative to sit on the EUROPARC Council was Laura Peters from the Dutch National Park Weerribben-Wieden. Laura had been involved in Junior Rangers since she was 12 years old, attending International Junior Ranger Camps and helping campaign for the first Youth+ programme. See her interview at EUROPARC Live: