International Youth+ Camp 2015 © Federico Minozzi
2nd EUROPARC Youth Conference (1st International Youth+ Camp)
A highly committed group of youth declared to be the voice of nature from and to young people. The Aiguestortes Declaration, prepared by the 23 participants from 10 European countries, was made in Aigüestortes and Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, Catalonia, Spain. On the 1st EUROPARC International Youth+ Camp, new skills on Communication, Advocacy and Leadership were developed and put to good use in a series of activities and workshops.
During the camp participants shared experiences and presented to the group their respective Protected Areas . They were supported by expert rangers from Cairngorms National Park (UK), Weerribben Wieden NP (NL) and Bayerischer Wald NP (DE) and mentors from the EUROPARC Federation. Useful discussions took place concerning accessibility in Protected Areas for people with disabilities, and how youth can play a role on supporting environmental education activities in parks. The Camp was a huge success showing the true potential young people have in being advocates for nature and ambassadors for protected areas across Europe.
Youth are not just our future leaders; they can provide a great support for nature conservation in protected areas today. We only have to give them a chance
said Ignace Schops, EUROPARC President. EUROPARC is working to enhance the confidence, competence and commitment of youth to enable them to be ambassadors for their protected areas, and support Rangers in the management of the Junior Ranger programme. A new Youth + programme for protected areas is in development.
SEE THE PICTURES HERE
The Aigüestortes Declaration will be officially presented along with an interpretive video made by the young people at EUROPARC’s Conference on the 26th October, in Regensburg. There, Europe’s youth saught a commitment from the Protected Area managers of Europe.
DOWNLOAD The Aigüestortes Declaration and the participants list below.
EUROPARC expresses its profound gratitude to the rangers that came from abroad, to Ms. Merce Aniz Montes,(Park Director of Aiguestortes NP) and to all her committed team; and to the local communities of the Vall de Boi . Hosted by the Aiguestortes NP in the framework of their 60 years celebrations, the camp was also supported by the “Obra Social la Caixa” and the Generalitat of Catalunya.
International Youth+ Camp 2015 © Federico Minozzi