This project aims to build global youth awareness of conservation in Palau, a small island nation in the Pacific. Palau Conservation Society will establish a youth-in-conservation online social network by holding a workshop, facilitated by a team of youth, to develop and administer a social network site to link Palau youth with other youth around the world. The overarching goal is to encourage them to become lifelong stewards of conservation.
Topical focus:
Country:
What locality or neighborhood will your project focus on?
Koror, Palau
Describe the specific community with whom you will be working.
Palau is a small island nation, 540 km square in size, with a population of only 20,000 indigenous people. Our small island is usually unheard of globally. This online social network will allow the Palau youth to learn and share ideas with other youth around the world, and most importantly build relationships early on that may flourish into global partnerships in the future – and increase awareness of Palau as a country.
What kinds of news, stories and other content will be created?
The youth will update each other on events with invitations for volunteers, educational and career opportunities in environment, resource management and related fields. The network site will also allow the youth to share their conservation adventures and ideas to promote conservation. Key stories will be publicized in our monthly newsletter, website, local radio and regional television network for Micronesia.
What technologies and digital tools do you plan to use in the trainings?
Describe the connections that you or your organization have already established that will contribute to the success of the project.
Palau Conservation Society was founded in 1994 and has established local, national, regional and international partners who contribute to organizational success through collaborative efforts. Recently, we sponsored a conservation learning exchange for Palau and Guam youth and will expand the exchange to include other island youth in Micronesia with support from regional partners such as the Micronesia Trust Fund and The Nature Conservancy.
How many participants do you think will be involved in your project?
We will train 10-12 youth ranging from ages 16-32 years of age. The participants will be students, volunteers, and state resource managers (e.g., conservation coordinators and officers). We have student interns every year through existing partnerships with our local community college and Ministry of Education who manage and update our FaceBook page. This project will be coordinated by student interns from the local community college.
Besides the microgrant funding, what other resources and support are you seeking for your project to ensure its success?
1. Additional electronic supplies and equipment, i.e., netbooks or tablets, for the workshop.
2. Opportunities for global exposure, i.e., participation in international youth forums in conservation or environment, and face-to-face meetings with fellow network participants.
3. Fellowships, scholarships and other educational opportunities.
Contact name
Joyce K. Beouch
Organization
Palau Conservation Society