ISN students participate in Pelagos Agreement's 25th anniversary celebration in Monaco.
On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, students from ISN specialising in Environmental Systems and Societies, Global Politics, and Model United Nations attended the prestigious 25th anniversary celebration of the Pelagos Agreement in Monaco. This trilateral initiative, uniting France, Monaco, and Italy, aims to protect cetaceans and their habitats in the Mediterranean Sea—an area vital for marine biodiversity.
Held in the iconic Grand Salle of Monaco’s Oceanographic Museum, the event was organised by the Permanent Secretariat of the Pelagos Agreement in collaboration with the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, the Fondation Prince Albert I, and the Département des Alpes-Maritimes - Plan Méditerranée 06. More than 150 participants, including scientists, experts, stakeholders, and young ocean defenders, gathered to celebrate a quarter-century of achievements and reaffirm their commitment to marine conservation.
The celebration featured a blend of reflective insights and forward-looking strategies:
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Innovative Research: Six groundbreaking projects funded by the agreement were presented, addressing critical issues such as underwater noise, pollution, maritime traffic, port activities, and overfishing.
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Milestone Review: A comprehensive overview of the Pelagos Agreement’s 25-year journey highlighted key conservation successes.
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Strengthening Partnerships: Memoranda of Understanding were signed with the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and INFO/RAC, bolstering collaborative efforts in marine conservation.
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Festive Moments: The event concluded with a ceremonial toast and cake-cutting, celebrating both the milestone and the collective dedication to the cause.
For ISN students, the event provided an enriching opportunity to explore international negotiation, global politics, and environmental issues directly tied to their studies. The Pelagos Agreement, central to the event’s discussions, plays a critical role in advancing several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It supports marine conservation (SDG 14), promotes international cooperation (SDG 17), and addresses climate action (SDG 13), while also contributing to sustainable tourism (SDG 8) and ecological harmony between land and sea (SDG 15). Additionally, the event emphasised the importance of quality education (SDG 4) in fostering the next generation of environmental leaders, empowering students with the knowledge and skills to drive positive change.
Mrs Costanza Favilli, Executive Secretary of the Pelagos Agreement highlighted that, “Inclusion and communication with the younger generations are essential for the achievement of the objectives of the Pelagos Agreement. That is why in recent years, the Pelagos Agreement created specific awareness and communication tools and opened the Pelagos events to the participation of children and young students. It was a pleasure to welcome a group of young and passionate leaders from ISN at the 25th Anniversary of the Pelagos Agreement.”
Reflecting on the significance of the event, ISN Director Mel Curtis said, “I am deeply proud and profoundly grateful to the organisers for their efforts and advocating for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ), engage younger generations and foster a culture of respect and inclusivity. By providing equal opportunities for all, regardless of background or age, they are laying the foundation for a sustainable future. Today’s youth are the next wave of ocean leaders, innovators, and changemakers, poised to guide society toward sustainability and ensure the enduring preservation of the Pelagos Sanctuary for generations to come.”
For the students, the experience was transformative. Stephanie, an ISN Grade 8 student, shared her excitement: “The 25th anniversary of the Pelagos Agreement in Monaco was absolutely influential. Coming as a group of international students, we got to experience how countries like Italy, France, and Monaco come together globally to work on major environmental initiatives. Hearing world-renowned experts discuss the state of the Pelagos Agreement and its accomplishments over the years was unequivocally inspiring. The most enjoyable part of this experience for me was being able to speak personally with the directors and experts and learn one-on-one about how we as students can make a difference to help our oceans. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience I will never forget.”
Adrian, ISN Grade 9 student, added, “The event was incredibly meaningful because it highlighted the importance of marine conservation and the commitment of various stakeholders to protecting our oceans. It relates closely to my studies, as biology has taught me about the vital role of marine ecosystems. What I enjoyed most was hearing from experts about innovative solutions for preserving biodiversity and seeing how collaboration can create real change.”
Hugo, ISN Grade 11 student, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “The whole event was wonderful. Being able to take part in such an exclusive and important event in marine conservation just felt special. The presentation of the different research projects was truly interesting and enriching. The organizers and participants were really kind and included us throughout the event, regardless of our young age and lack of experience. This experience was amazing, making me want to participate more often in this kind of meeting in the future.”
Uliana, ISN Grade 12 student, remarked, “Being able to attend this incredible event was such a unique opportunity! The discussions the speakers had were not only insightful but also useful for much of our schoolwork.”
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