Meeting for ocean conservation at ISN
by Elizabeth Hernandez
On February 17, 2025, the International School of Nice (ISN) had the honour of welcoming a
distinguished delegation from Costa Rica, alongside representatives from the Mairie de Nice.
This landmark event reinforced ISN’s commitment to sustainability and international
collaboration, marking a crucial milestone ahead of the upcoming UN Ocean Conference
(UNOC3) in June 2025. Co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, UNOC3 will bring together
global stakeholders—including United Nations Member States, NGOs, and the scientific
community—to drive ocean conservation efforts forward.
The Costa Rican delegation was led by influential figures, including Mr. Jorge Rodríguez
Vives, Minister of Culture and Youth; Mr. Adrian Olivares Aguero, Chief of Staff to the
Minister; and Mr. Andrés Pérez Saenz, Attaché at the Costa Rican Embassy in France.
Representing the City of Nice were Mrs. Maty Diouf, Deputy Mayor; Mr. Florent Serge Stora,
Director of International Relations; and Mr. Marcos Dos Santos, International Relations
Officer. The event also featured Mrs. Delphine Thibault, Program Manager for Costa Rica-
related educational projects at Sens Solidaires, and renowned French underwater photographer
and marine conservationist, Mr. Greg Lecoeur.
The event was divided into three primary segments:
• Opening Discussions: Leaders explored the importance of international partnerships in
environmental conservation.
• ISN’s Sustainability Showcase: Students and faculty presented the school’s ongoing
sustainability projects.
• Cultural Exchange: A celebration of shared heritage and cross-cultural collaboration.
Central to the discussions was ISN’s unwavering dedication to the UN Ocean Conference and
the advancement of ocean preservation policies. Since 2022, ISN has worked closely with
Deputy Mayor Maty Diouf to promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) within
the UNOC framework. Education (SDG 4) remains a core pillar of ISN’s mission, alongside
gender equality (SDG 5), climate action (SDG 13), and sustainable ocean governance (SDG
14). Additionally, the school emphasises global partnerships (SDG 17) as essential to tackling
environmental challenges.
ISN’s proactive engagement in sustainable development extends beyond the classroom. The
school has partnered with over 125 NGOs worldwide through the UNOC initiative and was
recognised in the synthesis report A Call to All Ocean Voices for its contributions. In 2024, ISN
also participated in Monaco Ocean Week’s Let’s Be Nice to the Ocean roundtable, where they
discussed actionable solutions for marine conservation.
A defining moment of the event was the presentation of a letter of intent, signed by ISN Director
Mrs. Mel Curtis and student representatives, reaffirming the school’s dedication to fostering
global partnerships and sustainability education.
Mrs. Mel Curtis, Director of ISN, underscored the school’s commitment to sustainability
education and international collaboration. In her remarks, she stated: "At ISN, we believe that
education is the key to a more sustainable and interconnected world. Our partnerships with
Costa Rica and the City of Nice represent more than just collaboration—they embody a shared
vision for a future where young leaders drive global change. Through education, dialogue, and
action, we empower our students to be ambassadors for sustainability, equity, and ocean
conservation, ensuring that their voices will shape the world they inherit."
One of the most exciting developments announced was the Young Ambassadors of ISN
program, proposed under the patronage of Deputy Mayor Maty Diouf. This initiative aims to
cultivate leadership and cross-cultural exchange between students from Costa Rica and ISN,
addressing pressing global issues such as cultural sensitivity in diplomacy, climate change,
gender equality, and ocean conservation. Through virtual collaborations and joint projects,
students will strengthen their diplomatic and environmental advocacy skills.
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Key program initiatives include:
• Politics & Global Affairs: Engaging in Model United Nations (MUN) discussions on
Green Economy, International Trade, and Peacekeeping.
• Culture & Society: Promoting cultural appreciation through ISN’s Art, Language, and
Culture Department.
• Science & Innovation: Partnering on the Hi!Ai Sustainable Cities Project to develop
eco-friendly urban solutions (SDG 11).
• Marine Conservation: Advancing ocean sustainability through the Marine Learning
Hub (SDG 14).
• Social Justice & Climate Advocacy: Highlighting the role of women and young
generations in environmental conservation via ISN’s Global Perspectives program.
Adrian, a Grade 9 student, expressed: "I’m thrilled to be part of the Young Ambassadors of
ISN program because it offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with students from Costa
Rica on urgent global issues like climate action and ocean conservation, which I am deeply
passionate about. I’m especially excited to exchange ideas and perspectives with peers from
different cultures to develop a more global mindset. Through this experience, I hope to grow
into a leader who fosters international cooperation and sustainable solutions. I plan to apply
these lessons in my future academic and professional pursuits, ensuring that my work
contributes to a more sustainable and interconnected world."
Nikita, a Grade 10 student, added: "I’m excited about the program because of the many
students I’ll meet. I believe you can always learn more from others, and I’m eager to connect
with students from Costa Rica. With 98% of Costa Rica’s electricity coming from renewable
energy, there’s so much to learn from them. I am improving my Spanish, to be able to clearly
communicate with the Costa Rican students, as I believe people express themselves better in
their mother tongue, and it’s a conscious effort I should make. I think everyone views the world
differently, and being able to meet with other students from different countries and backgrounds
will enhance my general knowledge. From this I hope to become a skilled orator and more
proficient in social interaction.”
The delegation also toured ISN’s sustainability-focused educational projects, all aligned with
the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
• Marine Learning Hub: Programs centered on ocean biodiversity, conservation, and
waste management.
• Sustainability through Innovation: Solar energy installations, creative recycling
initiatives, and the Junk Kouture Award: From Coastline to Wasteline competition.
• Hi!Ai Sustainable Cities Project: Researching smart urban planning, sustainable
transportation, and green building designs.
• Environmental Stewardship: School-wide composting, water conservation, and
gardening initiatives.
Julie, a Grade 9 Environmental Science student, shared: "This event was deeply meaningful
to me because it demonstrated that our efforts in sustainability and biodiversity preservation
are being recognized. As an Environmental Science student, it was inspiring to see how our
work connects to real-world discussions. I was particularly moved by the Minister’s genuine
interest in our projects and his appreciation for our ideas. This experience has motivated me
to continue making a difference, knowing that young voices can influence environmental
policy."
Laure, a Grade 10 student, noted: “This event was important to me because I felt it was
important to show our school’s efforts as an eco-school. I experienced this hard work in my
Environmental Science class, when we analysed ISN's carbon footprint last year. It was
important to recognise the school’s achievements and its continuous support of our
environment. For me, the most memorable part of the event was at the end, the speech given by
the Minister of Costa Rica. I found it very inspiring as he talked about life opportunities and
his past experiences. The event made me realise how inspiring Costa Rica is and how the
country is a great example that should be followed by many other countries.”
The event concluded with a Pause-Café networking session, featuring a unique cultural
exchange: Costa Rican violin music performed by Minister Jorge Rodríguez Vives and an ISN
student. This artistic moment celebrated the power of international dialogue and mutual
appreciation.
This event underscored the crucial role of education, diplomacy, and cultural exchange in
shaping a more sustainable and peaceful future. Through continued partnerships with Costa
Rica and the Mairie de Nice, ISN is empowering the next generation to tackle global challenges
and lead the way toward a more sustainable, interconnected world.
With UNOC3 on the horizon, ISN remains steadfast in its mission to promote quality education,
ocean conservation, and climate action.
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