Jairus Ismael L. Chiu and Kate Cuyno, two youth volunteers of Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp), are set to participate in the UGGp Youth Marine Camp 2023, taking place in Belitong UGGp, Indonesia, from July 2-5, 2023.
The camp’s theme is “The Way of Water: Designing the Future of Island Geoparks through Youth Initiatives.”
Its primary objective is to promote the Island Geopark concept and the Blue Economy as the foundation for geopark development, with a particular emphasis on island regions.
Discussions will center on the contribution of island geoparks to the blue economy, fostering economic growth through collaboration with local communities, mitigating the impacts of climate change, and aligning with UNESCO’s sustainable development goals.
Chiu and Cuyno’s participation in the camp demonstrates Bohol Island UGGp’s commitment to increasing its visibility within the Global Geoparks Network.
It also provides an excellent opportunity for benchmarking and learning from other youths actively engaged in geopark management, particularly in an island setting.
Chiu, President of Kabiling Lunhaw and a BS Nursing student at Holy Name University, and Cuyno, Senior Geologist at the EMS – Concrete Petrography Laboratory of the University of the Philippines – Diliman, registered for the camp. They both underwent a thorough screening process by the organizers and were chosen to represent Bohol Island UGGp in this youth camp.
“We congratulate Chiu and Cuyno on their selection and wish them a successful and enjoyable camping and learning experience in Belitong Geopark,” Bohol Congressman Edgar M. Chatto said in a statement.