Project Child Indonesia partook in Our Ocean Conference held in Bali on 29 and 30 October 2018. Started in 2014, Our Ocean Conference’s main objective is generating commitments and taking actions to maintain the sustainability of our oceans. Our Ocean Conference 2018 gathered participants from countries around the world to ensure diverse perspectives from various ocean stakeholders, including prominent figures from various sectors who will influence concrete and actionable commitments to preserve the oceans’ health.
The oceans hold the promise of our future. However, the oceans are under immense threat as an impact of detrimental human activities. Marine pollution, bleaching coral reefs, raising sea temperature, and unsustainable fishing continues to occur. Illegal activities such as human trafficking in fishing operation, wildlife trafficking, as well as arms and drugs smuggling also risks the ocean indirectly. It is our choice to choose the kind of legacy we leave for future generations, therefore the theme Our Ocean, Our Legacy is chosen to reflect our commitment to preserve our oceans as a heritage presented for our children and grandchildren.
The event consisted of plenary meeting, exhibitions, and Our Ocean, Our Legacy Youth Leadership Summit. During the conference, participants are encouraged to announce their commitments as it critically contributes towards global efforts to preserve the oceans’ health. The conference also tracked past commitments and encourage new commitments and partnership that deliver multiple objectives.
The 2018 Our Ocean conference focused on 6 areas which are marine protected areas, climate change, sustainable fisheries, marine pollution, sustainable blue economy, and maritime security. Project Child Indonesia as one of the participants in Our Ocean Conference 2018 took part to tackle the issues of marine pollution.
Since 2014, Project Child Indonesia has been actively campaigning against single plastic use mainly through Drinking Water Program, as well as other programs such as Sekolah Sungai and Sekolah Pantai. By means of education Project Child contributes in reducing plastic trash threatening our ocean, and introducing environmental awareness to younger generations who will inherit the role of protecting the future of our planet.