The Heritage in Young Hands (HIYH) annual meeting took place today at the National Trust of Fiji (NTF) Conference Room. Partners and donors, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Oceania Kiwa Initiative, World Wildlife Fund Pacific, University of the South Pacific, and LajeRotuma Initiative, joined NTF team to discuss the progress and future of the HIYH programme.
The meeting aimed to give updates on the HIYH programme, share experiences in environmental education, review the current curriculum, and plan activities for 2025. A major highlight was the support from IUCN and the Kiwa Initiative programme, which has been essential for the HIYH programme. Elizabeth Erasito, Director of the National Trust of Fiji, said the support from IUCN was commendable. “Since they came on board, we have greatly benefited in communication, visibility, grants, and funding."
The HIYH programme started in 2016 with Shangri-La Yanuca Island and aims to raise awareness about the environment among children. It is part of the Kiwa Initiative's project focused on building coastal resilience at the Sigatoka Sand Dunes. During the meeting, IUCN Oceania Kiwa Initiative Communications Officer, Shreeya Verma presented on the importance of social media for environmental advocacy. In her session, titled "Children’s Voices - Kiwa Perspective," she shared insights from social media sessions she had conducted with HIYH eco campers in May and September 2024. She explained that social media helps children speak up for a cause they care about.
