In a concerted effort to address the pressing challenges faced by many island nations, Peace Boat US, led by Director Emilie McGlone, played a pivotal role in the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States – SIDS4, and the SIDS Global Business Network (GBN) Forum, held in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda. Under the overarching theme of “Charting the course toward resilient prosperity,” the conference aimed at assessing the ability of SIDS to achieve sustainable development, including the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals. It resulted in an intergovernmentally agreed, focused, forward-looking and action-oriented political outcome document. From May 25-30, 2024, these back-to-back events provided an essential platform for discussing the unique challenges and opportunities faced by Small Island Developing States. Peace Boat US’ participation underscored its commitment to promoting sustainable development, climate resilience, and community empowerment.
SIDS Global Children & Youth Action Summit: Communications Masterclass
The SIDS Children & Youth Summit served as a dynamic platform for young leaders from across SIDS to come together and discuss pressing issues. Peace Boat US, represented by Emilie McGlone conducted a Communications Masterclass to equip young participants with essential skills for effective advocacy and storytelling.
Joining Peace Boat US were other notable organizations and individuals, including representatives from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Global Citizen and the Ashley Lashley Foundation. The masterclass highlighted the importance of storytelling in advocacy and emphasized that when youth stories are told with the right communication tools, they can drive significant change in their communities and beyond.
SIDS Global Business Network Forum 2024: Empowering Local Communities
At the SIDS GBN Forum, Peace Boat US had the opportunity to moderate a panel discussion on, “Inclusivity: Empowering Local Communities for Transformed Economies.” This session brought together experts from various fields to discuss the importance of inclusive economic development for building resilience and sustainability in SIDS.
Peace Boat US Director Emilie McGlone, highlighted the organization’s initiatives to empower local economies through sustainable tourism and educational programs. Other speakers for the event included Shannen Henry (Co-Founder & Head of Sustainable Development, Council on Sustainable Fashion & Design of Grenada), Aiesha Adnan (Co-Founder Women in Tech Maldives), Olivier Naria (Associate Professor, University of Reunion, and author on sports tourism) and Jost Neumann (Director Programmes, TUI Care Foundation).
Amplifying Action in the Call for Climate Justice
In the session, “Amplifying Action in the Call for Climate Justice: An Inclusive Approach for Meaningful Change,” Peace Boat US took a leading role in advocating for equitable climate policies. This event brought together activists, policymakers, and community leaders to discuss strategies for achieving climate justice, with a focus on the disproportionate impacts of climate change on SIDS.
Peace Boat US had the opportunity to share insights from our programs in climate education and community engagement, highlighting the need for inclusive approaches that prioritize the needs of vulnerable populations.
Small Islands Leading the Energy Transition
Peace Boat US also contributed to the session, “Small Islands Leading the Energy Transition: Roadmaps to 100% Renewables,” co-hosted by UN-DESA, the Greening the Islands Foundation, and the Government of Tonga. This event focused on the pathways for SIDS to achieve 100% renewable energy, showcasing successful projects such as the work from Blue Planet Alliance, and discussing the technical, financial, and policy measures needed to scale-up renewable energy.
A dynamic discussion was held on the role of education and capacity-building in driving the energy transition, sharing examples from initiatives that educate and empower communities to embrace renewable energy solutions. The session highlighted the potential of renewable energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, create jobs, and enhance energy security in small island states.
Youth Will Lead the Way
The side event, “Youth Will Lead the Way – Working Towards a Renewable Energy Future for All!” was a collaboration between Peace Boat US and long-time partner organization Blue Planet Alliance. The event focused on the role of youth in driving the transition to renewable energy. This session explored how island youth are being impacted by climate change and the actions they can take to make a positive difference. Speakers included Kyle Dahilig from Guam, and Kneyone Murray, Reyad Mohammed, and Khadija Stewart, all from Trinidad and Tobago, alongside Francois Rogers from Blue Planet Alliance and Emilie McGlone, Director of Peace Boat US.
The importance of engaging youth in climate action, highlighting Peace Boat’s “Ocean and Climate Youth Ambassador Program” was discussed. The program empowers young leaders from SIDS to advocate for climate resilience and renewable energy in their communities, empowering young people to be the driving force behind the movement for a sustainable future. The energy, creativity, and passion of the youth are vital for achieving the SDGs. The session included testimonies from young climate leaders who shared their experiences and aspirations for a renewable energy future.
Greening the Islands Sofa: Sharing Stories and Insights
Throughout the conference, Peace Boat US participated in the, “Greening the Islands Sofa,” a unique space dedicated to video messages and interviews with global leaders in the islands’ sustainable transition.
Interviews were conducted with key stakeholders, amplifying the perspectives and experiences of diverse voices in the SIDS community. These interviews were shared with a global audience, raising awareness about the importance of supporting SIDS in their journey towards sustainability and resilience.
Peace Boat US’s active participation in the SIDS4 conference and the SIDS GBN Forum underscored the organization’s commitment to supporting the sustainable development and resilience of Small Island Developing States. Through our educational programs and community-driven initiatives, Peace Boat US continues to play a crucial role in empowering local communities across the globe, promoting climate action and advocating for inclusive and sustainable economic development.
