Youth Symposium

Children are the conservationists of the future; they are the generation that will have to deal with the loss of biodiversity and nature. Letting children participate in the discussion about these themes, with their insights and experiences, can lead to new policy development for environmental conservation.

Silence of the Bees wants to let children think about biodiversity and nature in their environment in a fun and challenging way. This international Youth Symposium offered primary school children  in the Netherlands and Germany the opportunity to make their voices heard about these topics. During these afternoons, the development of a 10-point-action-plan was central. Beforehand, the children were introduced to these themes through two workshops, enabling them to share their insights with us about bees and their needs for nature. This 10-point plan can be considered as input from children for the new environmental law 2022. In the Netherlands, it was handed over online to our guest Douwe Hoogland, Deputy PvdA Fryslân. In Germany, the children recorded a video message presenting their plan which was sent to the Umweltminister of Niedersachsen Olaf Lies. 

You can watch the video message here!

The Dutch Youth Symposium took place on Wednesday 19th May at the primary school de Trije in Ferwert.

The German Youth Sympisum tookk place on Friday 24th June at the Kardinal-von-Galen-Hause in Dinklage.

Below you can find some photo impressions of the classes during the symposium. 

NETHERLANDS

GERMANY