Lüderitz Blue School empowers local youth

CONSERVING THE WORLD’S BLUE RESOURCES

Oceans regulate our climate, absorb carbon dioxide and produce 50% of the oxygen we breathe. Therefore, understanding their significance to us and vice versa is of utmost importance. They provide food, jobs and livelihoods and the potential for economic development for coastal communities. Namibia’s marine and coastal tourism is an essential component of the country’s recreational opportunities along the Atlantic Ocean in towns such as Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Henties Bay, Lüderitz and Oranjemund. The Lüderitz Blue School, newly established in the eponymous coastal town in the //Karas Region in southern Namibia, educates children and young people about the importance of protecting our oceans, balancing and restoring ecosystems, boosting biodiversity and ensuring sustainable fishing practices that restore the health of our oceans and protect them for future generations. It is designed to provide an educational experience that encourages creativity, critical thinking and problem solving.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME

The school follows the internationally recognised UK National Curriculum with adjustments to suit the Namibian context. It places a strong emphasis on critical thinking, encouraging children to develop independence and problem-solving skills from a young age as well as thinking creatively. “The school has been set up to offer a high proportion of scholarship places for children who have the ability and interest to thrive in an environment like the Blue School, but who would not otherwise be able to afford the school fees. A scholarship covers the full cost of school fees for as long as the child remains at the school”, says Chair of the Board, Lucy Hooft. “Our doors are always open and we love to hear from prospective parents or interested members of the community who have a skill to share.

2023 COP28

The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27), themed Together for Implementation, marked a turning point where most stakeholders and partners now seem to recognise the notion of ocean literacy as pivotal in tackling climate change. The largest global annual event on climate change, held in November last year in the Egyptian coastal city of Sharm El-Sheikh, concluded with increased awareness of the need to strengthen ocean science and seek ocean-based solutions to reverse climate change. The 2023 UN Climate Change Conference will take place from 30 November to 12 December 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the focus on the importance of the oceans and oceanic life.

Maggie Forcelledo Paz