Green Buddies Environmental Club and Youth4MPAS recently held a marine debate in recognition of Marine Month, commemorated every October. The motion for the debate was, “Should coastal communities bear the responsibility for protecting their marine environments?”
The debate between Mountview Secondary School – who were the proposition; and Verulam Secondary – who were the opposition – took place at the uShaka Marine World Educational Centre on Saturday, 26 October.
Following their victory, Mountview Secondary School and Debates Master, Meloshnee Pillay, said, “Learners were given an opportunity to showcase their debating skills as well as critically analyse the responsibilities of government and coastal communities.” She added that the debate was a well organised and informative event.
Vice Chairperson of Green Buddies Environmental Club, Selisha Singh said the debate was an exciting collaboration between the hosting partners, “Listening and watching the learners – who were trained on international debate standards validating their respective motions – was exhilarating.”
Green Buddies Environmental Club Events Coordinator Nikhil Deolall said, “It was great having learners from a diverse background speaking on topics so pertinent to the problems we currently face in the world today. The learners debated on the topic and had such good arguments to back up their points, especially when it came to aspects of coastal communities and the environment. It was really well received how learners were engaged and knowledgeable on the topic. A win for our environment.”
Wildtrust Youth Coordinator Asandiswa Nonyukela added, “The debate was interesting and it was quite exciting to see how the learners took the topic and interpreted it. All in all, when you bring together both the opposing and the pro-arguments, we realise that an integrated and inclusive approach is needed to fully achieve our conservation targets. Having both the community and government working together for the greater good. This debate highlighted that and having future leaders speaking about these aspects, shows that there is indeed space for the youth to contribute to conservation.”
The teams and their school representatives were also addressed by Green Buddies Environmental Club, Youth4MPAS, the eThekwini Marine Cluster and South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) on their respective marine initiatives which include marine conservation and youth.
To join Green Buddies Environmental Club for future events and membership, contact Ashlin Ellan on 079 0255 291 or get in touch with via email on secretary@greenbuddies.co.za
