Atlantic Pacific launches Global Leaders Summit for young people

BCCJ member Atlantic Pacific International Rescue, a UK-registered charity on a mission to combat global drowning, is welcoming applications from young people aged 13–18 for its Global Leaders Summit, to be held in Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture, from 31st July to 4th August, 2023

Funded by the Nippon Foundation as part of the Umi to Nippon Project, the summit will bring together students from across the world for a bilingual programme (English and Japanese) to talk about the pressing issues of our time and how they can be addressed.

Track record

Atlantic Pacific Japan is a partner organisation that was established by Atlantic Pacific following the delivery of a “Lifeboat in a Box” to Nebama Bay, Kamaishi, in 2016, creating Japan’s first and only volunteer-run lifeboat station.

Atlantic Pacific’s Global Leaders Summit builds on the successful delivery of summer school programmes in Kamaishi in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022 (online delivery in 2020 and 2021). The organisation is building a centre of excellence in Nebama Bay, where it hopes young people can come to learn about search and rescue, emergency first aid and environmental issues related to the oceans, while being challenged to consider how they can help combat climate change.

Summit activities

In a focused and enjoyable learning environment, students will experience the wonderful ocean, learn about the problems it is facing and come to understand the actions they can take to save lives on the sea and during emergencies. They will be expected to participate in all the planned activities and to engage in discussions around proactive action before coming up with solutions to protect our seas for future generations.

Activities include disaster response, recovery and preparedness; fishing; swimming; sailing; search and rescue; first aid and psychological first aid. Water experiences will be available for all abilities and are subject to weather conditions.

Atlantic Pacific will also introduce its sustainability project, Ocean Revival, in which students will learn the impact of plastic and how they can make a difference, not only by changing their plastic use behaviour, but also by inspiring change in others. Students will be guided in the use of specialist ‘Precious Plastic’ machines to transform waste plastic into useful items, with the ultimate aim being to create sea-safety devices such as lifebuoys.

Community engagement

Students will also be introduced to members of the community in Nebama Bay, which is still recovering from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and find out more about the proactive solutions they have implemented, including a reinforced sea wall and disaster preparedness training.

Atlantic Pacific’s partner, Nebama MIND, will present its journey with local people over the past 11 years, detailing the impact of the earthquake and tsunami, the care and consideration given to the rebuild, the regeneration of businesses and its hopes for the future.

For schools

Atlantic Pacific welcomes partnerships with schools so their delegates can attend the summit. Afterwards, the delegates will receive three online mentoring sessions designed to provide support in coordinating a school-wide effort to address the use of plastic and implement behavioural change. Atlantic Pacific will also support a nominated staff member of each school with two lesson plans on sea safety and ocean awareness.

Testimonials

Here are some comments from people who have engaged in Atlantic Pacific camp activities:

“My daughter returned from AP Spring Camp and told me: ‘My perspective has changed as I learned and discussed how to save lives and how to consider the environment to connect to a sustainable society. Now I would like to find out what I can do little by little, and contribute so that I and the next generation can live happily … starting by recycling plastics.”
Parent

“Before I came to AP Spring Camp I felt that solving environmental problems was up to someone else, so I was reluctant to do anything. When I was at camp, I actively considered that it was up to me and started to take action. Being surrounded by the warmth of the locals who have experienced the impact of an environmental disaster was a truly valuable experience.”
Participant

“Influenced by the high school and college students he met at the camp, he began to think about his future and where he would go to school. Also, after returning home, he showed me how to do lifesaving activities and how to tie ropes.”
Parent

Apply or find out more

To find out more about the Global Leaders Summit, visit these webpages in English or Japanese or contact UK-based Kate Sedwell ([email protected]) or Japan-based Lin Nishitani (l[email protected])

Visit this page to find out more about Precious Plastic.

You can keep up to date with Atlantic Pacific by following them on Facebook and Instagram.