Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) is offering young people aged 18 to 25 years a once in a lifetime opportunity to discover more about Marine Protected Areas in the Franco-British Youth Forum taking place this autumn.
The Forum will take place over two weekends, in Dorset in October and France in November, and all travel, accommodation and living costs will be paid for.
Young people will also get the chance to enjoy some lively debate with local experts from a variety of marine fields, from fishing and conservation to recreation and law enforcement.
The Forum is being organised as part of the PANACHE Project, a European Union Interreg IVa funded project, which aims to encourage participation in protecting our marine environment throughout The Channel area, ensuring key communities and interests are involved.
Although no knowledge about marine conservation is needed, applicants must be highly motivated, live close to The Channel coast and have an interest in the sea. They will learn what effect MPAs will have on a range of interests and discuss the best ways to manage these new sites for both people and wildlife.
DWT’s Marine Awareness Officer, Julie Hatcher said “Young people are our environmental managers, politicians and marine stakeholders of the future and inevitably will face difficult choices when balancing society’s social, economic and environmental needs. Now, through our PANACHE programme, they can learn how to take both sides of an argument and come to a sensible compromise with regard to protecting our marine environment. It will be a valuable life-skill.”
Any young person wishing to take part should go to https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/jobs.html for more information and to apply. The closing date is Friday 11th October 2013.
