The beauty, the complexity and the intricate balance of the web of life have mesmerized me.
Growing up and pursuing biodiversity as the object of my studies and my passion, I soon realized its very existence was increasingly being threatened by us. Being a kid, it was incomprehensible that we were the ones threatening our own life-supporting system. Why would we do that? This question followed me through my life, influenced me to pursue an academic career as a biologist, and I embarked in a journey to seek for answers, to understand and change this grim reality. I am extremely honoured and humbled by this recognition and have sincere gratitude for the AEON Environmental Foundation, the Midori Prize for Biodiversity judging committee, the CBD Secretariat and everyone who has believed and supported the work of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) until now.
I am very confident that this recognition will empower many young people, especially young girls in developing countries, to pursue their dreams and aspirations and join collective action for biodiversity everywhere. I am also hopeful that it will inspire other institutions and organizations to recognize the leadership, energy and success that young people can bring to biodiversity actions in all levels. What started as a crazy aspiration – seeds of hope, shared by a like-minded group of young friends ten years ago, has bloomed into a vibrant movement for biodiversity.
Finally, I would like to share this honor and recognition with perhaps one of the brightest of all these stars, GYBN’s co-founder, Christian Schwarzer, a true force of nature that has been moving heavens and earth to make this crazy aspiration, real. Today, beyond being the youth constituency to the CBD process, we are a global movement. Tomorrow, we will be shaping our culture and will hopefully be leading a just transition to live a future in peace, in equity and in harmony within nature. Join us in this journey!