The President of the Republic, Mr Danny Faure, welcomed young Seychellois environment enthusiast, Ms Kelsy Gill, at State House this morning. Ms Gill won an opportunity to be part of the ‘Students on Ice Arctic Expedition 2019’ through an essay writing competition advertised by the SIDS Youth Aims Hub (SYAH Seychelles) earlier this year.

‘Students on Ice’ is an annual educational expedition for school and university students organised by the Student on Ice Foundation, a Canadian charitable organisation. Ms Gill, aged 19, was among 130 students selected from all around the world who took part in the expedition to the eastern Canadian Arctic and Western Greenland in July and August this year. During the expedition, they engaged in workshops, panel discussions, Zodiac excursions, and shore landings with plenty of opportunities for wildlife sightings including of seals, whales and polar bears. The meeting was an opportunity for Kelsy to share with the President her experience and impressions.

President Faure commended and congratulated her on the remarkable achievement and expressed his hope that she becomes a role model for other young people, inspiring them to engage with environment activism and studies.

“I want to congratulate you for such an incredible accomplishment through your own initiative. I have been touched by what you are doing and it means a lot, in view that Seychelles is a global champion for environmental conservation, and now the blue economy agenda as well as ocean governance,” said President Faure.

During the meeting, Ms Gill shared with the Head of State her concerns on climate change and its impact. She expressed her wise that world leaders and all concerned join efforts to put in action measures to mitigate the impact of climate change. She is currently enrolled in a degree in environmental science at the University of Seychelles.