World Youth Wildlife Summit
The World Youth Wildlife Summit is an initiative of Project Rhino's Wildlife Youth & Leadership Development pillar. It brings young people together with conservation experts to inspire active leadership in shaping a sustainable future for wildlife and the environment.
Empowering young conservation leaders
The Summit exposes young people to the opportunities that exist within the Wild and Conservation Economy, from reserve management and ecotourism to marketing, fundraising, law-making, policy-shaping, community-based conservation, education and awareness.
Its purpose is to engage, empower, educate and equip youth to become Ambassadors for Conservation and influencers who can help reduce wildlife crime.
Kruger National Park, South Africa
The 2019 World Youth Wildlife Summit brought together more than 165 youth, 20 adult chaperones, 35 conservation role models and 5 keynote speakers from 21 to 24 September.
Delegates were challenged through discussion and debate on responsible use of wildlife resources, demand reduction, the link between poverty and poaching, habitat loss, and the role of education and awareness.
Engage, empower, educate and equip
The Summit is designed to give young leaders the knowledge, confidence and perspective to influence others and act for wildlife conservation.
Engage
Bring youth into meaningful discussion with conservation experts, role models and peers.
Empower
Encourage delegates to become ambassadors for conservation within their communities.
Educate
Explore wildlife crime, responsible use of wildlife resources and environmental challenges.
Equip
Give young people practical knowledge and motivation to lead, share and influence others.
Conversations that shape future conservation thinking
Delegates explore real-world conservation challenges and the social issues connected to wildlife crime.
Learning from conservation role models
Conservation role models and keynote speakers gave freely of their time to share knowledge, answer questions and provide career guidance, further motivating youth to explore opportunities within the biodiversity economy.
Partners behind the Summit
The World Youth Wildlife Summit is made possible through the support of partners, donors, companies, schools and foundations.
Support the next generation of conservation leaders
Your support helps bring youth together with conservation experts and gives future leaders the opportunity to become ambassadors for wildlife protection.
Sponsor a delegate
Help young people attend and participate in conservation leadership opportunities.
Partner with the Summit
Companies, schools and foundations can support the Summit through sponsorship, resources or outreach support.
Share the message
Help grow awareness by sharing Summit stories, youth voices and conservation messages online.
Help develop the next generation of conservation leaders.
Every contribution helps young people become informed, inspired and active ambassadors for wildlife protection.