Who Are We?

Jan

Born and raised by the sea, I’ve always felt drawn to the ocean. Having studied political science (now working as a teacher and Ph.D.-student in German literature), I was sort of irritated that earth’s probably most important physical feature was largely absent from the curriculum. It occurred only as a geostrategical asset for states from time to time. The notion of Blue Citizenship got me to think about what it really means to be living on an ocean planet – as a species that is part of the natural world and that has to act politically to protect it. It is also a strong cosmopolitan metaphor. For a long time, I have been convinced that there are certain issues that we have to take care about across nations and societies. With every step on the Blue Citizen-journey, I learn more about how the ocean defines and sustains life on earth – and how deeply it is in trouble due to our activities. Understanding this interconnectedness plays a major role in ‘restoring society's relationship with the ocean‘ (UNESCO). And it should be reflected in our policies towards it.

This is undoubtedly also a question of intergenerational justice. Working together with this highly committed and talented group of young Europeans has made me hopeful that we can change our harmful practices in the future, if we are part of a political community that is, at least complementarily, defined by its relationship to the ocean and that legally incorporates the spirit of young minds.

The members of this council feel a connection to their blue environment, they are constantly willing to learn about it and act accordingly. Their attitude and engagement thoughout the process has convinced us even more that they should have a say in shaping the conditions under which they will build a life on the Blue Planet in the future.

Nina

The ocean gives me peace, inspiration, and hope. As a student of political science focusing on justice and climate issues, I became increasingly aware of a striking contradiction: although the ocean covers most of our planet and sustains life as we know it, we rarely reflect on how deeply our societies depend on it — or on how profoundly our actions shape its future. What fascinates me is not only the ecological dimension, but also the political one. The ocean reminds us that we share one planet. Its currents ignore national borders, connecting coastlines, communities, and generations. It reveals, perhaps more clearly than anything else, that our responsibilities cannot stop at the edges of nation-states.This realization inspired me to co-found the Young Citizens’ Council for the Ocean together with my brother. We wanted to create a space where young people could explore what citizenship means in an interconnected world — and how democratic participation can extend to the protection of our shared global commons.For me, Blue Citizenship is about responsibility, solidarity, and the courage to think beyond borders.

I was 16 years old when the Young Citizens Council for the Ocean was founded and I was lucky enough to join. I am going to a German Highschool and will graduate in the summer of 2027. There was always a connection between me and water in general. It starts with the fact that I have been a competitive swimmer since I was 6 years old, I go wakeboarding, skiing, sailing and in 2021 I passed my first dive certification! Since then the ocean just kept on fascinating me, I spent half a year in Australia with more breathtaking marine encounters than I can write here. Ever since being able to enter this different world, the ocean, I wanted to make sure that it would get the protection it desperately needs. And because I am under 18 this Council gives me the perfect opportunity to make a difference!

I am a 18 year old German university student, studying Marine Geoscience in Bremen. My passion for the ocean sparked during my exchange year in New Zealand in 2023. Since then I feel a deep connection to the ocean and identify myself as a Blue Citizen. For me, this means to care about our ocean through grassroot campaigns, scientific research,and local, regional, national as well as international engagement in ongoing ocean policy and literacy.

When our Council was formed I was a 17 year old student from Athens in Greece. I joined because throughout my life I had seen my local marine ecosystems, that I always admired, collapse under human activities. Now 18, I have found a way to actually act in order to protect it and every other European and global marine ecosystem. Also, I have managed to broaden my knowledge in the science and politics that governs them. And that’s what I believe a Blue Citizen to be, a person who knows, acts and informs others about the sea.

I was 18 at the time of creation of the Council, 19 years old at the moment, currently studying Mechanical Engineering at The University of Zagreb. Distinguished member of Sava Youth Parliament and European Youth Parliament for Water. My motivation comes from the need to contribute and do something good regarding water management and protection. For me, a Blue Citizen is a person who cares about the ocean enough that they are willing to invest their time and resources to protect/help it.

I am a 17 year old school student living in Germany.

The ocean, natural environments and being outside have been the center of my life since I was four years old. Since then I learned a lot about the many different forms of life in the ocean, why we´re dependent on it and its lacking protection. Therefore I want to do something myself to have a positive impact on the thing that I love the most.

In my opinion a Blue Citizen is someone who is conscious about the issues our oceans are facing and does their best at fighting against them, thinking solidarily with other people and animals.

I am a 17 year old school student, majoring in English literature, math and art. Currently I’m applying to study political science at the university. My interest in the environment and ocean was first sparked during my trip to Mallorca with my school’s environmental club. My interest in politics alongside my participation in various programs such as Model United Nations further ignited my interest in ocean diplomacy, especially as a recently new field which lacks attention. Before the project I felt a connection to the waters ever since becoming an island citizen. After, the connection became so much deeper and more knowledge based. Now I’m a Blue Citizen. A person who spreads awareness about the ocean, addresses any arising issues and most importantly takes but also gives.

I am a biology student from Spain, currently studying in France. I joined the Council at 19, motivated by a passion for ocean conservation born from a high school research project on sea turtles in the Mediterranean and the impact of human actions on marine life. Since then, I have embarked on a learning journey to better understand the ocean, gain tools, and take action through projects, campaigns, and advocacy. As a Blue Citizen, I believe in learning, raising awareness, and giving a voice to the ocean’s unseen stories.

I’m a 20-year-old student from Switzerland studying Computational Science. I’ve always been drawn to environmental topics, and my interest in the ocean grew from a love of spending time in and around it. On the one hand the ocean interests me and I want to learn more about it and broaden my knowledge, on the otherhand I also want to be able to actively participate in ocean conservation/literacy. To me, being a Blue Citizen means raising awareness and sharing knowledge with others about the importance of protecting the ocean and its marine life.

I am a tenth-grade student at a high school in Romania. I joined the Council at 15, motivated by my curiosity about the ocean and my desire to learn how to protect it. Spending my summers by the sea in Italy, where my grandparents live, the ocean became a safe space for me and a source of inspiration. Wanting to give back to the sea, I chose to learn more and take action.

Since becoming a Council member, I have become more aware of the challenges facing the ocean. I actively spread ocean literacy and advocate for ocean health by educating myself and the people around me. As a Blue Citizen, I believe everyone should understand issues such as marine pollution, climate change, biodiversity loss, and overfishing, no matter how far they live from the ocean.