Coastal Zone Management: what is it about? It is a well-known fact that much of the planets’ population lives within 100km of the coast, and we must be aware that our actions on land affect marine life and its surrounding habitat. It is our responsibility to ensure that the coastal zones continue to be diverse and healthy for future generations.

Successful management of coastal zone resources requires that the people living in coastal areas are part of the planning, decision-making, and implementation process. This means that the scientific community, all levels of government, industry, non-government organizations, and individual citizens must work in partnership to chart a course that ensures the economic and ecological vitality of our coastal communities.

Youth are an integral part of the scientific community, academia, industry, and the general public. Their perspectives and concerns must be known and taken into consideration in the discussions about the integrated management of coastal zone resources. In Newfoundland, Canada, and around the world, youth have come together to take a strong voice in issues and decisions that will affect our future, as evident by the numerous youth organizations and movements. What the future holds, is in part, based on the vision that we create today about what we want for future social, economic, and sustainable environment prosperity. The Coastal Zone Canada Youth Forum 2004 is an important event for youth.

The Coastal Zone 2004 Youth Forum: As part of the Coastal Zone Canada Conference series, the Coastal Zone 2004 Youth Forum will create an inspiring and creative atmosphere where youth can openly discuss and take action upon conflicting coastal issues. Interactive workshops, field trips and guest speakers, in addition to paper and poster presentations; will ensure the sharing of information and personal experiences. The forum will provide youth with an opportunity to learn about the interconnectedness between our human activity, sustainable resource use, and the overall health of marine ecosystems. Youth from different backgrounds and different interests will come together to share, learn and make their voice heard.

The Youth Forum will be held on the two days prior to the Coastal Zone Canada’04 Main Conference, with an overlap of one day, where there will be a “call for action” prepared by members of the Youth Forum, and presented on the opening day of the Main Conference. There will also be an informal reception that same evening, where participants from the Youth Forum will have the opportunity to meet and discuss issues with participants of the Main Conference. For this event, “youth” includes people between the ages of 16 and 30. This broad range was chosen to encourage university students and young professionals to participate, as well as to invite those in high school, who will be organizing this event in the future.

The Youth Forum has adopted the themes from the Coastal Zone Canada’04 Main Conference, so that youth perspectives and suggestions will compliment main conference activities.