The II Meeting of the Local Youth Network of the Biosphere Reserve of La Gomera, held in El Cercado (Vallehermoso), has elected Noé Hernández Armas as the representative of the group. The event coincided with the 14th anniversary of the island's declaration as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
Noé Hernández Armas has been elected as the representative of the Local Youth Network of the Biosphere Reserve of La Gomera during the II Meeting 'Young Gomeros in Action', held last Saturday in El Cercado, in the municipality of Vallehermoso. The day, which commemorated the fourteenth anniversary of the island's declaration as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO (11 July 2012), brought together around thirty young people to discuss the environmental, social, and economic future of the territory.
The new representative will take on the task of conveying the vision and concerns of the Gomera youth to regional, national, and international forums related to sustainability. Hernández Armas will have a voice in spaces such as the Spanish MaB Committee or the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, where he will be able to advocate for proposals arising from the meeting.
A space for dialogue for Gomera youth
The president of the Cabildo of La Gomera, Casimiro Curbelo, highlighted during the inauguration that the second edition of the meeting demonstrates “the willingness of Gomera youth to actively participate in building the island model we want for the future.” Curbelo insisted that the Biosphere Reserve should be seen “not only as an international recognition but as a useful tool to improve the well-being of the population, protect our identity, and generate new opportunities linked to sustainability.”
For his part, the coordinator of the Biosphere Reserve of La Gomera, Diego Chinea, emphasised the importance of incorporating the youth perspective into planning: “Listening to our young people, facilitating their participation, and providing them with spaces from which they can promote concrete initiatives is an institutional responsibility and a guarantee for the future of La Gomera.” Chinea added that the day confirms that on the island they have “prepared young people, committed to their territory and willing to provide solutions to environmental, social, and economic challenges.”
Climate change and working groups
The day began with an introduction focused on the fight against climate change, emission reduction, and the need to advance in mitigation and adaptation measures. The importance of strengthening citizen awareness and promoting collective changes that improve the sustainability of La Gomera, taking into account its environmental and socio-economic particularities, was addressed.
Additionally, Irene Montes, representative of the Local Youth Network of the Transboundary Biosphere Reserve Gerês-Xurés (between Spain and Portugal), shared the experience of her network, the challenges encountered, and the role of youth in conservation and sustainable development. Her intervention served as inspiration for the attendees.
The participants were divided into three working groups: territory and nature; culture, connection, and participation; and employment and future. In these groups, they analysed the reality of Gomera youth, identified needs, and formulated proposals to strengthen the relationship between young people, the territory, and the Reserve. Topics such as the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, access to employment, sustainable entrepreneurship, and the connection between municipalities were discussed.
A framework document for the future
The conclusions from the working groups will serve as a basis for developing a framework document that will collect the diagnosis and proposals of the youth. This document will guide the future actions of the Local Youth Network and contribute to projecting the future of the Biosphere Reserve from the youth perspective. The residents of La Gomera will be able to consult this document on the Cabildo's website once it is completed, and it is expected to be presented at the next plenary session of the Council of the Reserve.
The meeting, which took place in El Cercado, a rural hub of Vallehermoso known for its pottery traditions, not only served to elect a representative but also to demonstrate that Gomera youth are eager to get involved. And that, on an island that is fighting against depopulation and aging, is good news. Who knows, perhaps the next great sustainable project for La Gomera will emerge from one of those working groups.
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