Beyond Passion: The Realities Youth Face in Conservation

12/10/2025

14:00 - 14:45

IUCN Youth Pavilion

Exhibition

Why attend

Young people lead biodiversity action, yet face hidden struggles : burnout, unsafe conditions, resistance to new ideas, and unrealistic expectations. This listening and sharing circle, open to all youth, invites experiences, dialogue, and collective visioning toward a more supportive and just conservation movement grounded in care, solidarity, and intergenerational change.

Session Description

Young people are at the forefront of biodiversity action, bringing energy, innovation, and courage to conservation. Yet behind the passion lie struggles that are rarely named : burnout, eco-grief, resistance to new ideas, unsafe work environments (especially for women), and the heavy weight of unrealistic expectations. Without acknowledgment, these challenges leave youth isolated, unsupported, and at risk of losing the very spark that drives their work. This session offers something different: an open sharing and listening circle, created especially for youth at the World Conservation Congress. It is designed as a safe space where young people can bring their lived experiences both the joys and the struggles and know they will be met with care, empathy, and solidarity. Such spaces are rare in global forums. We wanted to create one at WCC where youth can connect honestly, support one another, and together envision a conservation movement rooted in justice, care, and belonging.

Organised by

South America Region

Partners