Yintai Charity | 2018 Blue Pioneer Program Graduation

With the cooperation of Intime Foundation, Packard Foundation, Peach Blossom Spring Ecological Protection Foundation, and Environmental Research Center of Duke Kunshan University, the "Blue Pioneer Program" - China Ocean Public Welfare Talent Cultivation Program has been launched at Duke Kunshan University this year.

After eleven months of intensive training in three modules, two field surveys of protected areas in Liaoning and Hainan, and team building projects, under the guidance of over 20 Chinese and foreign scientists, NGOs, and senior experts in social enterprises, 20 students successfully completed all courses of the Blue Pioneer Program.

11 On the 4th of the month, the pioneers presented their graduation project report. After selection, 11 outstanding students will go to Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, USA for accelerator courses in 2019. The ocean public welfare projects proposed and planned by some students will receive funding support from the Intime Foundation, Peach Blossom Spring Foundation, and Parker Foundation.

Student Reflection

Wang Miao

“ The organization we have established is called Boundless Deep Blue, which pays tribute to our predecessor Sylvia Earle (National Geographic Explorer, Deep Sea Queen, renowned marine conservationist) and her Endless Deep Blue Dream. We hope to serve 300000 amateur divers in China and encourage diving enthusiasts to participate in marine conservation together. ”

Wang Miao founded the Boundless Deep Blue charity organization. Wujing Deep Blue is positioned to operate diver communities across the country, providing support for divers to participate in marine conservation. During her studies at Blue Pioneer, Wang Miao was selected by the United Nations Environment Programme as one of the seven "Young Champions of the Earth" globally in 2018, and she is also the only Chinese winner.

During his studies at Blue Pioneer, Wang Miao realized that science and professionalism were his weaknesses. In addition to fostering a love for the ocean among divers, we also need scientific tools to turn their passion into action. In the project proposal submitted by Wang Miao, enhancing one's own scientific abilities, developing scientific tools, and empowering divers will be the core work of the future Boundless Deep Blue.

Xiao Xiaobo, Chang Le, Cao Man

“ Smart foodies should be responsible foodies. Seafood Insight is a tool developed by international environmental organizations to help foodies identify sustainable seafood. We hope to promote China's Seafood Insight. ”

Cao Man, Chang Le, and Xiao Xiaobo learned during their study at Blue Pioneer that the Seafood Watch developed by Monterey Bay Aquarium has played a huge role in promoting sustainable seafood consumption in the United States and has already influenced over one million users. Therefore, they decided to pilot the production of China's Seafood Watch in Guangxi and promote sustainable consumption through cooperation with seafood suppliers such as restaurants and supermarkets.

Among them, Cao Man once represented Blue Pioneer in conversations with the King and Queen of Norway and Mr. Jack Ma. When introducing my learning experience to the Queen and Mr. Jack Ma, I mentioned that sustainable consumption is crucial for ocean conservation, and promoting certification of sustainable seafood products to help consumers engage in responsible consumption is an effective way to use commercial methods for ocean conservation. This viewpoint has been endorsed by the King and Queen of Norway and Mr. Jack Ma.

Xu Rui

“ Chinese consumers are becoming the main force in the global ocean tourism market, and we hope to have more young consumers who are more concerned about ocean conservation. ”

Xu Rui, who is currently employed by a cruise group, has gained the greatest benefit from participating in Blue Pioneer, which is that he feels gratified that more and more public welfare organizations are paying attention to the ocean. Chinese cruise consumers are still sightseeing oriented, but more and more young people and parent-child families are beginning to pay attention to the ocean. In the Blue Pioneer Roadshow, Xu Rui invited public welfare organizations to design ocean science education courses suitable for cruise consumers.

This graduation report has invited Dr. Sun Qingwei, the Chinese director of the leading global marine conservation organization, the National Geographic Society, and Ms. Lin Qian from Business Network to provide feedback and guidance.