Inspiring Youth to Become Involved with Migratory Birds: Interaction between EAAFP and Michuhol Foreign High School

Group photo with Michuhol Foreign High School students © EAAFP Secretariat

Tenth grade students from Michuhol Foreign High School in Incheon, Republic of Korea, visited the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) Secretariat office on 12 July 2024. The goal of this visit was to inspire and encourage students from Michuhol Foreign High School to be more involved in the conservation of migratory waterbird species and to build awareness about the increasing disappearance of their key habitats. The meeting provided an opportunity for students to engage with the EAAFP Secretariat through presentations and personal anecdotes from the Secretariat.

Jennifer George, Chief Executive of EAAFP, warmly welcoming the students (from left to right, Ms. Yoon Kyung Lee, Ms. Jieon Yoo, Ms. Jennifer George, Ms. Jiyun Ha) ©EAAFP Secretariat

The meeting began with a short introduction by the EAAFP Chief Executive, Ms. Jennifer George. Ms. George emphasised the importance and potential impact that students, such as those from Michuhol High School, can make in shaping the local community and society. She discussed the EAAFP’s goal of connecting students to ecological conservation and encouraged them to actively participate in the event.

Ms. Jiyun Ha, External Relations and Foundation Assistant of EAAFP, presenting to the students ©EAAFP Secretariat

Ms. Jiyun Ha and Ms. Jieon Yoo, EAAFP External Relations and Foundation Assistants, gave a presentation focusing on the overview of the flyway, its key species, Flyway Network Sites (FNS), and the threats they face amidst the climate crisis and biodiversity loss. They provided detailed information about the Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) or BFS, which is a species known for its distinctive black spoon-shaped bill. These birds face threats such as habitat loss and degradation due to human activities and are categorised as endangered by the IUCN (Birdlife international, 2017). Earlier that day, the students visited Namdong Reservoir in Incheon to personally observe the BFS and several other bird species and learn about the efforts to protect them.

Ms. Jieon Yoo, External Relations and Foundation Assistant of EAAFP, presenting to the students ©EAAFP Secretariat

“Although the East Asian–Australasian Flyway (EAAF) is one of the busiest flyways, it is sadly endangered by pollution, illegal hunting, and other anthropogenic stresses,” said Ms. Yoo.

Ms. Ha and Ms. Yoo highlighted the world map demonstrating the migratory waterbirds’ path along the EAAF. These birds travel extensively along the flyway, beginning their journey in Alaska and Russia, passing through Asian countries like Korea and Malaysia, and ending in Oceania, including Australia and New Zealand. They emphasised that the responsibility for conserving these species does not lie within a single country but requires a concerted, global effort. Ms. Ha and Ms. Yoo suggested several ways for Korean high school students to get involved, such as participating in social campaigns, volunteering at the EAAFP, and birdwatching. Through active collaboration with young people, EAAFP aims to promote awareness and passion for saving migratory waterbirds and their wetland habitats.

Students actively participating in the short quiz. ©EAAFP Secretariat

Ms. Ha and Ms. Yoo concluded their presentation with a short quiz on migratory waterbirds and the EAAF. All participants received souvenirs from the Secretariat. The EAAFP hopes this presentation was informative and inspiring for the students.

Souvenirs that students received. ©EAAFP Secretariat

Ms. Kyle Esperanza Zuleta, Programme Officer of EAAFP (left), and Ms. Yoon Kyung Lee, External Relations Manager of EAAFP (right), ©EAAFP Secretariat

Next, Ms. Yoon Kyung Lee, External Relations Manager, and Ms. Kyle Esperanza Zuleta, Programme Officer, held an interactive session with the students. They shared their career journeys to joining the Secretariat and discussed what working at EAAFP means to them.

“For me, it all began with a deep-seated passion for nature… Having been involved in various youth movements for nature conservation since high school and working with many local and international organisations on environment-related activities, I was driven by a purpose to contribute to efforts in conserving and restoring our natural world,”

Ms. Zuleta recounted in her anecdote, emphasising the importance of youth action and their potential to contribute to solutions of global issues like climate change and biodiversity loss. She encouraged students to volunteer and participate in local and international forums and conferences. Through these experiences, she gained insights into global issues and met like-minded individuals working on similar advocacies.

Ms. Yoon Kyung Lee engaging with students. ©EAAFP Secretariat

On a different note, Ms. Lee discussed how a passion for conservation can start at any point in one’s career. Her journey to the Secretariat began in an urban setting in Korea and the U.S, and it was during her university studies in international relations that she discovered her interest in international environmental issues. Ms. Lee also shared her own insights from working in a developing country in Africa, noting that environment issues are closely related to other societal issues such as poverty, gender, and education. She encouraged the students to remain aware of and interested in the environment.

Ms. Jiyun Ha, Ms. Jieon Yoo, Ms. Kyle Esperanza Zuleta, and Ms. Yoon Kyung Lee (from left to right) holding a Q&A session. ©EAAFP Secretariat

During the Q&A session, all presenters answered questions that students had submitted to the Secretariat prior to their visit. Many questions focused on EAAFP’s activities, as elaborated below.

“How does EAAFP collaborate with companies, and what are the advantages of such collaborations?”

Ms. Lee and Ms. Zuleta addressed this question by explaining how partnerships with EAAFP are closely tied to implementing corporates’ Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals, which are increasingly relevant to companies today. They emphasised that collaborating with EAAFP can enhance a company’s reputation and provide additional promotional opportunities. However, EAAFP upholds strict corporate engagement guidelines and due diligence to ensure that these partnerships reflect genuine commitments to environmental protection rather than greenwashing.

Ms. Jiyeon Back (left) and Mr. Jihu Yun (right) share their experience together ©EAAFP Secretariat

“How can high school students contribute to the protection of migratory bird species?”

Ms. Ha and Ms. Yoo responded by stressing that even small actions, such as showing interest in migratory waterbirds, can significantly raise awareness. They underscored the importance of acknowledging the coexistence between humans and migratory waterbirds and the need to avoid exploiting natural resources. Mr. Jihu Yun, Administration and Finance Assistant, and Ms. Jiyeon Back, Communications and Programme Assistant, shared their experiences with birdwatching in high school, highlighting how it fostered their understanding of biodiversity’s importance.

Ms. Yeounhee Ahn, Deputy Chief Executive, concluded the meeting on a positive note by discussing the positive impact of conservation efforts on BFS populations visiting Incheon. Over eight years, their numbers increased. Ms. Ahn emphasised how the participation and awareness of younger generations are crucial in extending this positive influence and protecting not only BFS but also other migratory bird species that visit Korea.

After the session, students from Michuhol Foreign High School provided feedback to EAAFP. The Secretariat appreciates the heartwarming words and is extremely grateful for the feedback that the students shared. Here are some examples of what the students wrote:

“At the EAAFP Secretariat, I gained confidence that I could achieve my dream of becoming a business manager contributing to the environment … The visit to the EAAFP Secretariat, where I gained new insights and courage along with knowledge about migratory birds, will be an unforgettable memory in my high school life.”

“I admired the fact that everyone had a specific motivation and a clear set of values. It was very helpful to hear the stories of the interns at the end of the session to learn more about their majors and what programmes they did their internships through. It was a day that made me want to be a part of an international organisation in the future.”

“International organisations always seemed very distant to me but hearing that ‘by continuing to work on something related to your interests, you might find yourself working at the EAAFP’ made me realise that international organisations are not very far from our lives as I thought.”

“I was impressed by everyone’s common opinion that migratory bird conservation starts with something as simple as taking an interest. I realised that even if I don’t work at the Secretariat, as a student and a citizen, taking an interest in migratory birds and sharing that interest with others can still be valuable.”

Following is an infographic created based on the student’s feedback.

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