Date and time
Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October 2023
9am – 4:30pm
Price
Weekend: £30
One Day: £20
Location
Chester Zoo
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Our Youth Symposium returns for its third year on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October 2023 and we’re inviting young people from across the country to share their experiences, knowledge and passion for conservation! This event is designed for 16-35 year olds, providing a fantastic opportunity to hear from other young people across the world of conservation.
Tickets include access to the zoo and the Symposium, all talks and workshops as well as an optional guided zoo tour. Light refreshments and lunch are provided within the ticket price. Here’s the programme across both days:
09:15 – 10:00 Registration
10:00 – 11:00 Welcome and Chester Zoo speakers
11:00 – 11:40 Keynote speakers
11:40 – 12:00 Break
12:00 – 13:00 Workshops (Choice of 3)
13:00 – 14:30 Lunch and zoo tours
14:30 – 16:00 Presentations (Choice of 3)
16:00 – 16:15 Break
16:15 – 17:00 Panel Discussions
Keynote Speakers
Saturday 21 October – 11am
Amy Meek – Kids Against Plastic
Amy and her sister, Ella, launched an award-winning campaign in 2016, called Kids Against Plastic (KAP), which has since become a charity. KAP has a bold vision – to empower young people to become agents of change on environmental issues close to their hearts, all while building essential life skills and self-confidence.
Amy has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the negative effects of plastic on the environment, and empowered others to take action. Kids Against Plastic now have a team of over 280 young people around the world as part of the KAP Club. It’s Be Plastic Clever scheme has had over 1800 schools and numerous cafes and businesses involved since its launch in early 2019. Plus, the sisters have collected over 100,000 pieces of plastic after developing a litter logging app with mapping agency, Esri.
Sunday 22 October – 10.30am
Aneeshwar Kunchala – Save the animals
Aneeshwar is an eight-year-old conservationist who uses his art to inspire and share an important conservation message to young people and adults around the world. He started this remarkable journey after seeing a picture of a dead whale on the beach with its stomach filled with plastic. This incident made him want to do something for the natural world, because the water sources are littered, the soil and air are polluted. Animals are losing their homes, and some species are close to extinction due to deforestation and poaching.
Aneeshwar is determined to do his part by raising awareness through his poems, paintings, and documentaries. He loves spending time outdoors watching birds and believes that every animal has its own special superpower. He has already won multiple national and international awards for his work, inspiring millions of people to protect the planet and its living beings.
Sunday 22 October – 11am
Inka Cresswell – ‘From Science to Cinema: My Evolution as an Ocean Advocate’
Embark on an inspiring journey with Wildlife Filmmaker and Photographer, Inka Cresswell, as she takes you behind the scenes of her extraordinary career in ocean conservation. With a background in Marine Biology and a passion for capturing the beauty of our oceans, Inka’s storytelling has led her to explore marine protected areas around the world, coral restoration initiatives, and even explore the world of shark tagging.
Join her as she shares tales of her adventures and collaborations with leading scientists and camera professionals worldwide. Through captivating visuals and heartfelt narratives, Inka delves into the world of wildlife filmmaking and photography, offering advice to aspiring conservationists. Discover the art of making conservation accessible, and be inspired to join the wave of change in safeguarding our precious marine ecosystems.
OUR TEAM OF EXPERTS WORK IN SIX REGIONS AROUND THE GLOBE – REPRESENTING SOME OF THE PLANET’S MOST BIODIVERSE HABITATS. Discover more about our SCIENCE AND CONSERVATION work.