Participating in the 2025 Ocean Challenge has been an inspiring and eye-opening experience. What struck me most throughout the forum was the diversity of voices and perspectives coming together with a shared passion for the ocean. I learned that solutions to environmental challenges are not only rooted in science and policy, but also in collaboration, creativity, and community engagement. Hearing stories from other young people reinforced the idea that no action is too small—whether it is raising awareness, leading local initiatives, or pursuing research, every effort contributes to a larger wave of change.
One key takeaway for me is that youth have a unique role in shaping the future of our planet. We carry fresh ideas, strong motivation, and a sense of urgency. My message to other young people is this: do not underestimate your influence. Whether you are a student, activist, artist, or innovator, your skills and voice can make a real difference. The ocean connects us all, and by working together across borders and disciplines, we can build a more resilient and sustainable future.
Looking ahead, I hope to see stronger commitments to protecting marine ecosystems, reducing plastic pollution, and addressing climate change with the seriousness it deserves. I dream of a future where humanity and the ocean thrive together in balance, where we treat the ocean not just as a resource, but as a partner we respect and care for. This challenge has strengthened my belief that such a future is possible if we continue to act boldly, consistently, and with hope.

As a member of the pH7 team, reaching the finals is truly remarkable. Even though we didn't place, the exchange and learning we experienced far outweighed the value of the title. From the very beginning, when we formed a team, unfamiliar individuals came together to research and propose solutions for the common environment and planet. To having our proposals reviewed and advance to the finals, where we competed against experts from around the world and our own talents, we were all working together for the survival of the ocean. It was truly gratifying. We are also grateful to the Ocean Affairs Council for hosting this forum, which gave us such wonderful memories and reinforced our belief in the power of youth to bring about change and hope. Reaching this finals has provided us with valuable experience and knowledge. Not only were we able to focus on our own theme, "The Impact of Ocean Acidification on the Livelihoods of Divers," but we also had the opportunity to learn about the issues being addressed by other groups, such as how they identified environmental problems and proposed solutions through innovative designs. Some even developed fully functional machines and equipment. This was truly eye-opening and inspiring. The organizers also invited participants from various countries, creating an atmosphere of international exchange. Through interacting with them, we not only improved our English communication skills but also gained a deeper understanding of different cultures' concerns and approaches to environmental issues. This experience was more than just a competition; it was an opportunity to learn and grow.
I'd like to thank my pH7 teammates, my supportive family, my mentor, everyone who worked with us along the way, and, of course, the International Ocean Affairs Council for organizing this event. Although the results were not ideal, this ranking will not stop us from cherishing the marine environment. From forming our team to participating in the competition, we've learned a lot. My teammates taught me about communication, collaboration, and teamwork. The countless experiments and dozens of hours of land art experience taught me about perseverance and hard work. Finally, meeting young people and experts from around the world at the Ocean Forum was truly eye-opening and rewarding. Although this journey has come to an end, our commitment to and action for the ocean is just beginning.
This was my third and final Ocean Forum participation in my three years of high school. Unlike my previous roles, this time I simply served as a little angel, accompanying and assisting my siblings. Although we didn't win any prizes, the greatest reward for me wasn't the award itself, but witnessing their growth. From initial nervousness on stage, unsure of how to master gestures and stage presence, to finally being able to hold their heads high and present themselves with the utmost sincerity and dedication, I'm truly grateful for the transformation. As a senior, I'm grateful to have been there for them through this journey, and I've learned to step back and simply support them. I don't know if I'll have the opportunity to participate again in the future, but I believe their growth will continue, and they will leave a lasting mark on ocean protection and self-expression.

The biggest takeaway from the 2025 Ocean International Youth Forum was stepping out of my comfort zone and taking on tasks I normally wouldn't dare. Although we've been involved in the Cigarette Butts Movement since Grade 6 and are now entering our third year, I was daunted by the prospect of speaking to elite groups about environmental action in English. We'd been preparing our English presentation for months, and at first, I felt overwhelmed by the many new vocabulary words I couldn't understand. However, with the meticulous guidance of Teacher Kaizhu, I've learned most of them and truly felt that what I learned in English class is truly useful in real life!
It felt like a dream, and we were honored to win first place. But even more importantly, we had the opportunity to learn how people from different countries and organizations are contributing to the planet. It was deeply moving and gave me hope for the future!
The Indian team was a special invite, and they were very active in the discussion, constantly sharing their actions. I'm thrilled that we'll have the opportunity to meet via video conference in the future. Finally, I'd like to thank Teacher Kaizhu for her meticulous guidance and the parents for their time and effort in accompanying us throughout this competition! This forum challenge isn't something we can complete just by the two of us. We truly need the help of parents and teachers to complete the Ocean Challenge! Together, we can change it!

We are incredibly happy and honored to have won the bronze medal in this forum competition. This honor is not only a recognition of our team's long-term efforts, but also an encouragement to continue promoting the concept of land crab conservation. We understand that the spirit of research lies in continuous exploration and practice. This experience has deepened our understanding of the important ecological role of land crabs and rekindled our passion for protecting the environment.
Furthermore, this competition not only allowed us to connect with friends from different countries but also gave us the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of conservation experiences and challenges in various regions, broadening our global perspective. Preparing for the competition also improved our communication and presentation skills, which will be of great benefit to our future environmental work.
Finally, we would like to express our special thanks to those who have supported us. Your encouragement and assistance have enabled us to stay on this path and continue our efforts in environmental protection. Thank you for all your help. Let us work together to create a better tomorrow.

I participated in this forum and learned a lot about other environments, as I had only studied tidal flats and rivers until now and didn't know much about other environments. It was a great opportunity to deepen my knowledge and learn about the current global environment. Also, the current marine issues are more serious than we think. I hope that we can think about what we can do now and take action. I also hope that we can reduce global warming and improve the environment, even if it's just a little at a time.

As someone involved in marine research, I am extremely pleased and honored to have advanced to the Ocean Challenge 2025 finals. Although I participated from the northern part of Japan, I was able to recognize that all of the presentation themes are common global issues. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to share time with such thoughtful individuals, who shared a variety of practical initiatives and flexible ideas for problem-solving.
The core theme shared by all presentation teams was the desire to improve the current marine environment, even if only slightly, and was led by young people to promote environmental conservation among people and local communities. Their creative efforts to disseminate information and gain support from those around them clearly conveyed their desire to make coexistence with diverse living organisms a brighter future. While raising awareness of local environmental issues remains a major challenge, I sincerely hope that we will not give up on creating our own future and will continue to build an ever-richer environment.

We are honored to present our vision of "FishFull - A Sustainable Fisherman's Map" at the 2025 Ocean Forum finals. This has been a profound learning and practical experience for our team. During the preparation process, we uncovered astonishing data insights, which made us realize that the ocean's sustainability crisis is not just an ecological issue, but also a serious "information disconnect." This forum provided us with the opportunity to connect with experts from various fields and further strengthened our resolve to use technology and data as a bridge to connect consumers, fishermen, and the industry.
We would like to take this opportunity to share with all young people who care about the environment: While the challenges of sustainability are immense, opportunities for change often lie in the unknowns and inconveniences around us. When we discover problems, don't be intimidated by our own insignificance. Whether your background is in technology, design, business management, or communications, your knowledge and creativity can be a key force driving social progress. Just like our team, we are combining AI, business models, and user experience design to find innovative solutions for the ocean.
We are full of hope for the future of the ocean. We hope that in the near future, "sustainability" will no longer be a label to be sought after, but a common market norm. Through tools like the "Sustainable Fisherman's Map," we hope to enable fishermen to earn better returns and greater respect through data, and for consumers to easily become part of ocean conservation with every purchase. We believe a "blue economy" that balances environmental conservation and economic development is possible, and the commitment of young people will be the core driving force behind accelerating the realization of this blue vision.

Our team had a wonderful experience competing in the 2025 Ocean Challenge. As a group committed to sustainability and ocean conservation, we were proud to contribute our ideas to such an important cause. Despite the challenges of working across time zones, we collaborated closely and pushed through together. This event not only strengthened our teamwork but also helped us develop valuable skills in creating pitch decks and approaching problems with creativity. One of the highlights was learning from and hearing the innovative ideas of other teams, which made the experience even more inspiring.

Thank you to the Ocean Challenge for giving us this opportunity to share our ideas and work. We met many outstanding teams at this forum and saw how they conceived and designed their work, as well as their passion and concern for ocean issues. We are also grateful to the judges for their recognition. We will continue to strive for excellence and contribute to ocean sustainability and industrial development.

The Ocean Challenge ended with my heart pounding. This experience was unbeatable. At first, I sat down, and then, one team after another, took the stage to share their experiences. Wow! Everyone's knowledge was like a huge wave, crashing into my brain! About marine life, about waste, about all the efforts to protect the ocean! So many ideas! And I met new people! They came from different places, but we all shared the same love for the ocean! We talked, we laughed, and we shared cookies. It was like a giant family, a blue family! Everyone had a common goal, now. Thank you Ocean Callenge! A place full of hope! This was a 100% rewarding experience for someone who loves the ocean! See you next year!

Participating in the 2025 Taiwan Ocean International Youth Forum Ocean Challenge was not only a competition for us, but also a journey of cross-disciplinary collaboration and deep learning. In preparing and presenting our “Liuqiu Island Smart Marine Conservation and Sustainable Tourism Action Plan,” we came to understand the challenges Liuqiu faces, including waste generated by tourism, coral reef degradation, and disturbances to sea turtles. To address these issues, we explored innovative solutions that combine technology, art, and education—such as using IoT sensors to collect real-time marine data, creating marine debris art walls and naked-eye 3D displays to convey conservation messages, and developing interactive educational tools to enhance visitor experiences. At the same time, initiatives like the “Beach Currency” mechanism and “Eco-Friendly Turtle-Watching Hotspots” encouraged both the community and visitors to engage in conservation in fun and meaningful ways.
Through this cross-school and cross-disciplinary collaboration, we learned from diverse perspectives and experienced the power of teamwork. Most importantly, this journey reminded us that youth are not merely the hope of the future, but the actors of today. We are determined to carry the inspiration gained from the forum into practice, gathering more collective strength to safeguard our oceans.

I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the 2025 Ocean Challenge. It was an incredible and rewarding experience for me and the team.

I was one of the two observing teams that was invited to attend the Ocean Challenge. I represented Rugulopteryx team from the International School in Monaco.
It was truly inspiring to see students from around the world present creative solutions to the shared global challenge of marine conservation.
I especially valued observing the judges’ interactions with participants — a reminder of how crucial mentors and educators are in inspiring students to tackle complex challenges creatively, to assess long-term sustainability (particularly if AI is involved) and to think critically about the local and broader impact of their projects. It was a real exercise in systems thinking, where every piece is interconnected!
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Ocean Affairs Council for inviting me to participate in this wonderful event.

It’s a valuable experience of attending the Ocean Challenge and participate a role in it. I will do my best to contribute to the society. I will need to use my power and energy to influence others, too.

It’s such a golden opportunity to stand here and compete with others on the 2025 Ocean Challenge stage. The overnight event hosted here was also precious and unforgettable though I think that we didn’t do that well on the stage.

I love how this year we interacted with nature and learnt so much about Taiwan’s environment. I was surprise to see the similarities between my country Belize and Taiwan.

Ocean challenge is a very inclusive platform that brings people all around the world who cares about the ocean. Today at the conference, we heard a lot of different technology innovations and people trying to make a difference.

Keep going, and good luck!

I stumbled upon this competition and figured it would be the perfect platform to showcase what my teammate and I have been doing the past year. This experience adds another page to our marine journey and I’m beyond grateful.

This event allowed me to meet many people who are also interested in ocean issues. It was also an opportunity for me to sleep in the aquarium, which was super cool to sleep with the fish! Additionally, it gave me a chance to showcase and practice my English communication skills. Whether I win or not, it is a valuable experience.

The Ocean Challenge featured many presentations from university students and professional questions from the judges. In summary, I gained a lot from this trip. I also want to thank the organizers and hope to participate again next year.

I am really glad that our team came all the way from Malaysia to participate in this Ocean Challenge. All the staffs were very helpful, cheerful, friendly and very knowledgeable. We will bring back many good memories and connections we made here ♥️.

It’s been a honor to be a part of the event, especially along a bunch of great scientists and creators that came up with so many good ideas and inventions. I gained so much take-ins simply from the presentations. Thank you AITK, OAC!!!

I’m happy to attend this event which is great and full of wonderful people with knowing many interesting people wish we will come back next year.

Impressive! Thank you for organizing this forum so that we can exchange and learn from different people’s ideas and valuable experiences.

I liked everything except that all the judges ask questions at once, instead of one by one. It's disorienting to memorize all the questions.

The Ocean Challenge, a collaborative initiative by the OAC and AIT, exemplifies the impact of joint efforts in developing a governance model that is more inclusive and attentive to the needs of our oceans. It provides a special space for young people to meet, exchange ideas, and embrace diverse viewpoints. I'm truly thankful for the judges' thorough and expert feedback during the event, which has been incredibly beneficial for everyone involved. This effort not only encourages active participation from Taiwan's youth but also ensures an open line of communication with the central government.

Securing the 2nd prize in the 2023 Ocean Challenge with "Pure Ocean," as Team "Plastic Chaser," marked a pivotal chapter in our academic journey. This experience went beyond a mere competition, it was an eye-opening endeavor into the complexities of environmental conservation. We extend our gratitude to the Ocean Challenge organizers for providing a platform to showcase our innovation, it connected us with sustainability enthusiasts, fueling our passion and establishing meaningful connections. Acknowledgment with the 2nd prize is humbling and invigorating. We earnestly encourage future participants to seize the opportunity and join the 2025 Ocean Challenge.

I am a graduate student from National Taiwan University, and I am thrilled to have participated in the 2023 Ocean Challenge. During the event, I was delighted to learn about the integration of my research with environmental concerns and the crucial role it plays in addressing ocean crises. This event not only symbolizes innovation and commitment but also serves as a call to action for the younger generation, encouraging us to utilize ocean science to tackle challenges. Through proposals, implementation, and realizing ideas, we witnessed the infinite possibilities for sustainable development of our oceans.

The Ocean Challenge gave me a great experience, offered me opportunities, networking, and environmental awareness. As I/we won the competition, the happiness motivated and inspired me to keep working hard on ocean conservation. Thank you.

Ocean Challenge marked our team's inaugural competition focused on ocean themes, evoking a blend of excitement, anticipation, and a yearning for success. Despite not clinching awards, the event left us with enduring memories and valuable lessons. In terms of teamwork, we learned to stay informed through the competition website, initiate preparations well in advance, set clear goals, prioritize individual tasks within the team, and cultivate skills like responsibility, solidarity, communication, and time management. Regarding product development, we discovered the importance of strategic planning, defined roles, budgeting, extensive research, innovation, and relevance to address ocean crises and promote sustainability. Presentation skills were emphasized, urging us to create clear, creative, and concise slides, focusing on the core product and pertinent issues while avoiding verbosity. Our primary challenge was language proficiency, hindering effective communication. Despite not knowing Chinese and having only moderate proficiency in English, we navigated interviews with composure, taking careful notes on key points raised by the judges. In conclusion, we express gratitude to the organizing committee for their dedication in coordinating this event, as being part of a community passionate about ocean awareness and sustainability has been a privilege for our team.

Collaborating with my team members was a rewarding experience, as we navigated through challenges and brainstormed innovative solutions together. It was a remarkable experience, inspired me to continue advocating for the protection of our oceans.