Empowering emerging leaders in marine conservation: the growing swell of inspiration

Abstract

Young marine conservation leaders can create and mobilize change when they are inspired, empowered and actively involved in decision-making processes. This paper provides a journey overview of the opportunities, challenges and commitments for young conservation leader empowerment within the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and its Commissions to create change. Young conservation leadership contribution to the development and delivery of the 2014 IUCN World Parks Congress highlights the drive by this cohort to inspire and mobilize change. Global marine conservation initiatives being led by transformative young leaders in partnership with senior leaders with the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas Young Professionals (WCPA YP) group and the recently established IUCN WCPA Young Professionals Marine Task Force are actioning change. This paper highlights a critical need for the global conservation sector to invest in current and emerging young conservation leaders for creating change. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.