Reflecting on the Milestones: High Seas Youth Ambassador Francine Elisaia Shares
This blog post was authored by Francine Elisaia, a 2025 EarthEcho High Seas Youth Ambassador.
Francine's campaign involved community outreach and collaboration with local communities, youth groups, and other youth ambassadors. Kickstarting the year, Francine attended the Our Ocean Conference as a High Seas Youth Ambassador, an opportunity that allowed her to speak at several events and attend side events where she expanded her networks and shared conversations with other influential ocean champions, while elevating youth perspectives on the High Seas Treaty at the global level.
Over the course of the year, Francine built on her role not just as an EarthEcho High Seas Youth Ambassador but as an Ocean Champion, too, under the Samoa Ocean Strategy. She connected with communities from rural villages and spoke on coastal/inshore MPAs and how communities could benefit from protecting the high seas, despite Samoa being sea locked.
Another milestone event was the first screening of the Ocean with David Attenborough film to high level guests including CEOs/ACEOs from Government Ministries, guests from NGOs and CSOs across Samoa, etc. The event was a success, and no one left without having an emotional response evoked. It also opened doors for future collaboration for the second screening of the film that happened later in the year. The second special screening targeted local community members and youth groups from around Samoa's capital city of Apia. For this event, Francine collaborated with Manta Trust Ocean Ambassador, Hanisisevae Stierman, along with the Congregational Vaiala Church, as well as Samoa Conservation Society. In a similar manner, the film was shown to the audience with presentations and speeches by youth ambassadors beforehand. The second screening also showcased submitted art pieces from the 'Pasefika for High Seas Art Competition' -- guests were able to view the artwork and reflect on both the art and the film after the screening was done.
Francine was also invited to speak as a panelist at the Apia Global Youth Shapers' 'Local Conference of Youth 2025'. Sharing insights in high seas advocacy and amplifying messaging and support for the race for ratification. Similarly, also attended the 'Waves of Change' virtual UNOC3 Side Event where Francine connected with youth beyond the Pacific and from all over the world.
“The EarthEcho High Seas Ambassador program has opened new doors for me to grow as an Ocean Champion and overall environmental steward. From speaking at large gatherings overseas to hosting events for local communities within Samoa, this program has enabled me to raise awareness on the high seas and the Treaty and to help amplify and rally greater support for the ratification of the Treaty by Samoa and other Pacific countries that have not ratified yet either.”
