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Portrait of Deyse: Championing youth empowerment in the Amazon Biosphere Reserve
Participating in the Samaúma Initiative has opened up my vision to see my participation as a young protagonist in a qualified way and also to meet and be inspired by other women who live the same reality (in the Amazon) and who fight for the same causes as me.
Deyse Kelly Santos, a 20-year-old from Presidente Figueiredo, Brazil, is becoming a significant advocate for environmental conservation and sustainable development in the Central Amazon Biosphere Reserve. As the daughter of rural farmers, Deyse's journey into environmental activism began through her involvement in the training programme for young leaders of the Rio Negro mosaic. This project is supported by the Vitória Amazônica Foundation and UNESCO as part of the Amazon Biosphere Reserves Project, and aims to empower young leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to drive positive change.
Driven by her commitment to effect positive change within her community, Deyse joined forces with other 15 young people to establish Rede Saium. This network consists of young individuals from the Central Amazon Biosphere Reserve who are dedicated to protecting the environment and promoting sustainable practices. Their collective efforts aim to address the environmental challenges faced by their region, promoting environmental conservation, sustainable development, and community resilience.
UNESCO, with the support of LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy), is strengthening its commitment to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in the Amazon region. This collaboration is part of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme , highlighted through the Amazon Biosphere Reserves Project. The project seeks to harmonise environmental protection with respect for Indigenous peoples and local communities, ensuring a sustainable future for the region. By involving young people from the biosphere reserves, the project addresses critical challenges such as deforestation, biodiversity loss and limited job opportunities in the region, thereby enhancing the resilience in the Amazon Basin.
Deyse Kelly Santos has exemplified this commitment through her active participation in meetings of the Brazilian Network of Biosphere Reserves and the Amazon Project. Her dedication and potential were recognized, leading to her selection for the training programme. This programme provides 12 months of English language training to eight young local students, enabling them to amplify their voices and enhance their knowledge and skills in environmental, social, and climate policy. Through this initiative, Deyse continues to advance her efforts in advocating for environmental conservation and sustainable development, becoming a more effective leader and representative for her community.
Before, I didn't have the courage to take part (in meetings in my community). I didn't think my voice mattered. In a more personal sense, Deyse says she was happy to have been selected to take part in the programme with Pour Le Brésil because it broadened her contact with young people from other parts of the Amazon and she is also training to be able to follow meetings, read documents relevant to her work in English in order to be more involved in international coordination.
‘English gives you another level as a person, as a young Amazonian I am very excited about the next steps in my professional life thanks to this opportunity
In addition to her involvement in local initiatives, Deyse is preparing to actively participate in the events of the IberoMAB Brazilian Youth Network in 2024, seeking to strengthen her network of contacts and expand her impact internationally.
As Deyse continues her journey towards a more sustainable future for the Amazon, UNESCO and its partners remain committed to supporting and empowering emerging young leaders who are key to the positive transformation of the region and the world within the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Through stories like that of Deyse Kelly Santos, we can glimpse a more promising and sustainable future for the Amazon and for future generations. Her dedication and efforts illustrate the vital role that young leaders play in fostering environmental conservation and sustainable development, providing hope and inspiration for communities worldwide.
