National Day Exhibition

The exhibition provided an opportune avenue to disseminate information on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as projects undertaken by UN Youth Seychelles (UNYS) to the general public. Visitors of all ages were keen to learn more about the organization and received words of encouragement from well-wishers. Additionally, the Vice-President Ms Raghavi Naidu and the Corporate Secretary, Ms Darya Klymenko, enlightened the listeners of SBC radio on the projects of UNYS as well as how interested individuals can join the movement!

Our SDG Academy Design

​Lets learn a bit more about Green Designs

Green Design:
Green landscape such as gardens offers additional space for activities as seating under the trees. This allows students to spend time outdoors which encourages well-being of the students. Green spaces on the roof is an urban garden which encourages responsible consumption and production. Healthy-eating habits and farm to table concepts could be taught to the students which could in turn be disseminated in their own gardens.
Green roof provides natural insulation which reduces energy costs as it absorbs heat and act as a natural insulator for buildings, reducing energy needed to provide cooling and heating. It also absorbs storm water by decreasing surface run-off, mitigating the risk of flooding in urban areas and decreasing the need for expensive drainage stems. A natural surrounding created in the middle of an urban area allows people to engage in well-being. Furthermore, it is expected to improve air quality over time.
Overall, the green space allows students to learn subjects such as biology or geography through a hands-on learning approach as opposed to traditional methods of teaching. Moreover, cycle paths allow students and faculty to follow an active lifestyle as well as to contribute towards lower carbon footprint.

Affordable and clean energy:
The leaf shape of the building lives up to its namesake as it absorbs the sun and rain which is then transformed into energy to keep the building running which is akin to the natural process of photosynthesis. This virtuous process reduces the energy consumption of the building particularly when other aspects are explored. For instance, the solar panels placed on the roof generates clean, renewable energy once again reducing the carbon footprint of the academy. Solar panels entail a low maintenance cost with a 25-30 years’ warranty.
Furthermore, the leaf design is conducive to having a water harvesting system where the rain water is deposited to a catchment area in the front of the building which reduces dependency on traditional sources of water. This system is extremely beneficial as is can used for irrigation, flushing toilets or it purified into potable water.

Financial literacy:
Two Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) will be offered for students which aims to transition towards cashless transactions which is highlighted as a facet of economic development. It contributes towards keeping students financially inclusive as students would not have to leave campus to travel all the way to their banks. Thus, it is cost effective and time efficient whereby the school can also benefit from charging a fee so the banks can install their ATMs at the school.

Improved role technology:
Free wifi provides learning beyond walls as it provides opportunities for personalised learning fun games and interactive activities. It is cost effective especially considering many students use their own mobile devices. Therefore, schools could minimise costs associated with acquiring technology by encouraging students to bring in their equipment and ensuring free wifi is provided to the students.

Waste management:
Clearly defined for glass, paper, plastic, cans and organic waste bins will be placed around the campus for different kinds of waste, and make sure the bins are appropriately used. This makes waste management and recycling is easier. In addition, clean and clutter-free living and working spaces are guaranteed.

​The overall design shows that each individual component of the building has spillover effects on other consequences. This is akin to global partnerships as partnerships are often more effective as opposed to singular actions. The main purpose is saving energy and reducing costs in order to ensure the school's budget goes more towards quality education rather than administrative demands of the building. When funds are primarily injected into student development and innovative ways of thinking we can ensure that this will have greater output in educational performing while also benefiting the environment and cost of building.

Immersive Exhibition Don’t break the bridge, bridge the gap’ Immersive Exhibition

Seychelles’ First Immersive Exhibition Competition which was conceptualized and organized by a young entrepreneur, Mr Raymus Laurence was opened under the theme ‘Don’t break the bridge, bridge the gap’. Other collaborators included Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC), University of Seychelles, AIESEC and UN Youth Seychelles (UNYS). The competition put a highlighted the importance of SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Investment in infrastructure such as roads, electrical systems, water and sanitation systems, information and communication technologies are of national importance and necessary to achieve higher social and economic development. The Sustainable Development Agenda must be incorporated across all national development plans and projects. One way to encompass SDGs was to raise awareness and educate citizens. Thus, participants shared their sustainable visions by creating Marquettes to showcase the adaptation of existing and construction of new infrastructure technology that would allow Seychelles to embark on the road to meet SDGs 9 and 11.
The competition was split into 3 categories; Secondary, Post-secondary and Non-Governmental Organisations and were won by Anse Royale, SIT and UNYS correspondingly.

Participation in Immersive Exhibition

UN Youth Seychelles (UNYS) participated in the first Seychelles Immersive Exhibition & Competition on SDG 9 and 11 whereby, the vision for an ideal sustainable school had to be created. An SDG Academy was presented and won first prize in the NGO category. The SDG Academy encompassed sustainability in as many ways as possible as each design element targets specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). More importantly, with respect to innovation, recycling was used to bring about the message that re-use, reduce, or recycle in addition to replicating eco-system cycles in the design of the building is feasible. As such, innovation and infrastructure was at the forefront of the design as they were critical in creating a sustainable system. The academy embodied sustainability in its design and its campus so that students can learn the ways they can act sustainable and also be encouraged to live it.

Youth Consultancy - Visit of Daniel Gordon & Aarushi Shahejpal

UN Youth Seychelles (UNYS) was honoured to receive Mr Daniel Gordon and Ms Aarushi Sahejpal as Youth Consultants and Ministry of Education Interns. Mr Gordon, from New York, USA had attended the Youth Assembly at the UN in 2016. His experience in organising Model United Nations (MUN) in his school and various other activities helped with devising a programme proposal to boost kids with collaborative qualities, understanding, and diplomacy skills. Ms Sahejpal, from California, USA participated in the Youth Assembly at the UN in 2016. She headed a NGO called Truly Able in five states in USA which was later expanded to India where a curriculum to bridge technology and education was approved. She was also the 4th Woman debator in US at 17 and won many debate awards. Her work focused on reviewing the current curriculum and analyse how SDGs could be integrated across schools.


Both consultants made a series of presentation to teachers, students, and others about the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). Their presentations on the SDGs were enjoyed by students of all ages: from Anse Royal primary school, Seychelles Institute of Technology, Anse Boileau secondary school, La Digue school and Maritime school. Such exchange provided a basis of learning from global peers whereby, our own initiatives were also shared. It ensured that the SDGs are considered and implemented earlier on in the educational systems at an early stage.


Member of UN Youth Seychelles (UNYS), youth consultants and interns at the Ministry of Education met with the Minister for education on Friday 21 July, 2017 along with other Ministry of Education officials. The President of UNYS, Ms Annarose Clarisse, was also present at this meeting and all discussions were geared on possible improvements at schools and the way extracurricular activities and access to technology impacts the students’ learning. Interns met with the Ministry of Education to give their findings along with the UNYS members whereby, technology and extracurricular activities were stressed as being critical elements of learning.
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Launching Ceremony of the Immersive Exhibition

Seychelles’ First Immersive Exhibition Competition organised by RAYUNITECT in collaboration with UN Youth Seychelles (UNYS), AIESEC Seychelles, Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC) and Miss Seychelles 2016 was launched! During the launching, UNYS provided insight on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the audience who were keenly looking forward to the exhibition later in the year!

The Constitution & Human Rights - SDG 16 Workshop

February 1, 2017

UN Youth Seychelles (UNYS) was honoured to have Honourable Bernard Georges as the guest speaker at the first ever Human Rights and Constitution Lecture encompassing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16. SDG 16 is geared towards the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, the provision of access to justice for all and building effective, accountable institutions at all levels. One of the crucial pillars in attaining peace and understanding is for individuals and society as a whole to know and understand one’s fundamental rights. The lecture educated Seychellois on the history, importance and value of constitutions from both a global and local perspective. Having provided an overview of the constitutional journey, the lecture focused on international human rights and the 25 rights enshrined in the Seychelles constitution. Participants left the session with a solid foundation towards better understanding our constitution.

Youth Consultancy - Visit of Hezha M Khan

Hezha M Khan, a prominent youth leader from Kurdistan, met several distinguished personalities during her visit to the islands. She met Dr. Erna Athanasius, former Minister of Health and current Ambassador for women and children, where the different challenges faced by women in Seychelles and Kurdistan were discussed in addition to how women discrediting other women remains prominent in both countries. Through two meet and greet sessions organised by the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC), she interacted with the National Youth Center and 20 local youth activists. She was to introduced to youth activities conducted in Seychelles whilst also getting an avenue to share her personal experiences from Kurdistan.

Seychelles' First SDG Conference 

December 9th 2016
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The conference held on December 9th 2016, was organised in partnership with Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC) and UN Youth Seychelles (UNYS) and attended by more than 200 people. Youth and the general public were introduced to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and empowered to take advantage of available opportunities towards the achievement of the SDGs. It was highlighted that the SDGs are meant to save the world for the next generation, and placing youth at the centre of this agenda is essential in that journey. Thus, enabling youth to lead projects at an early stage today ensures benefits are only multiplied and kept in progress to achieve those goals and to also equally sustain whatever targets are achieved. The importance of passing down knowledge to mould other leaders and to think globally whilst acting in the local arena were some key takeaways towards living in a sustainable society.​