Generation17 Young Leader José Francisco Ochoa noticed something that couldn't be ignored: most ocean and climate science existed only in English, leaving millions of Spanish speakers out of the conversation and solutions. In 2023, he and three colleagues founded Academia del Océano—one of the first ocean education centers in Ecuador to teach entirely in Spanish. The young biologist is now training a new generation of scientists and conservationists through hands-on programs on Ecuador's Pacific coast and virtual programming, reaching students across 10 countries. Since 2023, more than 10,000 students have taken part in Academia del Océano's programs, and over 500 have earned university certifications in ocean science.
Generation17 is an initiative in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) that aims to harness technology to elevate the voices of young leaders around the globe who are working to achieve the Global Goals. Established by the United Nations in 20...
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