06/06/2026
Children do not become problem-solvers, innovators or leaders overnight. They become them through opportunities to explore, question, experiment and contribute.
The Kids Climate Innovation Pacific (KCIP) collaborated with ITWC to facilitate workshops from 3-4 June 2026 at the 3rd Veivueti Kids Ocean Conference, organised by International School Suva (ISS).
For KCIP, the experience reinforced the importance of creating opportunities for children to think. Through Mangrove Mysteries: Can You Solve the Ocean Secret? and Mangrove Mission: Can You Save the Coast?, students investigated clues, analysed scenarios, worked in teams, debated ideas and made decisions that affected ecosystems, communities and coastlines.
One of the highlights was listening to students talk through their ideas and decisions. Their responses showed a genuine willingness to think about the impacts decisions could have on both nature and the people who depend on it.
The future of Fiji and the Pacific will not be shaped by knowledge alone. It will be shaped by young people who can think critically, collaborate with others, communicate ideas, solve problems and adapt to change. These are skills that must be developed long before adulthood. We designed the workshops to create real life scenarios to encourage decision-making, teamwork, leadership and the ability to think through real-world challenges.
At KCIP, we believe environmental learning should do more than teach children about the world around them. It should help them build the confidence, curiosity and problem-solving skills needed to contribute to that world. Innovation begins with curiosity, leadership begins with participation and confidence grows when children are trusted with meaningful opportunities to learn, explore and contribute. Reflecting on the conference, we were reminded that the next generation of Pacific innovators, leaders and problem solvers are already here.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the organisers, partners and students whose participation, collaboration and enthusiasm made this conference a meaningful and inspiring experience.
