Prada And UNESCO Join Forces To Teach Gen Z About Ocean Sustainability
Oceans cover 71 per cent of the Earth's surface, and contain 97 per cent of our planet's water, but how much do we really know about the largest ecosystem in the world? Not a lot would probably be the answer, which is why Prada is teaming up with UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission on an educational programme aimed at raising awareness among the younger generations about ocean sustainability and responsible consumption.
From February to May 2020, high school students in 10 cities around the world – Berlin, Mexico City, Johannesburg, Lisbon, London, Milan, New York, Paris, Shanghai, and Venice – will take part in this “Sea Beyond” project, which is centred on four main modules. Topics will include the ocean and its importance, the problem of marine pollution (particularly with regards to plastics), and the fashion industry’s role in helping to protect the seas. The final lesson will see students create their own awareness campaign about ocean conservation, and the winning team (judged by an international jury composed of members representing Prada and UNESCO, among others) will have the opportunity to present their ideas during the Second United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon in June of this year.
The programme comes hot on the heels of Prada’s Re-Nylon initiative, a line of accessories made using ECONYL® nylon, obtained through the recycling and purification process of plastic waste collected from the oceans, fishing nets, and textile fibre waste. The luxury house also inked a first-of-its-kind loan last year tied to sustainability-related targets, which reflects the continued commitment of the label to protecting the Earth and its resources.
