Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 34, Number 3, 1 Malaki 2017 — KUPU EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR ENGAGING YOUTH [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

KUPU EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR ENGAGING YOUTH

KUPU, a Hawai'i-based conservation and youth education organization, received The Corps Network's 201 7 Project of the Year Award in Washington, D.C., Iast month. The award recognizes the critical role KUPU played in engaging youth at the 201 6 IUCN World Conservation Congress heldin Honolulu last September. KUPU'svariousyouth-based programs engaged morethan 1,500 students from more than 20 countries during the 1 0-day congress. The programs included 1 0 educational events, as well as an IUCN Students' Day, whieh attracted 1 ,000 participants from around the state. "Hawai'i set a precedent for engaging youth in the IUCN Congress," said Randall īanaka, president of the IUCN Nahonal Host Committee. "KUPU's leadership development program is second to none, and with their experience and partnerships, lastyear's Congress was the biggestand mostsuccessful youth engagementinitiative in the history of the IUCN. Through their efforts and our partners', we were able to accomplish one of Committee's critical priorities of building the next generation's capacity, while integrating our unique culture and values." - Photo: Courtesy ofKUPU