Young Samoan leaders and community members gathered this week at the Vaiala EFKS for a special screening of the David Attenborough documentary Ocean, aimed at raising awareness of the high seas and ocean conservation.

The event was co-organised by High Seas Youth Ambassador Francine Elisaia of Vailele Uta, Satupaitea, and Faleasiu, and Samoa's Ocean Ambassador Hanisisevae Vai-Stierman. It attracted members from the Vaiala and Apia EFKS congregations, as well as other community members, including Japanese Ambassador Suzuki Ryotaro.

"Without the ocean, there is no us. I think really just empowering youth to take ocean action, but also to inspire them to create their own initiatives," said Elisaia, who represents the Oceania Pacific region under the High Seas Alliance and EarthEcho International. "Everyone can be an ocean ambassador if they put in the work to protect our oceans."

Vai-Stierman, whose ties to the Vaiala community were key to the event’s organisation, said the screening complemented her own art exhibition project, which also emphasises local environmental awareness. "My goal was to inspire the youth, the grassroots people of surrounding villages. I just want other people to get involved," she said.

The collaboration brought together two complementary projects, combining film and art to educate and inspire. “It just worked in our favour that we both wanted to organise similar events,” Elisaia said. 

Both Elisaia and Hanisisevae emphasised the message of empowerment and environmental responsibility. "We both wanted to empower the local youth. You don't have to be like us. Like, we have the title of ocean ambassador. But everyone is an ocean ambassador," Elisaia said.

Reverend of Vaiala EFKS, Iese Uele, who watched the film, highlighted the vital role of the ocean in Samoan life. “This is our life. So it's important to us every day in terms of living,” Reverend Uele said. He also stressed the importance of educating youth: “I think it's better to teach them when they are young…if you have that instilled in their young minds, then it's something that they will grow up with them.”

Elisaia and Vai-Stierman hope the event marks the beginning of more local engagement in ocean conservation and encourage Samoa to consider ratifying the high seas treaty, which will enter into force internationally next month.