EU WeMED_Natour Pilot Trip in Mauritania: young pupils at the discovery of sustainable activities and practices in their home country

The EU WeMED_NaTOUR Project is a transnational project co-funded by the EU EMFAF programme (a fund managed by CINEA), which focuses on developing sustainable educational tourism opportunities for youth, particularly in remote coastal destinations of the West.

As part of the EU We MED_ NaTOUR project activities, Mauritania's National Tourist Office organised discovery trips for children on 2nd and 3rd October to promote blue tourism, awareness of sustainability, the importance of conservation efforts, and respect for local culture and heritage.

Over the two days, 10 students from the TLC International School embarked on activities in Nouakchott revolving around the local flora and fauna and the local culture. They had the opportunity to experience the importance of sustainable and responsible tourism hands-first. Activities included a guided visit to the Awleigatt National Park, where they discovered the region's biological diversity, explored native plants and learnt about the park's conservation efforts.

On the second day, the children travelled to the port of Tanit, where they discovered marine products, observed traditional fishing techniques and discussed with local fishermen sustainable practices put in place to protect species and anticipate environmental threats.

Pupils also took part in a beach clean-up day, which helped to raise their environmental awareness. The children made no secret of their satisfaction with these instructive trips and particularly enjoyed the interactive learning activities at the basis of the EU We MED_ NaTOUR’s ‘learning by visiting’ approach.

EU WeMED_NATOUR is specifically targeted to the 6 to 17 age groups, focussing on working to develop children's life and social skills and contributing to shaping a generation that is aware of the importance of the environment. Through these initiatives, the Mauritania National Tourist Office is keen to promote blue tourism and make children the environmental ambassadors of tomorrow.

As part of its efforts to promote tourism, the Mauritanian National Tourist Office recently organised an intensive training course for a group of children, with the aim of involving them in raising awareness of blue tourism and the preservation of the marine environment.

Source: ONT (Mauritania)

Reference contacts

ENIT - Communication Manager

Francesca Cicatelli: francesca.cicatelli@enit.it

Elena di Raco: elena.diraco@enit.it

X23 Srl - Coordinator

Amal Muntaser: amal.muntaser@x-23.org

Eleonora Ambrosi: eleonora.ambrosi@x-23.org