Rosie Casey represents Loretto at the UN at Peace Boat Blue Innovation Reception

Peace Boat is an international NGO that creates and implements global educational and advocacy voyages for peace and sustainability. On a visit to the port of Honolulu on September 2-3, 2023, Peace Boat hosted a special “Blue Innovation Reception & Partnership Expo for the SDGs” event to raise awareness and strengthen partnerships to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on ocean and climate action. Loretto at the UN was represented by co-member Rosie Casey, who was also joined by several local activists from the Honolulu Catholic Worker (Wallyhouse).  

In addition to the Partnership Expo, attendees witnessed a special signing ceremony of the “Pledge to Our Keiki.’ The pledge – a commitment from the passengers to honor Hawaii’s sacred land, environment, and children (“keiki”) – signals the beginning of a new era of sustainable tourism that could be a replicable model for the rest of the world. The signing ceremony was organized in collaboration with nonprofits Kanu Hawaii and Blue Planet Alliance, with the aim to build momentum towards a more sustainable and just future for all, sharing best practices for responsible ocean stewardship and achieving the SDGs.

Peace Boat also presented information about their forthcoming Ecoship, a transformational programme to construct the planet’s most environmentally sustainable cruise ship. Ecoship will be the platform for Peace Boat’s round-the-world educational voyage carrying 8,000 people per year; host exhibitions on green technology in up to 100 ports per year; and serve as a floating sustainability laboratory contributing to research on the ocean, climate and green marine technology. The ship also will create awareness and encourage active engagement with the challenges embodied in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). (source here)

Rosie’s initial comment about Peace Boat was “what a great ship, concept, carryout, & plans for the future!”  We look forward to hearing more reflections from Rosie in a few weeks!