Angelique Pouponneau

"It was when I started observing and connecting with what’s under the sea that made me realize there’s no going back — there’s no way you’re throwing a plastic straw in a river after you’ve seen what’s there,"

"I never thought I would need to be able to tell stories in less than 500 words – a skill I learned in primary school but these short stories are particularly effective in communicating about the ocean."

"Seeing projects yield results, such as projects where we make new recordings that had not been done before, or projects where the beneficiaries are able to generate a modest income as a result of the new skill they have acquired. These are all very rewarding to hear about and makes me feel that I am really making a difference"

"My parents inspire me to work harder. They taught me that life wasn’t meant to be easy and that everything you want you must work very hard for. My mother always says there really is no substitution for hard work. They both motivate me to work hard and improve but with different approaches. My father strokes my ego but always offers constructive criticism and my mother keeps me grounded and humble as she always advises me to remain true to who I am and what I believe in."

"My main responsibility is increasing membership to the Council and with a special focus on groups that are often marginalised such as young people with disabilities, the LGBTI community and young people without access to internet. I also am in charge of events planning for the Council and the main event is the Commonwealth Youth Forum that will be taking place in 2018."