Bruce beach festival promotes biodiversity and environmental education for parents and children
Promoting Biodiversity in Guinea-Bissau
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The United Nations and the Government of Guinea-Bissau joined forces to hold the first Bruce Beach Festival from 18 to 20 April 2025. Under the theme “Guinea-Bissau: Land of Biodiversity,” the festival organized by the Ministry of Environment, Biodiversity and Climate Action, brought together 4,000 participants, including community members, local authorities, UN agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and tourists.
Held on the scenic Bruce Beach on Bubaque Island, within the UNESCO-designated Bolama-Bijagós Biosphere Reserve, the three days festival was a vibrant celebration of Guinea-Bissau’s rich natural and cultural heritage, promoting both environmental conservation and public health awareness.
The festival provided a platform for the participating UN agencies (UNICEF, World Food Programme and UN-Habitat) to engage with the public on food security and urban development.
Under UNICEF coordination, the UN promoted several initiatives including a dedicated tent that offered educational materials, interactive sessions, and awareness activities on climate and environment, WASH, Protection for children and youth.
In partnership with the Institute of Biodiversity and Protected Areas (IBAP), International Union for Nature Conservation (UICN), the Ministry of Tourism, Regional Partnership for Coastal and Marine Conservation (PRCM) and others, the festival also promoted dialogue on health, hygiene, and civic responsibility, highlighting issues such like plastic pollution, and biodiversity loss through community-driven solutions and intergenerational learning.
The engagement and awareness activities encouraged participants to adopt safe and consistent behaviors and practices, including proper sanitation and responsible waste disposal, to help prevent disease outbreaks. The use of latrines was highlighted as essential for protecting water sources and safeguarding children’s and community’s health.
In partnership with local NGO KONHENGUENA, the construction of eight climate resilient and low water wasting latrines on-site demonstrated how community-led sanitation infrastructure projects can model good practices for both adults and children.
More than just a cultural celebration, the Bruce Beach Festival served as a powerful call to action — blending tradition with environmental stewardship and civic engagement. By uniting parents and children in shared learning, it ignited a deeper sense of connection, pride, and responsibility toward their environment and community.
The United Nations in Guinea-Bissau remains committed to supporting initiatives that empower families and communities—instilling values of environmental responsibility, public health, and civic duty in the next generation.
