A new initiative offered by the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute will allow young people to show off their journalistic skills.

Everyone between the age of 11 and 25 is being encouraged to participate in the Young Reporters for the Environment journalism competition.

A BUEI spokeswoman said: “YRE allows students to use three media tools – writing, photography and film – to engage their audience in local environmental topics whilst building constructive journalism and investigative skills.”

This is the first year that the programme will be offered in Bermuda.

Some young people who participated in the BUEI’s day camps recently explored YRE through photography.

The spokeswoman added: “Photos captured by our campers will be submitted into the YRE annual international competition, which is assessed by an international jury and recognised on a global scale.

“This year, submissions will highlight environmental pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change.”

More than 450,000 young people in 44 countries participate in YRE and more than 19,000 pieces of work are submitted to its journalism competition every year.

To help prepare for the contest, Geminii Photography will host a workshop at BUEI tomorrow, from 4.30pm to 5.30pm.

The spokeswoman added: “We encourage all students with an interest in the environment and who love to write, take photos or create short films to e-mail ecoschools@buei.bm for information on the workshop and the competition.”

To learn more about other educational programmes offered by BUEI, visit its website.