Virtual reality, social innovation and the preservation of ecosystems

At Campus Party Jalisco, Restore Coral shows how a headset can move public policy — and bring a dive to people who have never been in the water.

In 2015 the #RestoreCoral movement was created, driven by a group of young innovators who became conscious of the fate of the planet's oceans. We have developed a distinct socio-environmental approach, grounded in articles 22, 25 and 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

We are interested in developing social innovation that brings people closer to caring for natural resources, and spreads the understanding that they have to be protected.

On the eighth of July we had the fortune of taking part in the virtual reality stage at Campus Party Jalisco, where Roberto Cerda, the project's leader, gave the talk Virtual Reality, Social Innovation and the Preservation of Ecosystems. It was the second time Restore Coral has taken part.

Campus Party brings young people closer to innovation projects that seek a positive impact on society, showing them more creative ways to build ventures. Projects like Restore Coral aim to inspire them to mobilise in favour of preserving natural resources.

In Roberto's words, the session showed how virtual reality can create an exercise in influencing the federal environmental agenda — the only case of its kind in Mexico.

The talk also covered the sustainability model Restore Coral promotes: strategies for local communities, students and tourists to take part in restoring the reef, and an eco-tourism scheme that lets visitors contribute directly to the work.