Ten young people from different countries and cultural backgrounds, a historic Dutch sailing ship and eighteen days of sailing across the Atlantic Ocean. These are the elements behind The Ark of Change, a project conceived by Giovanni Caccamo that invites us to imagine a future built on peace, dialogue and collective responsibility.
Departing from Cape Verde on 2 March 2026 and heading towards Paramaribo, Suriname, the voyage took place aboard the Oosterschelde, a sailing ship dating back to 1918. The route symbolically retraces the Atlantic passage of the transatlantic slave trade, connecting Africa and South America and transforming the ocean into a space for encounter, remembrance and reflection on peaceful coexistence.
Ten Young People, One Shared Vision for the Future
At the heart of The Ark of Change are the stories and perspectives of ten young people, brought together for a journey of dialogue inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. During the voyage, the participants worked on drafting a Charter of Values, addressing key issues affecting the future of younger generations: human rights, peace and disarmament, the climate crisis, mental health, gender identity and our relationship with the digital world.
The participants are Plestia Alaqad, from Palestine; Seán Binder, from Ireland; Francesco Cicconetti, from Italy; Federico Gambedotti, with Italian and Eritrean roots; Drukmo Gyal, of Tibetan origin; Andrew Johnson Raphael, from Malawi; Larissa Ayumi Kuramae Izioka, with Brazilian, Japanese and Dutch roots; Manisha Maharjan, a member of Nepal’s Newar community; Chris Mansa La Porte, from France and of Haitian descent; and Giovanni Caccamo, the project’s creator.
The sailing ship was transformed into a floating work of art thanks to Mimmo Paladino, who created forty artistic flags inspired by the words and values of change expressed by the young participants. The voyage was also documented by photographer Jamie Hawkesworth.
The experience will become a film produced by Masi Film and directed by Luc Jacquet, the Academy Award-winning filmmaker behind March of the Penguins. Scheduled for release in 2027, the film will tell the story of the voyage through the participants’ personal experiences, connecting their individual journeys with the major challenges of our time.
The Role of Youth and Future
The Ark of Change is part of Youth and Future – Parola ai Giovani APS, an association and cultural movement founded by Giovanni Caccamo to collect, promote and give visibility to the ideas of younger generations.
The initiative revolves around a simple yet powerful question: “What would you change about the society you live in, and how?” By encouraging dialogue among young people from different backgrounds, Youth and Future creates a space for listening and participation, where individual ideas can contribute to a shared vision of the future.
The Ark of Change represents a new chapter in this journey: an experience in which sailing, artistic expression and filmmaking become tools for reflecting on our individual and collective responsibilities towards humanity and the planet.
The Ark of Change Exhibition at Palazzo Reale, Milan
From 17 October to 1 November 2026, Palazzo Reale in Milan hosts Youth and Future, an exhibition dedicated to the international project conceived by Giovanni Caccamo.
Held in the Sala delle Cariatidi, the exhibition explores the Youth and Future journey through works by leading contemporary artists, the voices of younger generations and a selection of previously unpublished photographs by Jamie Hawkesworth, documenting the Atlantic voyage of The Ark of Change.
The exhibition also features a video installation by Academy Award-winning director Luc Jacquet, alongside works by Mimmo Paladino, Emilio Isgrò and Michelangelo Pistoletto.
Promoted by the Municipality of Milan and organised in collaboration with Youth and Future – Parola ai Giovani APS and other cultural partners, the exhibition is free to enter. It offers visitors the opportunity to discover a project that brings together art, dialogue and a shared commitment to shaping the future.
One Ocean Foundation: Supporting Change Through Blue Forest
One Ocean Foundation has contributed to supporting The Ark of Change, recognising the value of an initiative that connects culture, awareness and responsibility for the future.
In recognition of its support, the Foundation received a special folder featuring artworks by the artists involved in the project. The folder is available for purchase, offering an opportunity to take part in this initiative while turning the value of art into a tangible contribution to marine conservation.
Proceeds from the sale of the folder will support One Ocean Foundation’s activities and, in particular, Blue Forest, an initiative launched in 2023 to restore and protect marine forests, with a particular focus on Posidonia oceanica meadows.
Through restoration activities, scientific research, innovative technologies and environmental education, Blue Forest works to protect ecosystems that are essential to marine biodiversity and ocean health. Posidonia meadows provide habitats for numerous species, help protect coastlines from erosion and play an important role in carbon absorption and storage.
Supporting the The Ark of Change art folder means contributing to a project that uses art and the ideas of younger generations to inspire a different future, while also helping fund concrete action to protect the ocean.
For information about purchasing the art folder and supporting One Ocean Foundation’s activities, please contact the Foundation.