Seychelles at Heart

Meet Vic.
A young Seychellois scientist who grew up in Baie Lazare, and someone who really, deeply cares about our islands.

We feel incredibly lucky to have voices like hers. Her passion speaks for itself - in her bravery to stand up for what she believes, and stand for something bigger than herself. Not just for today, but for generations to come.

There’s something powerful about the way she shows up, and the care she brings to what she does.

We’re so grateful for you, . And so inspired by you.

Before the elections, before the noise, this work was already happening.

Friends of Aldabra had been speaking up since November 2024, nearly a year before any political attention.

This was never about politics.
It didn’t start because of who was in office, and it hasn’t changed depending on who is.

The intention has always been the same, to protect something that is deeply valuable, not only to Seychelles, but to the world.

And that hasn’t shifted.

You can watch the full conversation on the Seychelles at Heart YouTube channel.

What does it mean to be a scientist in Seychelles?
In this clip, Vic speaks about the reality of holding knowledge, experience, and perspective, and not feeling able to share it openly.

She reflects on how difficult it is to imagine spending years building expertise, only to feel that your voice cannot be fully expressed without consequence.

It’s something we’ve heard consistently, through many of our conversations, often shared in confidence.

Not everyone feels free to speak.
And that raises an important question.
What kind of space are we creating for truth, for expertise, and for honest dialogue in Seychelles?

You can watch the full conversation on the Seychelles at Heart YouTube channel.

Remote, wild, and largely untouched, Aldabra remains one of the most biodiverse coral atolls on Earth. For decades, Seychelles has protected this extraordinary place - not only as part of our own natural heritage, but as part of the world’s shared heritage.

It invites a deeper question about how we measure value.

Some places are simply too precious to risk.

You can watch the full conversation on the Seychelles at Heart YouTube channel.

Before many Seychellois even knew what was happening on Assomption Island, construction had already begun.

During the Commission of Inquiry, it emerged that the airstrip was expanded, heavy machinery had been used on the island, and sections of its ancient sand dunes had been destroyed, all in an environment known for its ecological sensitivity. Without meaningful public consultation or a proper environmental impact assessments.

Permission for these works had been granted by the Ministry of Environment, raising deeper questions about how such decisions were made and how environmental protections are applied.

Moments like this invite us to reflect on something bigger.

How much transparency should exist around major developments?

And who ultimately decides what happens to our land?

You can watch the full conversation on the Seychelles at Heart YouTube channel.

In this clip, Celina Chien shares how the journey that became Friends of Aldabra first began, not as an organisation or a campaign, but as a feeling that something important needed to be protected, and a desire to find a way to tell that story.

This is a glimpse into how that journey started.

You can watch the full conversation on the Seychelles at Heart YouTube channel.

Land is never just land.
Around the world, people are asking deeper questions about who controls land, who benefits from it, and how decisions about it are made.

In this clip, Celina explains the concept of land grabbing; a term used to describe situations where land or natural resources are transferred or developed in ways that raise questions about ownership, power, and long-term impact.

It’s a complex issue, and one that many countries are grappling with today.

Who decides what happens to our land?

You can watch the full conversation now on the Seychelles at Heart YouTube channel.