The UN Ocean Decade Conference marked a significant milestone in advancing global understanding and engagement with our ocean. The side event, titled “Diving from Local to Global Ocean Literacy: Exploring, Sharing, and Developing Successful Practices to Know, Feel and Join the Living Ocean,” was held on 9 April at the Institut de Ciències del Mar – CSIC.
Co-organized by EuroGOOS, the event brought together experts and enthusiasts to discuss best practices and barriers in mainstreaming ocean literacy across various sectors and lifestyles. The interactive session featured examples from business, sports, activism, and oceanography, fostering a comprehensive dialogue with the audience on integrating ocean literacy into everyday life.
EuroGOOS has been at the forefront of promoting ocean literacy through our dedicated working group, which now includes 25 organizations with both national and international scopes. Our activities under the Ocean Decade, including #Scientists4OceanLiteracy project, a policy brief on Ocean Literacy in Oceanographic Agencies, and an online repository of ocean literacy resources, have been instrumental in spreading ocean education and awareness.
At the event, a dedicated session addressed Ocean Literacy in Science, featuring three experts from the EuroGOOS Ocean Literacy Working Group. The panel delved into the concept of “ocean intelligence” and explored the diverse ways of acquiring and disseminating marine knowledge. This panel was one of four, each featuring a broad spectrum of disciplines and occupations contributing to ocean literacy initiatives.
The event was a resounding success, highlighting the importance of ocean literacy in shaping a sustainable future.
Download the event’s report prepared by the UN ECOPS programme:
