national NODE -
Belgium
Photo credit: Alex Vasey/Unsplash
Introducing ECOP Belgium
The Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) Belgium node is a vibrant community dedicated to taking action for our ONE ocean, while creating and sharing opportunities in this Ocean Decade.
We are here to connect you with ocean advocates and empower you to make a difference in protecting our ONE ocean. From networking events to conservation initiatives.
What is being part of the ECOP Belgium node?
Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) are identified as a person in the early stage of their career, in any field related to the ocean. This means less than 10 years of experience. ECOPs all have a different background. As the ECOP Belgium node, we welcome anyone passionate about the ocean to join the network.
The network can help you connect with others, seek learning opportunities or you can actively take part in events and activities organised by the node. You do not have to be a member in order to contact the node. We welcome anyone who needs advice or help on any ocean-related topics. For questions and/or suggestions, please contact the coordinators.
Vision
Empowering the next generation of ocean professionals in Belgium to lead with innovation and transdisciplinary approaches, fostering a deep sense of diversity and inclusion, and creating a sustainable blue economy while protecting and restoring our oceans.
Photo by: Arthur Deviaene
Mission
The Early Career Ocean Professional Belgium Node is committed to contribute to the Ocean Decade by:
- Fostering Diversity and Inclusion: Creating a platform that celebrates and embraces diversity in all its forms, ensuring that voices from different backgrounds are heard and valued.
- Engaging Generations and Youth: Inspiring and empowering young professionals and future leaders to become advocates for ocean conservation and sustainable practices.
- Leveraging Expertise and Experience: Providing opportunities for both seasoned professionals and emerging talents to share knowledge, collaborate, and mentor one another.
- Spreading Ocean Passion: Sparking enthusiasm and curiosity about the ocean among all stakeholders, enhancing ocean literacy where everyone knows their relationship with the ocean and what can we do for it.
- Bridging Science and Policy: Facilitating dialogue between the scientific community and policymakers in order to collaborate towards the restoration and preservation of ocean ecosystems.
By embracing these principles and working collaboratively, we aim to create a sustainable and thriving future for our oceans and the communities that depend on them.
Priority areas
What are we up to?
We are participating at the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona. Meet us at the ECOP programme events.
Date: To be confirmed
World Ocean Day celebration – 8th June (tbc). Contact us (belgium@ecopdecade.org) if you want to co-design an activity 🙂 Expedition Coastiline (Ocean Decade project in development)
ECOP Belgium coordinators
Juana Jimenez
Marine biologist and a strong advocate for science-driven sustainable development. In her current position as International Liaison Officer at the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) in Belgium, she focuses on finding and implementing synergies between local, regional, and international initiatives and policies. Such as the Ocean Decade, which has fostered and strengthened bilateral and triangular cooperation Part of her role includes the Secretariat of the National Decade Committee for Belgium and in VLIZ’s role as Decade Implementing Partner.
Arthur Deviaene
Marine biologist, who is enthusiastic about data-driven solutions and adaptive ecosystem management strategies, with a passion for coral restoration and marine mammals. Until now, the research and activities mainly revolved around the East Mediterranean. Where he did partake in numerous beach cleanups as well as organizing reef clean-ups as diving adventures, where he hopes to have started a positive ripple effect and inspire many others. The next projects are set to be in the Coral Triangle.
Phaedra Van Kerrebrouck
Educator in Ocean Literacy and sailor. Phaedra develops workshops and projects on ocean-related topics. Currently, she takes up a position at Horizon Educatief vzw. An educational non-profit organisation. Their motto: making everyone “crazy about the ocean”. They do this through activities such as Crab Fishing, Seashell Identification, Cooking with Sustainable Fish … Phaedra is the creator behind the Expedition Coastline project. Expedition Coastline is a one-year course in which pupils conduct local fieldwork (citizen science) and accept a challenge linked to the Ocean Decade Challenges (taking action). The project will be implemented in multiple schools across the Belgian Coastline from September 2024 onwards. Phaedra’s main values are: “Creativity” and “Connecting”.
Partners
- National Decade Committee of Belgium
- JPI Oceans – Lavinia Pomarico & Lisa Picatto
- Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ)
- Oceans & Lakes (Vrije Universiteit Brussel, University of Ghent, University of Antwerp) – Liesbeth Pinti
- Ghent University, Marine Biology Research Group – Mario Gaitan
- Horizon Educatief vzw
Do you want to be a partner? Contact us: belgium@ecopdecade.org
