national NODE -
netherlands
Introducing ECOP Netherlands
The Netherlands is home to a diverse ocean science community. The ECOP Netherlands Node aims to foster a motivated and inclusive community of Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) coming from the Netherlands (including the Caribbean and Europe) or situated in the Netherlands (addressed as the Dutch ECOP Node).
Vision
Our vision is to create an inclusive and collaborative network that amplifies the voices and contributions of ECOPs in the Netherlands. By bridging the gap between different generations of ocean professionals, we aim to enhance ocean sustainability and stewardship, contributing to the global effort for supporting the ocean and highlighting its importance.
Mission
Our mission is to empower ECOPs in the Netherlands by providing opportunities for networking, professional development, and collaboration across various sectors. We strive to promote horizontal communication where every opinion matters and encourage intergenerational collaboration with experienced ocean scientists, NGOs, industry and academia.
Some important highlights include:
- Building an Inclusive Space with Horizontal Communication: Maintain an inclusive space that celebrates diverse backgrounds and experiences, ensuring everyone feels valued and heard, while fostering a culture of horizontal communication where the opinions of all ECOPs are valued, promoting a better cross-collaboration between all different areas of the Netherlands, between the node and other organizations.
- Networking: Facilitate communication and collaboration within the Dutch ECOP node and more to support projects and initiatives.
- Intergenerational Collaboration: Encourage collaboration between ECOPs and older generations of ocean professionals from different working backgrounds.
- Public Engagement: Create opportunities for collaboration on topics where ocean science can reach and engage the general population.
- Support and Growth: Support each other and leverage the opportunities presented by the UN Decade of Ocean Science.
By working together, we aim to elevate the role of Dutch ECOPs in National and global dialogue on ocean sustainability, ensuring their voices and ideas contribute to the health and future of our oceans, and thus also contribute to the global network of ECOPs.
Become a member of the Dutch ECOP Node!
We are excited to welcome you to our community and look forward to working together to advance ocean science and sustainability. Thank you for your interest in joining the ECOP Dutch Node! Fill in the form via the button below to join.
Contact: netherlands@ecopdecade.org
Meet the coordination team
Kjeld Werther
Kjeld Werther is studying marine sciences, ecology and behavior at the University of Utrecht, with a great interest in the ocean, animal rights and climate justice. Fueled by the thought that every animal has the right to live, he has already worked at multiple environmental organisations. Currently he is part of the Sustainable Ocean Community of the University of Utrecht and the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ). Moreover, he is fighting for climate justice through the International Court of Justice in the team of World’s Youth for Climate Justice. At last, he has founded the WWF NL Youth Advisory Council to make conservation more inclusive. For him, it’s all about the combination of study and implementation. That is why he cannot wait to further develop the Dutch ECOP node and the European ECOP community!
Mariana De Botton Falcón
Goddey Atitsogbui
Goddey Atitsogbui currently works as a Consultant for the Aquaculture Stewardship Council and a Partnership Associate for GearUp Africa. He has a master’s degree in Aquaculture and Marine Resources Management from Wageningen University in the Netherlands.
Hailing from the coasts of Ghana and growing up as a fisherman- depending on the ocean, he is very passionate about the ocean and the conservation of its resources, especially through literacy & capacity building.
Peter Puskic
Marta Ferraro
Hailing from the coasts of Ghana and growing up as a fisherman- depending on the ocean, he is very passionate about the ocean and the conservation of its resources, especially through literacy & capacity building.