OCEAN LITERACY for BLUE CITIZENSHIP

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The Project

Table of Contents

 The project focuses on delivering capacity-building initiatives and mentorship to enhance Early Career Ocean Professionals’ (ECOPs) understanding of policy processes, enabling them to communicate scientific information persuasively and advocate for sustainable ocean policies. It empowers ECOPs and youth through hands-on policy engagement training and facilitates direct interactions with policymakers to apply their skills in real-world scenarios. The ECOP Programme and Global Ocean Literacy Task Team will support networking, showcasing ideas, and fostering synergies, thus enhancing professional development and nurturing a global community of informed and engaged blue citizens.

Background

Ocean literacy is essential for developing informed and engaged blue citizens capable of advocating for sustainable ocean management and influencing policies. Despite ongoing efforts, a gap persists in adequately preparing Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) for this role. This project aims to bridge that gap by enhancing Ocean Literacy for Blue Citizenship, fostering a sustainable, ocean-literate workforce that connects sciences, society, and policy. By involving ECOPs in decision-making processes and empowering them to become new leaders, the project equips them with the necessary skills for effective policy engagement and creates opportunities for interaction with policymakers. Aligned with the EU Green Deal, Mission Ocean objectives, and the principles of the Venice Declaration, this initiative seeks to protect marine ecosystems, promote a sustainable blue economy, and restore humanity’s relationship with the ocean.

Framework

Aligned with the EU Green Deal, Mission Ocean objectives, Ocean Literacy Principles, and the Venice Declaration, this initiative emphasizes ocean literacy and cognitive equity to address UN Decade Challenge 10. It focuses on bridging gaps in understanding and encouraging action to protect marine ecosystems and support a sustainable blue economy. By fostering equitable access to ocean knowledge, it empowers communities to engage in informed and impactful ocean stewardship.

Objectives

1. To enhance knowledge about policies and how the engagement of blue citizens can influence the policy change for a more sustainable blue economy, strong measures to protect/restore marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity.


2. To provide knowledge and encourage co-creation on strategic campaigns and coordinate actions from bottom-up to influence the revision of the International Ocean Governance agenda.

 

Components of the project

Training course
Awareness campaigns
Policy Engagement Opportunities

Training course

Awareness campaigns

We plan to develop awareness campaigns to address the gap in understanding among ECOPs and youth regarding their role in policy engagement. These campaigns will clarify the responsibilities of blue citizens in the policymaking process, focusing on active participation with policymakers and amplifying the voices of society, especially those from neglected communities. By highlighting the importance of political engagement as a means to promote environmental justice, uphold human rights, and ensure the health of the ocean—intrinsically linked to human well-being—the campaigns aim to engage both those already interested in the topic and those who may not have previously considered their potential contributions to more equitable policies and laws.

Policy Engagement Opportunities

Through various partnerships, we aim to empower ECOPs and youth with training opportunities (online, in-person and hands-on), direct interaction with policymakers, and mentorship to enhance their understanding of policy processes, enabling effective advocacy for sustainable ocean policies.

Resources

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Focal points

Project Manager

Facilitator and Communication Coordinator Europe

Facilitator and Communication Coordinator Africa

Partners

Sponsors

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Fill out the form and share the exciting opportunities with ECOPs.

Please note that we will not publish or disclose your personal details on our website. We will use these in case we would need to contact you regarding this opportunity you are submitting.

Details

Thanks for sharing this information with us! You have made a great contribution to support ECOPs from across the world in their studies, career and networking!

Share Your Opportunities with Us!

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Share Your Opportunities with Us!

Fill out the form and share the exciting opportunities with ECOPs.

Contact Details

Please note that we will not publish or disclose your personal details on our website. We will use these in case we would need to contact you regarding this opportunity you are submitting.

Opportunity

Share Your Opportunities with Us!

Fill out the form and share the exciting opportunities with ECOPs:

Contact Details

Please note that we will not publish or disclose your personal details on our website. We will use these in case we would need to contact you regarding this opportunity you are submitting.

Opportunity

Optional

Share Your Opportunities with Us!

Fill out the form and share the exciting opportunities with ECOPs:

Contact Details

Please note that we will not publish or disclose your personal details on our website. We will use these in case we would need to contact you regarding this opportunity you are submitting.

Opportunity

Optional