Ocean Literacy Hub - Africa
Credits: ECOP Cameroon, Hadeer Ahmed, Kevin Oyugi and Ocean Champions Project
Credit: Unknown source/Unsplash
Table of Contents
Background
- Overview of Ocean Literacy:
Ocean literacy is crucial for understanding the interconnectedness of human activity and ocean health. It empowers individuals and communities to make informed decisions about the use of marine resources, fostering stewardship and conservation efforts. The ocean plays a vital role in regulating the Earth’s climate, supporting biodiversity, and sustaining livelihoods, particularly in coastal regions of Africa. - Current Challenges:
African oceans face numerous challenges, including overfishing, plastic pollution, habitat destruction, and the impacts of climate change such as rising sea levels and ocean acidification. These issues threaten marine biodiversity and the livelihoods of millions who depend on healthy ocean ecosystems. Furthermore, there is a lack of awareness and understanding of these challenges, highlighting the urgent need for targeted educational initiatives. - Need for a Hub:
Currently, there is no centralized platform uniting all Africa dedicated to promoting ocean literacy. The hub will serve as a vital resource for disseminating information, best practices, and research, fostering a community of learners and advocates for marine conservation. By creating a network of stakeholders, we can amplify efforts to address the pressing issues facing our oceans.
Aims and Objectives
To empower individuals and communities across Africa with the knowledge and tools to understand, appreciate, and protect the ocean, fostering a culture of stewardship and sustainable management of marine resources.
Objectives:
- Educational Outreach:
Develop engaging educational materials tailored to diverse audiences, including students, teachers, and community members. The hub will aim to enhance knowledge of ocean ecosystems, promote sustainable practices, and encourage active participation in marine conservation. - Stakeholder Collaboration:
Facilitate collaboration among various stakeholders—governments, NGOs, research institutions, and local communities—to share knowledge, experiences, and strategies for effective ocean management and conservation. - Resource and opportunities Sharing:
Develop a comprehensive repository of resources, including research papers, case studies, lesson plans, and toolkits, ensuring easy access for educators, policymakers, and the public. Additionally, democratize access to opportunities such as fellowships, grants, and other professional development initiatives.
Projects and Activities
Coming soon!
In April 2024, the ECOP Programme took part in the Ocean Literacy side event for the Ocean Decade Conference. Visit the Ocean Literacy Series playlist, which was screened at the event, on the ECOP Programme YouTube channel to see some of the Ocean Literacy Initiatives taking place all over the World.
In November 2024, the ECOP Programme and ECOP Africa were invited to showcase ocean literacy initiatives in Africa at the CommOCEAN Conference in Malaga. This short video features Hadeer Ahmed working with schoolchildren in Egypt.
Leadership Liaisons for Ocean Literacy in Africa
Sophia Laarissa
Chris P. Nwachukwu
Get in Touch
If you have any questions or inquiries, or if you are interested in helping and contributing to our regional working group for Ocean Literacy in Africa, please don’t hesitate to contact us at: ocean.literacy_africa@ecopdecade.org.
Resource Materials
Regional Collaborators and Initiatives
Our Ocean Literacy Hub is reviewing the ocean literacy landscape in Africa and taking stock of ocean literacy organizations, initiatives, and projects going on across the region. We welcome new collaborations, ideas and joint activities/projects to collectively develop regional ocean literacy awareness and contribute to an inclusive expansion of the movement in Africa.
If interested or just curious to learn more, please reach out to us at: ocean.literacy_africa@ecopdecade.org.