On 7 and 8 June 2024 I attended (the very first) Ocean Literacy World Conference in Venice.
It was a very last minute call for me to head to this conference, and I did so completely self funded. It took a whole day to travel there and back, and for only 2 days in Venice (for some it would have been crazy), but I’m stoked I was able to contribute to the “Venice Declaration” - a document that is being delivered to the organisers of the next UN Ocean Conference in Nice in 2025, with guidelines on how to bring ocean literacy into the agenda.
It’s been 20 years since ocean literacy emerged and the concept has changed so much. Hearing about how indigenous knowledge, emotional connection and community resilience are all considered to be part of the framework these days, and that it’s evolving in a way that actively promotes inclusivity and accessibility, strengthens my resolve to remain committed to this field.
The participatory process of working on the declaration together was also very much welcomed. Not only was I able to collaborate with other Early Career Ocean Professionals to make our point about supporting and championing ECOPs, who are integral to building an equitable and sustainable blue economy, but our suggestions were included in the final version of the Declaration.
We are advocating for current ECOPs, who are future leaders in the ocean sector, to be included in the decision-making and high-level discussions which relate to our shared ocean.
Read the full Declaration here: https://oceanliteracy.unesco.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ENG_Venice-Declaration-for-Ocean-Literacy-in-Action.pdf
It was truly fantastic to meet more ECOPs in person and be part of this dynamic and diverse International group! I also loved hearing from the Sea Beyonders, including @coralgardeners founders Tits and big wave surfer Maya, and the weekend was topped off by an exhibition and event at @oceanspaceorg, which featured the amazing artist: @___laurewinants