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Oceans and fisheries
  • News announcement
  • 31 January 2022
  • Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
  • 1 min read

European Commission and IOC UNESCO join forces for stronger ocean literacy in Europe

Blue Ocean Wave © EpicStockMedia / Adobe Stock
Blue ocean wave © EpicStockMedia / Adobe Stock

Great news from the world of ocean literacy: as of the 1st February, the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO will launch a partnership in support of the EU4Ocean coalition, the EU-wide ocean literacy initiative set up by the European Commission.

The reason? Education and knowledge give us power to understand the world around us and to make the right decisions. Likewise, ocean education give us power to understand the link between our actions and our oceans' health - and thus act more responsibly towards the blue planet and its resources.

Sharing the common goal of fostering ocean literacy among citizens of all ages, the European Commission and IOC UNESCO team up to maximize the impact and visibility of EU4Ocean, thereby promoting ocean education across the EU and beyond.

Background

The new partnership will inscribe EU4Ocean and its communities - namely the Platform of members, the Youth for Ocean Forum and the Network of European Blue Schools - under the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

2021 marked the beginning of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, aiming to reverse the decline in ocean health.  IOC UNESCO received the mandate by the UN General Assembly to coordinate the implementation of the Ocean Decade, inviting the global ocean community to work together in ocean science and technology to co-design and co-deliver the ocean we need for the future we want!

More information

IOC UNESCO webpage

EU4Ocean

The European Commission - DG MARE and the IOC UNESCO have concluded a collaboration agreement on Ocean Literacy

Details

Publication date
31 January 2022
Author
Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries