Between Past and Future: Towards the Ocean Generation

Within the context of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe in close collaboration with the project office of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC) organided a one day event titled “Between Past and Present: Towards the Ocean Generation” to celebrate this year’s World Oceans Day on 8 June in La Maddalena, Sardinia (Italy). The event focused on accentuating the importance of the ocean to the planet, critically involving and educating young people on this issue. It was an eventful day of roundtables talks, debates and interactive activities to communicate the invaluable role of the ocean in our lives. The goal was to inspire a conscious generation for the future and the ocean.

Guests and speakers in attendance came from a variety of professions; researchers, scientists, institutional representatives, seafarers, chefs, entrepreneurs, actors, journalists, and artists. The event kicked off with introductory speeches, among them from Vladimir Ryabinin, IOC-UNESCO Executive Secretary and Assistant Director General of UNESCO; Franco Bernabè, President of the Italian National Commission for UNESCO; and, Rosalia Santoleri, President of the Italian Oceanographic Commission. The event was livestreamed from Sardinia with guests and speakers at the location.

Topics of discussion centred on the crossroad of the past - focusing on the historical characters who contributed to the development of ocean science - and the future, addressing emerging issues such as active citizenship and citizen science projects, new materials for the world of fashion, the role of sport in safeguarding the ocean and the Blue Finance sector. It was clear that better knowledge of the ocean is prerequisite to achieving sustainable development within the framework of the 2030 Agenda. Ocean Literacy entails the synergy of differing fields like science, art and cooking in raising awareness about the state of the ocean and encouraging calling actions that promote the sustainability of the oceans. With 70% of the planet covered in water, it serves as a constant reminder of the essentiality of preserving, studying and enhancing the ocean. The ocean is a source of livelihood and affects the wide-ranging aspects of human life from science to music and from economics to culture. Our health and survival depends on a healthy ocean, and so far, the Mediterranean Sea, which hosts diverse marine species, is in an alarming state. Following the launch of the Manifesto of the Ocean Decade in 2020, the campaign continuously calls for active participation towards the achievement of the Ocean Decade’s objectives.

In her opening remarks, Ana Luiza M. Thompson Flores, Director of UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture, described the World Oceans Day as a momentous occasion and noted Sardinia as a symbolic location of this year’s celebration. “The Mediterranean is globally renowned for its spirit, traditions and rich cultural heritage. As many of you already know, these institutions are included within UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage unit. This event will ratify their significance and highlight how a majority of Italian World Heritage Sites are intrinsically linked to the sea”, she said. “That is why it is important to use this opportunity of the UN Decade of Ocean Science, not only to advance our knowledge of the ocean, but to improve the science-based interface policy, promoting education for sustainable development and to protect our cultural heritage.”

The event announced several projects that are due to be implemented in Italy during the Ocean Decade. For instance, Progetto Mediterranea, a study and research sailing expedition in the Mediterranean Sea and Save the Wave project together with the Save the Wave Game Challenge, which is a programme to provide Ocean Literacy training for young high school students. A second edition of Oceanthon 2021 was announced as scheduled for later this year, after a successful first edition in October 2020. This digital hackathon fully dedicated to the ocean is open to all Mediterranean countries for young researchers, innovators and developers, and organised within the pre-COP26. More so, an important initiative that is part of the Ocean Decade was presented, the “Donna di Mare 2022”, this is an award dedicated to young women committed to safeguarding the ocean, it is not limited to simply scientific fields.

Francesca Santoro, IOC-UNESCO Programme Specialist, pointed out the significance of this year as the beginning of the Ocean Decade. “We are launching this Decade of Ocean Science in Italy with many activities, projects and initiatives with the goal of involving everyone; discovering our ocean, discovering its importance for our future and that of generations to come”, she explained. “This Ocean Decade was born, let's say, from the wheel of the international community that deals, in fact, with the protection of the ocean, precisely on the basis of the awareness that our ocean is suffering, and in danger but, at the same time, as we said before, remains fundamental for our planet”.

IOC-UNESCO expresses its appreciation for the collaborative spirit of and time dedicated by: Caterina Balivo, Filippo Mennuni, Captain of the sailing boat Mediterranea and President of Associazione Progetto Mediterranea; Sergio Muñiz, actor and singer; Sara Segantin, writer and co-founder of Fridays for Future Italia; Alessio Satta, MedSea Foundation; Anne de Carbuccia, Artist, filmmaker and President of One Planet One Future; Nadia Pinardi, University of Bologna; Roberta Ivaldi, Istituto Idrografico della Marina; Mariassunta Peci, Director of the UNESCO Office of the Italian Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with Rai Cultura, Giulia Borioli, President of Associazione T.A.O; Francesca Cassia, co-founder of OdakaYoga; Antonio Scannavino, marine biologist; Davide Villa, CCO & Board Member E.ON Italia; Giorgia Freddi, Director of Communication, CR and Public Affairs AXA Italy; Jean-Marc Pontroué, CEO Panerai; Francesca Figus, Head of Marketing and Communication at Nieddittas; Chiara Bidoli, Director of Style Piccoli; Luca Fois, Co-director International Master Design for Kids & Toys e Director of Design of Events at Politecnico Milano; Micaela Lodrini, VP Marketing & Brand Solutions ViacomCBS Italia; Daniele Moretti, editor-in-chief of Sky Tg24; Nicola Veschi, Journalist SkyTG24; Sarah Varetto, EVP Communications, Inclusion & Bigger Picture Sky Italia; Edoardo Vigna, editor-in-chief of Corriere della Sera; Luca Dini, Director of F e Natural Style; Simone Perotti, sailor and writer; Enzo Barracco, fotographer and climate climate artist; Bonetta dell’Oglio, Chef - Donne di Mare; Paola Gianguzza, Professor - Donne di Mare; Daniela Addis, Attorney - Donne di Mare; Anna Cogo, B-Women; Caterina Dentoni Litta, B-Women; RAI per il Sociale; Comune di Procida; Università degli Studi di San Marino; Donne di Mare; B-Women; Flowe; Starting Finance; Lorenzo Bertelli, Head of CRS of PRADA; and, Attilio Fontana, singer.

World Oceans Day 2021 - Between Past and Future: Towards the Ocean Generation

• Event page https://decenniodelmare.it/tra-passato-e-futuro-verso-la-gen...
• Event recording https://youtu.be/zFoLNoBCKFU (video)
• Manifesto https://youtu.be/5MYxRoujw64
• Sylvia Earl talks about its importance https://youtu.be/hEvrU8_tick (video)

Ocean Decade Website https://www.oceandecade.org/

Giornata Mondiale dell'Acqua 2021 – Una celebrazione dell'acqua nei siti UNESCO video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7Y4aWpAYNU