On the occasion of World Oceans Day, 8 June, UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission will host the first Virtual Ocean Literacy Summit, in partnership with Ocean Wise, EuroGOOS and Experiential Atelier. This exclusive edition will celebrate the successes of the Ocean Literacy community worldwide and explore them as an essential tool for the transformation of scientific knowledge into action.

Ocean Literacy (OL) is defined as the understanding of our influence on the ocean and the ocean’s influence on us. Ocean literacy is a methodological approach to increase the awareness of the public about responsible and informed behavior towards the ocean and its resources. It is not just knowledge about the state of the ocean but a deeper understanding of our individual and collective responsibilities to take care of our planet’s largest ecosystem.

In the context of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021 – 2030 (“The Decade” for short), Ocean Literacy is expected to play a key role to transform ocean knowledge into action. As part of the Decade, OL will help to advance sustainable production practices, develop evidence-based public marine policy, influence the ocean science research agenda by identifying the science questions that are most relevant to society, promote a more responsible citizenry, and encourage young people to start a career in the ocean economy or in marine science.

Celebrate the World Oceans Day by joining the First Virtual Ocean Literacy Summit

The first Virtual Ocean Literacy Summit is being organized on the occasion of World Oceans Day 2020 (June 8). The Summit will celebrate the successes of the ocean literacy community worldwide and aims to achieve the following three objectives:

• Present the need for shared responsibility, connectivity, and a global vision for the ocean.
• Explore the role of OL as an essential tool for the transformation of scientific knowledge into action within the context of the Decade.
• Inspire stakeholders, institutions, organizations, and individuals to join the global OL community and contribute to the achievement of its goals in the course of the Decade

UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021 – 2030

The Decade will provide a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to create a new foundation, across the science-policy interface, to strengthen the management of the ocean. The Decade is embracing a participative and transformative process so that scientists, policy makers, managers, and service users can work together to ensure that ocean science delivers greater benefits for both the ocean ecosystem and for society. The Decade will address 6 societal outcomes: -A Clean Ocean -A Sustainable and Productive Ocean -A Healthy and Resilient Ocean -A Transparent and Accessible Ocean -A Predicted Ocean-A Safe Ocean

Online:  Registration to the Ocean Literacy Virtual Summit

Tags: Ocean Literacy, SDG 14 Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

Join the conversation at: https://education.ocean.org/olsummit/