Inspiring Action for the Ocean from the Mountains to the Coast

The Ocean Literacy team of UNESCO-IOC has been busy across Italy this summer engaging with the public from the mountains to the coast, from Liguria to Veneto, working to inspire curiosity among the next generation of ocean advocates.

EU4Ocean Summer School on Ocean Literacy & Collaboration

In July, the historic city of Venice welcomed 22 passionate young professionals and students from 12 different countries for the 4th edition of the EU4Ocean Summer School. Organized with the support of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, the European Commission DG MARE, CNR-ISMAR, IUAV, the Maritime Museum of Venice, the University of Padova, Climate-KIC, and the City of Venice, this week-long event brought together a diverse group committed to advancing ocean literacy.

Over five intensive days, participants engaged in a wide range of activities, from project management and stakeholder engagement to maritime and marine spatial planning, data communication, and the core concepts of ocean literacy. The programme seamlessly combined classroom sessions with hands-on exploration, including field visits in collaboration with the Italian National Research Council for Marine Sciences (CNR-ISMAR), where participants experienced nature-based solutions and studied the biodiversity of the Venetian lagoon. A highlight of the week was the visit to the SEA BEYOND Ocean Literacy Centre on San Servolo Island, where attendees explored the power of empathy and storytelling in fostering ocean stewardship.

As the week drew to a close, participants worked in teams to develop and present five innovative projects focused on ocean literacy and nature-based solutions, putting their new skills and knowledge into practice before a panel of expert lecturers.

The Summer School is a testament to UNESCO's ongoing commitment to advancing ocean literacy: fostering understanding, nurturing international collaboration, and inspiring creative, actionable solutions for a more sustainable ocean.

Photo: Enrico Geromin

Posidonia Green Festival: Community, Creativity, and Citizen Science for a Sustainable Ocean

This summer, the picturesque town of Bogliasco in Liguria became a living laboratory for sustainability, civic engagement, and ocean literacy during the 2025 Posidonia Green Festival. Supported by UNESCO-IOC alongside a broad coalition of institutional and private partners, the festival transformed the shoreline into a vibrant hub for learning, creativity, and action.

With more than 2000 participants, including families, schools, tourists, and local stakeholders, the festival featured a rich programme of events, including a conference on ocean protection in collaboration with our programme, Save the Wave, as well as interactive workshops, and artistic performances. At the heart of the festival were hands-on educational activities: over 1000 people took part in thematic laboratories, citizen science on the beach, and creative upcycling, all designed to foster a deeper connection with marine biodiversity and inspire practical stewardship.

UNESCO-IOC’s contribution helped ensure that ocean literacy was woven throughout the festival, bridging science, policy, art, and community. The festival’s plastic-free commitment and its focus on participatory action embody the values of the Ocean Decade, empowering individuals to become agents of change and demonstrating that a sustainable ocean future can only be built together.

Photo: Posidonia Green Festival

Water Resources from the Dolomites to the Sea: Linking Mountain Ecosystems to Ocean Health

The 4th edition of “Water Resources from the Dolomites to the Sea” (Risorsa Acqua: dalle Dolomiti al Mare) brought a powerful message to the peaks of the Dolomites: our planet’s water cycle connects even the most distant landscapes to the ocean. Organized by the Municipality of Venice, CNR, the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe, and partners, the event invited scientists, institutions, and students to examine the effects of climate change from high-altitude glaciers to the open sea.

Through expert-led discussions, a field visit to the Antelao glacier, and active participation from students of Ca’ Foscari University, participants witnessed firsthand the urgent impacts of glacier retreat and biodiversity shifts. The event fostered reflection on how mountain changes reverberate through river systems, ultimately influencing ocean dynamics, biodiversity, and communities worldwide.

UNESCO-IOC’s involvement in this initiative underscores the importance of ocean literacy that reaches far beyond the shoreline. By engaging citizens in participatory science, from data collection to practical solutions, this event highlighted that every action, no matter how distant from the coast, is intrinsically linked to ocean health. The sighting of a rare alpine star along the route symbolized hope and resilience, reminding all present of the urgent need to safeguard our shared blue planet for future generations.

Through these three initiatives, UNESCO-IOC continues to champion ocean literacy and the power of collective action, reminding us that every community, every learner, and every event has a vital role to play in creating the ocean we need for the future we want.

 Photo: Esteban Gottfriend-Burguett