Ocean Literacy With All

Empowering Global Ocean Stewardship

Ocean Literacy With All (OLWA) is a flagship programme under the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030). Coordinated by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO), OLWA aims to transform humanity's relationship with the ocean by fostering widespread understanding and responsible behaviour toward marine environments.

Objectives

OLWA seeks to:

• Enhance Ocean Literacy: Promote awareness of the ocean's vital role in sustaining all life on Earth, as well as human well-being.

• Foster Inclusive Participation: Engage diverse stakeholders, including educators, policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society, in ocean-related initiatives.

• Support Sustainable Development: Align ocean literacy efforts with global sustainability goals, ensuring equitable access to ocean knowledge and resources.

Key Activities

To achieve its objectives, OLWA focuses on:

1. Developing Research Programs: Establishing global research initiatives to identify knowledge gaps and inform ocean literacy strategies.

2. Strengthening Networks: Building and connecting international communities dedicated to ocean education and advocacy.

3. Capacity Building: Offering training programs tailored to various audiences to enhance their understanding and engagement with ocean issues.

4. Integrating Ocean Literacy: Assisting in embedding ocean literacy principles into broader Ocean Decade programs and policies.

Ocean Literacy Dialogues

A cornerstone of OLWA is the "Ocean Literacy Dialogues" series—global events facilitating knowledge exchange and collaborative action. Editions have been held so far in:

• Lisbon, Portugal (2022)

• Santos, Brazil (2022)

• Vancouver, Canada (2023)

• Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (2023)

• Barcelona, Spain (2024)

• Mumbai, India (2024)

These dialogues bring together stakeholders from various sectors to share experiences, challenges, and potential solutions to the issues the ocean faces.

Collaborative Network

OLWA thrives on partnerships with organizations worldwide, including:

• Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition (COLC)

• Irish Ocean Literacy Network

• National Marine Educators Association, USA (NMEA)

• European Marine Science Educators Association (EMSEA)

• Australian Association for Environmental Education (AAEE)

• Marine Education Center, Malmö, Sweden

• Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary Academy (TBA21)

• Direção-Geral do Política do Mar, Portugal

• International Pacific Marine Educator Network (IPMEN) 

• The Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of Berkley, USA

• Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil (UNIFESP)

• Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd, UK

• Acqua Mater, Brazil

• Ocean Conservation Trust, UK

• Early Career Ocean Professional (ECOP) Programme

• University of Gothenburg, Sweden

Get Involved

Individuals and organizations can participate in OLWA by:

• Joining Training Programs: Enhancing knowledge and skills related to ocean literacy.

• Participating in Dialogues: Engaging in global conversations to share insights and strategies.

• Collaborating on Projects: Partnering on initiatives that promote sustainable ocean practices.