The 3rd SEA BEYOND Award Ceremony Celebrates Young Ocean Advocates Across the Globe

The 3rd cycle of the SEA BEYOND educational module reached its grand finale with an inspiring award ceremony held on World Children’s Day.

Moderated by environmental and animal rights activist Carlota Bruna, the event celebrated the creativity, dedication, and impact of schools participating in SEA BEYOND over the past year. With contributions from Lorenzo Bertelli, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility of Prada Group and Francesca Santoro, Senior Programme Office of UNESCO-IOC, the ceremony highlighted the collective efforts of students, teachers, and jurors in championing ocean conservation.

A Growing Community for Ocean Advocacy

The ceremony opened with a heartfelt speech by Vidar Helgsen, Executive Secretary of UNESCO-IOC. Reflecting on the program’s remarkable growth, he shared,

“Our initial goal was ambitious, reaching 10,000 students. But thanks to the dedication and creativity of teachers and students, we reached over 34,000 students across 184 schools in 56 countries. You’re part of a growing movement of young ocean advocates who understand the importance of ocean action for our planet’s future.”

This year’s SEA BEYOND motto, “Think, Learn, Act,” was echoed throughout the event, underscoring the program’s emphasis on turning knowledge into meaningful action.

Highlights from the Winners

The awards honored schools that went above and beyond in their commitment to ocean conservation, each bringing unique perspectives and creative solutions.

3rd Place: American Institute of Monterrey, Mexico
Teacher Veronica Rocha Villareal praised the program for shifting her students’ perspectives:

“We live far from the sea in Monterrey, but SEA BEYOND helped us understand how important it is to preserve the ocean, even if we don’t see it every day.”

Student Vicky Rodela reflected on the program’s empowering lessons:

“We don’t have to wait for solutions to arrive in the future—they’re here now. No matter our passion or career path, we should always take any chance we can to enact positive change.”

2nd Place: EnviroVision School of Sustainability, India
Teacher Charu Gupta highlighted the interdisciplinary approach her school embraced:

“We adapted the materials in a transdisciplinary manner and engaged our community through local experts and a sustainable fashion show.”

Student Tamana shared how the experience fostered a deep connection to the ocean:

“Even in a landlocked place, we feel connected to the ocean by learning about the impacts of our choices and collaborating with local sustainable brands.”

1st Place: Shanghai High School International Division, China
The winning project, Coast to Coast, featured short videos on coral reefs, UN SDGs, and ocean biodiversity.
Teacher Mengdi Cui expressed pride in the students’ work:

“SEA BEYOND has been the perfect educational opportunity for our students. We’ve been participating since the first edition in 2019, and I’m proud of their commitment to ocean preservation.”

Student Aaron Xue described the journey as transformative:

“We felt empowered to make a change. Through social media and collaborative exploration, we shared the beauty and fragility of the ocean. SEA BEYOND has been an amazing journey for all of us.”

The first-place prize also included a symbolic gift: a nylon spool made of Prada Re-Nylon material, representing the program’s commitment to sustainability.

The Ocean in One Word

To close the event, the SEA BEYONDers, the jury members who selected the winners, encapsulated their relationship with the ocean in a single word:

• “The ocean is the greatest teacher.” – Valentina Gottlieb
• “The ocean is freedom.” – Carmelo Isgrò
• “The ocean is a temple—it can live without us, but we can’t live without it.” – Giovanni Chimienti
• “The ocean is a school.” – Titouan Bernicot
• “The ocean is the great connector.” – Elisabetta Zavoli
• “The ocean is love and joy.” – Enzo Baracco

Looking Ahead: A Long-Term Vision

As the ceremony concluded, Lorenzo Bertelli emphasized the project’s long-term aspirations:

“SEA BEYOND isn’t a short-term project; it’s a long term one. And as the project grows, I hope that the decision-makers of tomorrow may be learning through the SEA BEYOND modules today.”

Francesca Santoro highlighted the community-building aspect of SEA BEYOND:

“SEA BEYOND is becoming a global community of teachers, students, and experts, unifying us as only the ocean can.”

Together with the Prada Group and UNESCO-IOC, the SEA BEYOND program continues to inspire action and foster a shared wish to prioritize ocean conservation across all sectors. By celebrating innovative ideas and practical actions, the program reminds us that every step, big or small, contributes to a healthier future for our ocean.