Unveiling the Steering Committee of the Decade Coordination Office, tasked with linking society and the ocean for the upcoming decade.

Unveiling the Steering Committee of the Decade Coordination Office, tasked with linking society and the ocean for the upcoming decade.

The Ocean Decade, an initiative coordinated by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, aims to rekindle humanity's bond with the ocean and recognise its crucial role in addressing global challenges such as climate change, food security, public health, and the economy.

Leading this global effort is a diverse group of experts and stakeholders, each bringing their unique expertise to the table.

Key Players

• Jarina Mohd Jani, a senior lecturer in human ecology at the Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, focuses on the complex interactions between nature and society, including studying Human-Sea turtle interactions in the South China Sea.
• Roberto Casati, a Senior Researcher at the French National Center for Scientific Research and Professor at EHESS in Paris, holds the chair Philosophies of the Ocean and directs the Jean Nicod Institute at ENS/EHESS.
• Nicola Bridge, President of EMSEA (European Marine Science Educators Association) and Co-Chair of an Ocean Decade Working Group, is responsible for developing and leading conservation learning programs and advocacy campaigns at the Ocean Conservation Trust. She is also the Head of Ocean Advocacy and Engagement at the Ocean Conservation Trust and integrated into the Plymouth community as a Trustee for Millfields Inspired, a Member of the Connect Multi Academy Trust, and a board member for the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park Horizons Programme. Further afield, Nicola Bridge is a member of the Defra Ocean Literacy Working Group and a founder of the We Are Ocean network.
• Diz Glithero, the Executive Director of the Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition, co-developed "Land, Water, Ocean, Us: A Canadian Ocean Literacy Strategy" and co-founded Ocean Week Canada.
• Leopoldo Cavaleri Gerhardinger, an Adjunct Researcher in Socioecology at the National Institute of the Atlantic Rainforest, works to advance sustainability through inter- and transdisciplinary approaches.
• Bodhi Patil, a UN-recognized, award-winning GenZ ocean-climate "Solutionist" dedicated to improving the interconnectedness between ocean health and human health.
• Michelle Bender, a member of the DCO Steering Committee, an expert in the movement towards "Ocean Rights" and Legal Counsel at Ocean Vision Legal.
• Timothy Beatley, a member of the DCO Steering Committee, serving as the Teresa Heinz Professor of Sustainable Communities at the University of Virginia.

The Decade Coordination Office (DCO)

The Ocean Decade is being spearheaded by the Decade Coordination Office (DCO) "Connecting People and Ocean." The DCO will lead efforts to coordinate Decade Actions, fostering a society that cherishes the ocean's contribution to human well-being and sustainable development. The DCO will also amplify awareness and initiatives that highlight the links between human health and ocean health, partnering with health and well-being stakeholders.

The Steering Committee for Challenge 10

While the exact composition of the Steering Committee for Challenge 10, "Restoring society's relationship with the ocean," is not explicitly detailed, it can be inferred that it consists of interdisciplinary experts and leaders drawn from IOC governance, the scientific community, policy-makers, and NGOs engaged in the Ocean Decade initiative. Chairpersons like Yutaka Michida and senior IOC officials provide governance and strategic oversight at the highest level. The DCO Steering Committee, composed of 11 experts and stakeholders, reflects the multi-stakeholder essence of Challenge 10, with balanced geographical and gender representation. The Steering Committee steers the design, implementation, and monitoring of the DCO-Connecting People and Ocean portfolio, coordinating endorsed Decade Actions under Challenge 10, pinpointing priorities, and initiating new Decade Actions to address key gaps.

Challenge 10: Restoring society's relationship with the ocean

Challenge 10 aspires to cultivate a worldwide understanding and empathy for the ocean, enabling society to co-create sustainable solutions to the threats it faces. The DCO will work to coordinate Decade Actions, fostering a society that cherishes the ocean's contribution to human well-being and sustainable development.

In addition, the DCO champions Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (JEDI) in ocean science, supporting multi-stakeholder collaboration and elevating Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK). The DCO will also amplify awareness and initiatives that highlight the links between human health and ocean health, partnering with health and well-being stakeholders.

Sonia Levy, a London-based artist and research-led filmmaker whose work delves into the implications of Western expansionist and extractive logics in aquatic environments, and Michael Palmgren, the manager and founder of the Marine Education Center in Malmö, focusing on nature-based solutions like creating new areas in harbor basins to reduce climate impact, are also contributing to the Ocean Decade's mission.

The Ocean Decade is designed to accelerate ocean science, innovation, governance improvements, and capacity building to restore ocean health and societal connections to the ocean at a global scale.

1. Jarina Mohd Jani, through her research on human-sea turtle interactions, contributes to the understanding of complex nature-society interactions.
2. Roberto Casati, as a professor with a focus on philosophies of the ocean, provides insights into the ocean's role in various aspects of human life.
3. Nicola Bridge, a president of EMSEA and Ocean Decade Working Group Co-Chair, directs conservation learning programs and campaigns to address global challenges.
4. Diz Glithero, Executive Director of the Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition, co-developed a Canadian Ocean Literacy Strategy and founded Ocean Week Canada.
5. Leopoldo Cavaleri Gerhardinger, an Adjunct Researcher in Socioecology, focuses on sustainability through interdisciplinary approaches.
6. Bodhi Patil, a UN-recognized ocean-climate "Solutionist," works towards improved ocean health and human health interconnections.
7. Michelle Bender, a member of the DCO Steering Committee, is an advocate for Ocean Rights and Legal Counsel at Ocean Vision Legal.
8. Timothy Beatley, a Teresa Heinz Professor of Sustainable Communities, serves on the DCO Steering Committee to promote sustainable development.
9. The Decade Coordination Office (DCO) spearheads the Ocean Decade, coordinating Decade Actions and fostering a society that cherishes the ocean's contribution to well-being and sustainable development.
10. The Decade Coordination Office amplifies awareness of the links between human health and ocean health and collaborates with health and wellness stakeholders.
11. The Steering Committee for Challenge 10, consists of interdisciplinary experts and leaders, aiming to restore society's relationship with the ocean.
12. Challenge 10 aspires to cultivate worldwide understanding and empathy for the ocean, enabling society to co-create sustainable solutions.
13. The DCO advocates for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (JEDI) in ocean science to support multi-stakeholder collaboration and elevate Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK).
14. Sonia Levy, a London-based artist and research-led filmmaker, explores the implications of Western logics in aquatic environments for the Ocean Decade.
15. Michael Palmgren, manager of the Marine Education Center in Malmö, focuses on nature-based solutions like creating new areas in harbor basins to reduce climate impact, contributing to the Ocean Decade's mission.
16. The Ocean Decade aims to accelerate ocean science, innovation, governance improvements, and capacity building, with a goal of restoring ocean health and societal connections at a global scale.
17. Science plays a crucial role in understanding the ocean's impact on various aspects of human health, including mental, sexual, and aging health.
18. Sleep patterns can be influenced by factors such as climate change and environmental factors, making sleep workplace-wellness a relevant topic in the context of the Ocean Decade.
19. Fitness and exercise, as important components of health and wellness, are relevant to the Ocean Decade, considering the benefits that ocean-based activities can provide.
20. Skin care and climate change are related topics, as changes in the environment can affect skin health and sun safety practices.
21. Therapies and treatments, particularly those involving water-based practices, can contribute to mental health and well-being and are relevant to the Ocean Decade.
22. Nutrition, particularly dietary choices affecting fish consumption and ocean health, is an essential aspect of health and wellness in the context of the Ocean Decade.
23. Aging and the ocean's impact on longevity and health are relevant topics, considering the increased focus on senior health and wellness in society.
24. Women's health, particularly reproductive health and menstrual products' impact on ocean health, is a concern addressed in the Ocean Decade.
25. Parenting, with its emphasis on creating a better future for children, is relevant to the Ocean Decade, considering the importance of addressing global challenges like climate change for the next generation.
26. Weight management, considering the role of sustainable and healthy eating choices in ocean health and human health, is a relevant topic in the context of the Ocean Decade.
27. Finance, investors' awareness, and wealth management, with an emphasis on responsible investments and financing for ocean-based businesses and initiatives, are essential aspects of ensuring a sustainable future for the ocean and humanity.

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