UN Decade of Ocean Science
Although the focus of our work is in Germany, we are already involved as an important partner in their preparations for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
With its decision to establish the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) in 2017, the United Nations wanted to draw attention to the special importance of marine research and the sustainable development linked to it.
Under the leadership of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (IOC-UNESCO), the vision of the Ocean Decade is "the science we need for the ocean we want". The results of research and the fact that we still know very little about our ocean are also the basis for our foundation's actions.
Both at the first Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona in April 2024 and at a subsequent Ocean Literacy Conference in Venice, experts agreed that raising ocean awareness is by far the most important task of the Decade to fulfill its ten challenges:
Understanding and combating marine pollution
Protection and restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity
Sustainable nutrition for the world's population
Developing a sustainable and equitable marine economy
Tapping into ocean-based solutions for climate change
Strengthening the resilience of communities to marine hazards
Expansion of the global ocean observation system
Creating digital representations of the ocean
Developing skills, knowledge and technology for the ocean for all
Improving humanity's relationship with the ocean
The UN Decade was born out of the realization that much more needs to be done to reverse the cycle of marine degradation and create better conditions for the sustainable development of our ocean, seas and coasts, and thus for people.
The UN Decade provides a policy framework for scientists and stakeholders from many different sectors to disseminate knowledge and develop partnerships that can contribute to a better understanding of the ocean system and thus to science-based solutions to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The ocean as the "common heritage of mankind" is the key to a fair and sustainable planet.
The initiators of the UN Ocean Decade see above all that the following seven goals should be achieved:
A clean ocean whose sources of pollution are identified and reduced or removed.
A healthy and resilient ocean whose ecosystems are understood, protected, restored and managed.
A productive ocean that supports a sustainable food supply and a sustainable marine economy.
A forward-looking ocean means that society understands the changing conditions in the sea and can react to them.
A safe ocean from whose dangers life and livelihoods are protected.
An accessible ocean with open and equal access to data, information, technologies and innovations.
An inspiring ocean means that society understands and values the ocean in terms of human well-being and sustainable development.
To realize the vision of the Ocean Decade, the IOC-UNESCO has invited the global community to make proposals to address the 10 challenges and seven goals. The proposals for Decade Actions in the form of programs, projects or activities will be reviewed and approved by the IOC in Paris.
Twelve of our projects have already been approved by IOC-UNESCO, starting with our research and media ship ALDEBARAN.
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ALDEBARAN: Media and research vessel
Climate-friendly, flexible, shallow-water research and media vessel has sailed over 100,000 nautical miles on more than 250 expeditions in European, Atlantic and Caribbean waters since 1992. ALDEBARAN has helped to establish marine protected areas and reach millions of people with qualified results and ocean impressions.
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Marine competition "Research at sea"
The marine competition for young scientists has been taking place since 2005 with more than 80 one-week expeditions on board the research vessel ALDEBARAN.
Students from the 9th grade onwards can set sail under the guidance of an experienced marine researcher.
Six teams have so far been awarded state or national prizes in "Jugend forscht". -
Ocean Lovers Education Initiative
The International Ocean Film Tour is the most spectacular ocean film tour in Europe and we organize the corresponding teaching material online so that the ocean can be brought into the classroom or project weeks can be organized on selected films.
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German Ocean Festival
Every year in summer, the ocean will take centre stage in the heart of political Berlin together with actors from the worlds of art and culture. Partners from society, science and business will present their ideas and innovative projects on the importance of the ocean for society and the economy with bold, tangible visions for our future. After a small pioneering event at Potsdamer Platz in 2022, the event was continued with a parliamentary evening in November 2024 in cooperation with Planetarium Berlin.
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"love your ocean" - ocean literacy initiative
Curated and organized by the German Ocean Foundation in close cooperation with boot Düsseldorf, the "love your ocean" sustainability initiative has been taking place since 2008 with partners from business, science and society. More than 100 stakeholders present their innovations and forward-looking projects and products for a healthy ocean and healthy waters on an area of around 1,000 square meters and under the umbrella of the Decade's content and goals. Workshops, hands-on activities, a stage program and an annual Ocean Forum are the source of information for more than 200,000 trade fair visitors interested in sustainability in water sports.
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"love your ocean" - ocean tribute award
The most important award in water sports for innovative ideas and projects to protect the ocean and its waters has been presented since 2008 by the boot trade fair, the Prince Albert II Foundation and the German Ocean Foundation as part of the BLUE MOTION NIGHT at boot Düsseldorf. The prize, endowed with 20,000 euros, honors international initiatives, associations, projects and companies that are particularly committed to preserving the ocean.
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"love your ocean" - Ocean Forum
At the Ocean Forum as part of the boot water sports trade fair, the most important players in the sustainability scene meet for short, exciting presentations and subsequent networking.
The aim of the Ocean Forum is to raise awareness of the seven goals of the Decade and to link the commitment, actions and activities of the speakers to the Ocean Decade.
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Ocean Conference Series
Three online conferences focusing on the 7 goals of the Decade are held annually and provide a platform for lively discussions and creative exchange of ideas. The fourth conference and highlight is the Ocean Forum at boot Düsseldorf.
Representatives from science, business, politics and society have the unique opportunity here to deal with the urgent issue of marine protection and to develop interdisciplinary approaches.
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YOUMARES Conference
The German Marine Foundation supports and promotes the successful YOUMARES youth conference of the German Society for Marine Research (DGM), which has been organized by its research and teaching working group since 2008. Up to 300 young participants from all over the world meet annually and hybrid in Germany for the conference for young scientists. It is currently the leading independent event for young marine researchers in Europe. In cooperation with Springer Verlag, the conference contributions are published in an anthology.
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Ocean Heroes
The "Ocean Heroes" project shows how effective communication can help to publicize ocean projects. It features interviews with ocean personalities and heroes from around the world, starting with some of the participants at the UN Ocean Conference held in Lisbon in 2022.
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Miniature Wonderland
The miniature ALDEBARAN sets sail off the coast of Monaco. Miniatur Wunderland, the second most popular tourist attraction in Germany with an average of 1.25 million visitors per year, welcomes the UN Ocean Decade and will integrate the seven destinations into its exhibits.
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Citizen Science Project
The German Marine Foundation has launched a broad-based citizen science initiative in collaboration with key partners from the water sports industry. The aim is to encourage water sports enthusiasts to collect marine geophysical data in a simple but high-quality and comprehensive form. The project establishes an individual and emotional connection between water sports and science and transfers individual data to science quickly, transparently and effectively.