UNESCO’s Ocean Literacy for All educates people in 16 countries

The economic potential and the impact of human activities on the world’s oceans have led Brazil’s Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation to encourage the development of research in the field with a perspective that goes beyond the exploitation of resources, casting light on the importance of the ocean for living beings and how human behavior can interfere with their health.

The topic was discussed Tuesday (Oct 11) by the ministry’s secretary for Research and Scientific Training, Marcelo Morales, on Repórter Nacional, aired on Rádio Nacional; and by Minister Paulo Alvim on public radio broadcast A Voz do Brasil Monday (10).

Ocean Literacy

In a Tuesday interview on Repórter Nacional, Secretary Morales mentioned the government’s efforts to implement the initiatives developed by UNESCO under the Oceanic Literacy for All program.

“We must be aware of the role of the oceans in life, and of human kind in the health of the oceans. In this living environment, crucial for controlling Earth’s temperature, there are molecules to be discovered and sustainable economies to be developed,” the secretary said, while emphasizing the importance of taking the topic to be debated in schools countrywide.

“With the help of UNESCO and the UN, we have to develop strategies to make the importance of the oceans well known and raise awareness among kids in our schools. This strategy is built with volunteers and public agents from multiple spheres,” the secretary added.

There are about 430 schools in the project, across 16 countries, he pointed out. “In Brazil, 33 schools are involved in blue awareness. Just yesterday, we discussed with representatives form 14 countries how we can help bring this awareness to schools.”