in the framework of Ocean Literacy With All (OLWA), a UN Ocean Decade Programme,
are co-hosting this in-person side event that will take place on March 23, at 8am, inside the UN Headquarters, ROOM B
The Source to Sea Approach
Ocean Literacy as a powerful tool to address climate change and promote sustainable blue businesses while encouraging cross-sectoral partnerships bridging SDG6 & SDG14
Case Studies and Reflections around:
Education, Aquatic Ecosystems, Socio-Environmental Impacts, Sustainable Finance, Access to Safe Water, Mangrove Restoration, Plastic Pollution, Climate Resilience
The topics presented and discussed in this side event are strongly connected to Interactive Dialogues 3“Water for Climate, Resilience and Environment: Source to Sea, Biodiversity, Climate, Resilience and Disaster Risk Reduction.”
PREMISE
To (re)generate life on our planet, foster resilience and fight the climate crisis we should encourage a systemic vision around the interconnection of all water bodies. The deep relationship between freshwater and saltwater highlights the crucial role marine ecosystems play regarding water availability and coastal protection, which becomes clear when droughts and flooding consequences are to be mitigated. Initiatives that incorporate local and scientific knowledge to manage and restore our aquatic ecosystems are decisive to help nature to thrive and deliver its ecosystem services, so that humankind can thrive too.
Panelists represent different sectors of society, come from different countries, have different backgrounds and belong to different generations.
Moderator
Patricia Furtado de Mendonça
Founder & CEO at Acqua Mater
“ImPact Professional” at the UNGC Brazil; Member of the Steering Committee of the “Ocean Literacy With All” (OLWA), an endorsed UN Ocean Decade Programme coordinated by IOC-UNESCO
The event will be divided in 3 Panels:
Ocean Literacy Mobilizing Corporate Action
This panel will explore how Ocean Literacy plays a pivotal role for the success of the UN Ocean Decade and when its goals meet those from the UN Water Action Decade. The partnership with the Private and the Financial Sectors are fundamental to promote sustainable blue businesses while raising awareness and promoting behavioral change that will benefit fresh and salty waters.
Panelists
Francesca Santoro (Italy)
Senior Programme Officer at IOC-UNESCO and Coordinator of the “Ocean Literacy With All” (OLWA) Programme of the UN Ocean Decade
Massimiliano De Martin (Italy)
Counselor for the Environment of the Municipality of Venice
Daniel Bowie-MacDonald (UK)
Investment Specialist: Sustainable Investment at ABRDN & Ocean Literacy Expert at IOC-UNESCO
Brazilian case-studies on Public-Private partnerships for Water and Ocean Sustainability
We will showcase two inspiring and relevant initiatives that highlight the importance of sustainable investments and public-private partnerships to succeed in business while scaling positive impacts for the benefit of the society, the planet and all its waters. Both companies also promote Water-Ocean Literacy.
Carlo Pereira (Brazil)
CEO at UN Global Compact Brazil
Case Study 1 – BRK Ambiental
BRK is a private sanitation company operating in Brazil in 100 cities and 13 States. According to BTG Pactual, the largest investment bank in Latin America, BRK is the first private company from the Water & Sanitation sector in the world to issue blue bonds. Their initiative, led in partnership with the State of Alagoas, will allow better sanitation services and waste water treatment while reducing water and ocean pollution.
Panelists
Teresa Vernaglia (Brazil)
CEO at BRK Ambiental, UNGC Brazil Spokesperson for Water & Sanitation
Verônica Sanchez (Brazil)
President at the Brazilian National Water & Sanitation Agency (ANA)
Case Study 2 – OceanPact Marine Services
A private company from the Blue Economy that will present 2 initiatives: Guanabara Verde, a successful mangrove restoration project executed in Rio de Janeiro, in partnership with Brazil’s Federal Conservation Authority (ICMBio), that combines technological innovation and fisherman engagement aiming at carbon storage and livelihood improvement; Blue Keepers, a project executed in partnership with the UN Global Compact Brazil to fight plastic pollution in rivers and oceans.
Panelists
Fernando Borensztein (Brazil)
Director of Sustainability at OceanPact
Gabriela Otero (Brazil)
Coordinator of Blue Keepers, project that integrates the Water & Ocean Platform of the UN Global Compact Brazil.
Ricardo Gomes (Brazil)
Director at Urban Sea Institute, Filmmaker, Diver
New Pathways to bridge SDG 6 and SDG 14
In a world in constant change, we must be inspired by water to adapt to new needs. How can formal and informal education lead transformative change in benefit of all the waters? Which cross-sectoral projects Academia, NGOs and Social Entrepreneurships are promoting to foster a systemic vision around our aquatic ecosystems, aiming at conservation or at generating new businesses?
Panelists
Dawn Fleming (Canada / Brazil)
Innovation Lead Waterlution Global, Director Waterlution Brazil, Steering Committee Woman for Water Partnership
Diane Payne (US)
Associate Professor at the University of Connecticut, Education Coordinator of Connecticut Sea Grant, Chair of the Ocean Literacy Committee of NMEA – National Marine Educators Association, Steering Committee of OLWA Programme.
Cyrielle Noel (Canada)
Water-Ocean Young Leader, Founder of Eau DaCité, Program Specialist at Ocean Wise, CBC Quebec's 2022 #Blackchangemakers for promoting Waterway Literacy