On June 7th and 8th 2024, Prada Group and UNESCO-IOC presented the first United Nations conference dedicated to ocean literacy entitled Ocean Literacy World Conference in Venice. The main objective of the conference was to bring together 131 delegates from UNESCO Member States and ocean literacy experts from around the world to contribute to the Venice Declaration for Ocean Literacy.
On June 8th, 2024 (UN World Oceans Day), the Venice Declaration has been approved. By expanding humanity’s understanding of the ocean, Ocean Literacy will empower communities to respect the marine environment and preserve ocean cultures around the world. Ultimately, it can become the foundation for wider sustainable development. This was followed by the presentation of the first SEA BEYOND Ideas Box, the result of a collaboration with Bibliothèques Sans Frontières, during which French creator Philippe Starck and Patrick Weil, Founder and President of Bibliothèques Sans Frontières, told the story of its inception in a dedicated conversation.
In the afternoon, over 80 children and young people from Venice experienced the SEA BEYOND Ideas Box through an educational journey consisting of ocean-themed workshops led by the SEA BEYONDers, the ambassador of the project: Maya Gabeira, Big Wave Surfer and UNESCO Champion for Ocean and Youth; Titouan Bernicot, Founder and CEO of Coral Gardeners and National Geographic Explorer; Giovanni Chimienti, Marine Biologist and National Geographic Explorer; Valentina Gottlieb, Environmental Advocate and Actress; Carmelo Isgrò, Biologist and Founder of the MuMa Milazzo Sea Museum; Elisabetta Zavoli, photojournalist and National Geographic Explorer.
Read the press release
Venice declaration for Ocean Literacy in Action
Quotes from Sea Beyonders