2nd Edition of the Mário Ruivo Memorial Lecture Series Invites Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) to Submit Outstanding Projects

This initiative celebrates the legacy of Professor Mário Ruivo, former Executive Secretary of UNESCO-IOC and one of Portugal's most influential champions of ocean science and sustainability. This biennial Memorial Lecture Series, endorsed by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 ('Ocean Decade'), continues its mission to spotlight ECOPs who are making substantial contributions to the United Nations' 2030 Agenda-particularly Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, Life Below Water. By participating, ECOPs contribute to the broader vision of the Ocean Decade and strengthen a global cooperation towards a healthier and more sustainable ocean.

Vidar Helgesen, the new Executive Secretary of UNESCO-IOC, expressed his admiration for Professor Ruivo, saying: "Professor Ruivo was a visionary leader who recognized the transformative power of ocean science early on. His work remains an inspiration, and his impact on the IOC and the international ocean community endures. Through this series, we honor his memory by empowering a new generation of ocean professionals to follow his footsteps."

The second edition will culminate in the selected ECOP delivering a keynote lecture on their project during the IOC Assembly in 2025, as part of this prestigious series. This lecture will continue to pay tribute to Professor Ruivo's groundbreaking contributions to ocean governance and sustainability, while amplifying the voices of the next generation of ocean scientists and leaders.

Sérgio Bryton, Executive Director of EurOcean, emphasized the significance of the series: "The first edition of the Mário Ruivo Memorial Lecture exceeded our expectations, showcasing the exceptional talent and passion of early career ocean professionals. As we launch this second edition, we are even more committed to inspiring future leaders who will shape the future of our ocean."

Applications are open to ECOPs, born in 1984 or later, who are leading projects as principal investigators (PI) or co-PIs. The submission deadline is on the 2nd of February 2025.The initiative seeks to highlight innovative research and solutions that align with the Ocean Decade's goal of delivering The Science We Need For The Ocean We Want.

For details on how to apply for the Mário Ruivo Memorial Lecture Series, visit https://eurocean.org/mario-ruivo-memorial-lecture/.

***

Professor Mário Ruivo

(1927 - 2017)

An expert in Biological Oceanography, Mário Ruivo was one of the pioneers of marine biology in Portugal. He held high political positions (Secretary of State for Fisheries, Minister for Foreign Affairs - 1974/75), and led the Delegation of Portugal to the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (1974-79). Mário Ruivo was the Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) from 1980 to 1989, and, later on, the delegate of Portugal to the IOC. His achievements at the IOC reinforced his prestige at the international level. With a deep ethical sense, Mário Ruivo had his eyes set on future generations, and he thereby established a pact of responsibility, which gave him an indefatigable strength to persist and fight for his ideals, without giving up. With the aim of promoting marine science, technology and ocean literacy, he was a crucial element in the creation of the EurOcean Foundation and of its scientific network, of which he was its founder and President.

UNESCO-IOC

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (UNESCO-IOC) promotes international cooperation in marine sciences to improve management of the ocean, coasts and marine resources. The IOC enables its 150 Member States to work together by coordinating programmes in capacity development, ocean observations and services, ocean science and tsunami warning. The work of the IOC contributes to the mission of UNESCO to promote the advancement of science and its applications to develop knowledge and capacity, key to economic and social progress, the basis of peace and sustainable development.

Ocean Decade

Proclaimed in 2017 by the United Nations General Assembly, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) ('the Ocean Decade') seeks to stimulate ocean science and knowledge generation to reverse the decline of the ocean health and catalyse new opportunities for sustainable development. The vision of the Ocean Decade is 'the science we need for the ocean we want'. The Ocean Decade provides a convening framework for scientists and stakeholders from diverse sectors to develop the scientific knowledge and the partnerships needed to accelerate and harness advances in ocean science to achieve a better understanding of the ocean system and deliver science-based solutions to achieve the 2030 Agenda. The UN General Assembly mandated UNESCO-IOC to coordinate the preparations and implementation of the Decade.

EurOcean

EurOcean Foundation is an independent, non-profit, scientific organization with the mission to support advances in European marine science and technology, by fostering information exchange, interaction and innovation among its network members, the ocean community and broader society.

Founded in 2002, through the collaboration of the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), and the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (IFREMER), EurOcean has a Europe-wide network of 19 organisations dedicated to ocean science and technology.

For media requests please contact:

Sara Granchinho | EurOcean Foundation | [email protected]

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.