The OCE at UNOC 2025: Education in Support of Ocean Literacy
At the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), the Office for Climate Education (OCE) reaffirmed its belief that education can play a key role in promoting ocean literacy. By participating in scientific, institutional, and civic events, the OCE demonstrated how education can help raise awareness of the ocean’s crucial role in the climate system.
Advocating for the Integration of Ocean and Climate into School Curricula
Even before UNOC officially began, the OCE took part in the One Ocean Science Congress, where Stefania Rosolen, PhD student within the OCE, presented her research on French school textbooks. Through a detailed study of the content, she highlighted the still-marginal presence of "ocean" and "climate" themes in education and advocated for a more ambitious integration of these issues from the early years of schooling. Her presentation emphasized the importance of a systemic approach, essential to help young people understand the complex interactions between the ocean, climate, and human societies.
Training the Scientists of Tomorrow
The OCE was also invited to participate in the launch meeting of the first international network of marine universities. During this event, Eric Guilyardi, President of the OCE, emphasized the critical role of formal education in building a continuum between schools, research institutions, and society. He particularly stressed the need to create engaging scientific pathways as early as secondary school to inspire vocations and strengthen the inclusiveness of ocean-related studies.
Empowering youth
In addition to its involvement in institutional spaces, the OCE engaged with young people through a series of side-events co-organized with IFREMER, IRD, Les Petits Débrouillards, and the French Ministry of National Education. These events gave young participants from diverse backgrounds a platform to express their expectations regarding climate and ocean education. The discussions revealed a shared need: an education more closely connected to current scientific and environmental realities, capable of preparing youth to actively engage in ongoing transitions. These moments of dialogue also strengthened a collective advocacy for ambitious climate education, supported by youth, educators, scientists, and institutions alike.
Connecting Ocean, Climate, and Education on the Global Stage
During an event hosted by the French National Commission for UNESCO, the OCE joined the launch of the UNESCO Ocean Family, a new initiative that aims to showcase French expertise in ocean science, education, and climate action at the international level. By joining this collective dynamic, the OCE reaffirmed its commitment to building bridges between scientific knowledge, educational innovation, and civic engagement.
Equipping Educators with High-Quality Teaching Resources
At the Cryosphere Pavilion, in collaboration with the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES), the OCE presented the work carried out over the past five years on the links between the cryosphere, ocean, and climate.
Through its participation in UNOC 2025, the OCE contributed to international discussions on the future of the ocean, highlighting how education can be a powerful lever to support the cultural, social, and political transformations needed for its preservation.