Jul 1, 2017 - MARINAzine, our project newsletter has the objective to relay information on the ... Platform to share kno
July 2017
zine
Our engagement with the Ocean
Four monthly issued
N. 1 JULY 2017
IN THIS ISSUE Is there space for the Citizen in Research and Innovation?
Blue Growth Agenda and the Public
Voices from Stakeholders
... and more
“MARINAzine. Our engagement with the Ocean” is the official, four-monthly issued newsletter from the Horizon 2020 MARINA Project. Each MARINAzine issue aims to deepen the analysis of one of the six dimensions of Responsible Research and Innovation when applied to marine and maritime issues, namely: Public Engagement; Gender Equality; Science Education; Open Science; Ethics, Harmonious Governance models . It is developed and compiled with contributions from the MARINA Consortium Partners and relevant stakeholders. Realized by APRE. Contacts:
[email protected]. 1 This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under GA No. 710566
Foreword The EU MARINA project, funded under the
registered in the platform can actively participate in the discussions
European Research and Innovation funding
on the topics of the MML workshops.
programme Horizon 2020, aims to integrate
Knowledge was shared during the events themselves and the
citizens’ visions, needs and desires into science
discussion continues in the community established in the Knowledge
and innovation, promoting Responsible
Sharing Platform. Therefore the MARINA team invites your
Research and Innovation (RRI) focusing on
organization to actively take part within the project community, to
marine issues and pressures that have significant effects on the
disseminate among interested actors within your network who are
European societies. RRI is a new approach to science whereby you
likely to be interested and willing to take action on Marine Research
can effectively make your voice heard in the whole research and
and Innovation issues. The MARINA Knowledge Sharing
innovation process and share your ideas with those that develop
Platform provides you with several tools for participating and
new solutions.
has the aim to catalyze and organize the convergence of already
MARINAzine, our project newsletter has the objective to relay
existing networks, communities, online platforms and services
information on the project activities but also to take opinions and
providing an online socio-technical environment that facilitates
point of views of important stakeholders. The newsletter aims to
and stimulates the direct engagement of researchers, civil society
convey achievements, events, policy changes on RRI addressed
organizations (CSOs), citizens, industry stakeholders, policy and
to the marine sector with the creation of a large community of
decision makers, research funders and communicators for improving
stakeholders.
RRI. Therefore I invite you to check-out this our first issue, proudly
The Mobilization and Mutual Learning Workshops (MML)
compiled with contribution by our MARINA Partners; to get in touch
held during the first year of the project are the main focus of this
with us in order to work together on Responsible Marine Research
issue, focusing on the RRI dimension “public engagement”. These
and Innovation and register to the MARINA Knowledge Sharing
workshops are collaborative events, with an international or
Platform to share knowledge, extend your own community and
local scope, organized around Europe to discuss, explore, propose
work online.
and network. In addition to the articles in the newsletter, more
Enjoy the reading… and the summer!
information is available on our website. Furthermore, members
Fernando Ferri MARINA Project Coordinator
Summary Opinions 3
Is there space for the Citizen in Research and Innovation? by Xenia Schneider, XPRO Consulting
4
The benefits of public engagement in Research and Innovation by Elena Giusta, ISPRA - Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research
Stories 5
Wave Energy in Ireland: an industry perspective by Eoin Nicholson, Smartbay Ireland
Blue Growth Agenda 6
Should the Public be engaged in the “Blue Growth” Agenda? by Ned Dwyer, EurOcean – European Centre for Information on Marine Science and Technology Xenia Schneider, XPRO Consulting
Voices from stakeholder 8
Engaging stakeholders to solve current marine challenges: the MARINA experience by Saša Reicevich and Francesca Ronchi, ISPRA - Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research
9
GEOTA - Group for Studies on Spatial Planning and Environment experiencing MARINA workshop in Faro, Portugal by Tiago Garcia, EurOcean - European Centre for Information on Marine Science and Technology
10
Unlocking hidden knowledge: a young activist at MARINA Worskhop in Boulogne- sur-Mer, France by Viktoria Brunner, Student at University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna and current Intern at Nausicaa
MARINA Highlights 11
The Ocean Conference at a Glance by Iwona Gin, Nausicaa
2
Opinions Is there space for the Citizen in Research and Innovation? by Xenia Schneider, XPRO Consulting Is there a place and space for the citizen to be involved
Scientists and innovators can expand the reach of their
in research and innovation actions? This is an interesting
work, and make it more relevant to and acceptable by
question that has been considered carefully through the
society.
European Union’s research and innovation efforts. Until a few years ago the ordinary citizen was the indirect
Of course involving citizens in complex scientific matters
receiver of scientific research and innovation actions.
is a challenging task where scientists must learn to
Researchers most of the time work in isolation and
translate their knowledge and know-how into an easily
communicate with peers. Innovator companies, small
understood language. At the same time scientists must
and large, have done the same. However, as societal
open their minds to think more trans-disciplinary and
problems are so intertwined, this closed approach is
to see an issue from different angles. In the MARINA
neither viable nor workable. As Europe faces several
project we have attempted this process through a series
societal challenges relating to its security, environmental
of 17 local and 3 international workshops where citizens,
protection, economic recovery and growth, food security,
scientists and other stakeholders come in the same
health and well-being, the citizen must have a much
room to discuss a hot and triggering question for society
more central role in the decisions taken. This shift has
such as aquaculture, wave energy, sustainable coastal
been recognized in the western world including in the EU,
urbanization, sustainable tourism, marine pollution
where several initiatives have taken place and are taking
including micro-plastics, etc. We are testing several
place linking science for and with society. The MARINA
participatory discussion methods for achieving a common
project is such an example where important marine issues
vision and a doable action-plan through open dialogue
are being addressed to increase public engagement in
and understanding. Until now more than 500 participants
defining relevant, actionable common visions and action
in 14 European countries have participated and the results
plans among citizens, scientists, policy-makers and policy
are promising given the right questions and motivations.
implementers and industry.
Three of the most important conclusions that we can draw from these engagement workshops is that all actors
Public engagement approaches bring together citizens,
have:
researchers and innovators as well as other relevant
• Come with their own meaning, but left with an enriched and open mind;
public and non-public organisations. Through dialogue
• Managed to reach and agree on a common vision and
and engagement, scientists and the public participate in
concrete action-plan;
discussions about the benefits and risks of the science
• Been willing to give and take, listen and comment,
and technology impacting our daily lives and our future
learn and act.
wellbeing including environmental issues. In doing so, questions and concerns can be better understood and
The MARINA work on public engagement is continuing
addressed. Furthermore, involving a wide range of
for two more years with the aim of highlighting the
interested stakeholders can connect seemingly unrelated
importance of public engagement in research and
viewpoints,
innovation processes.
with
potentially
far-reaching
effects.
3
The benefits of public engagement in Research and Innovation by Elena Giusta, ISPRA - Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research We live in a very complex society characterized by many
Moreover, public engagement makes the policies and
different demands, interests, challenges and actors.
strategies, developed through this interactive cooperation
Perspectives, opinions, needs and concerns of all involved
and jointly decided, much more effective because all
stakeholders must always be taken into consideration by
societal actors are committed to achieve the proposed
governmental representatives and policy makers in order
results by following closely the whole thematic policy
to take decisions which are based on a better knowledge
cycle: definition, impact assessment, implementation
of what is asked by our multifaceted society.
and review of a strategy focused on a problem relevant for our society.
Public engagement is a process that involves people in order to address issues of common importance, to solve
To meet this very ambitious but rewarding goal a well-
shared problems and bring about positive social change.
planned public engagement plan should be prepared in
The great benefits of public engagement to the progress
order to provide those feedback mechanisms necessary
of our society were already recognized by the Chinese
to jointly develop policy recommendations and a shared
philosopher Confucius (551-479 BC) when he said: “Tell
roadmap to effectively tackle a problem of common
me, and I will forget. Show me, and I may remember. Involve
interest.
me and I will understand”.
A stakeholder mapping and analysis is also needed in
According to the definition provided by the EU Research
this plan to involve the people who can be more effective
and Innovation programme Horizon 2020 public
in bringing useful inputs and in taking-up potential
engagement is about bringing on board the widest
outcomes from the participatory process put in place.
possible diversity of actors to participate in, reflect and
This plan also helps balance the different perspectives
deliberate on matters of science, research, technology
and avoids favouring one particular group of interested
and innovation. Not only for the sake of democracy
people, which would introduce a strong bias in the public
and transparency, particularly due when research and
engagement process. Communication is also very relevant
innovation activities are funded by taxpayers’ money, but
in this participatory process because transparency and
because public engagement offers many advantages.
timely information must be ensured to participants in all phases of their engagement.
First of all, the establishment of two-way iterative and participatory multi-actor dialogues reduces the
Ther is no doubt that the practice of democracy requires
distance between citizens and public administrators
much more time than taking decisions alone without
and contributes to fostering mutual understanding
consulting other people, being or not experts in a certain
and a more active cooperation in sharing knowledge,
domain. Experience shows that a collective brainstorming
experiences, research and innovation results among all
can be very beneficial in the development of strategies,
interested people.
even if the different methods used for public consultation
Furthermore,
the
engagement
of
and involvement and the number of participants may
stakeholders
require an intensive data integration and analysis phase
representing civil society associations, non-governmental
of the outcomes gradually provided through the different
organisations, industries, small and medium enterprises,
steps of a participatory process.
business sectors, universities and research centers and public authorities makes people more aware of their
The MARINA Knowledge Sharing Platform empowers
responsibilities in the management of public goods and
the many stakeholders to have their say in the most
in the oversight of political and administrative processes,
societal challenges related to the sea and make their
also increasing trust between citizens, private and public
voices heard by European, national and local policy
institutions.
makers, offering everyone the opportunity to explore the meaning of research and innovation in the marine domain and contribute to the shaping of policy agendas.
4
Stories Wave Energy in Ireland: an industry perspective by Eoin Nicholson, Smartbay Ireland Throughout the duration of the MARINA project, several
University College Cork ran a corresponding workshop
workshops will be organised that bring together a variety
later on the same day from the policy perspective. Topics
of groups to discuss marine related initiatives and to
discussed ranged from overcoming technical barriers
explore how Responsible Research and Innovation can
and demonstrating performance to spatial planning and
be used to facilitate marine and maritime developments.
public participation.
The engagement of people from a range of backgrounds on important issues in society often requires a significant
Through the workshop we undertook, the topics
amount of effort, but can provide invaluable results in
addressed had a range of different viewpoints among
progressing solutions to these issues.
different stakeholders. Through using the Focus Group participatory method, we sub-divided the large group
The process of engaging a diverse set of groups and
into smaller groups to gather opinions, stimulate
organisations requires a careful look at the marine or
conversations and provide recommendations. Having
maritime activity in question and an understanding of the
this engaged group facilitated constructive conversations
relevant stakeholders, whether this is from the general
that underpinned the development of a roadmap and
public, an industry body, researcher or government
recommendations on how to progress the topic.
representative. To undertake effective engagement a clear message regarding the purpose of the workshop
These views were shared and discussed and formed the
and the effectiveness and results that will be provided
basis of a report detailing the process and outputs from
from it are essential.
the workshop and final recommendations which were distributed to all attendees. These recommendations
The benefits of effective public engagement are short
are being fed into a current review of relevant Irish policy,
and long term. It provides differing perspectives and
which will hopefully show the value of undertaking
creativity for discussed initiatives and can create mutual
workshops and incorporating RRI to assist in the policy
understanding allowing a wider acceptability of any
making process.
discussions and outcomes. This can then enhance the relevance of these outcomes to society. At a higher level
As has been discussed above, putting effort into the
this can contribute to greater scientific literacy in society
‘how’ provides the support and reasoning for the
and participation in policy making and the democratic
‘why’. To engage people on a topic and to progress the
processes.
conversation, action or policy in that area requires effort and time, but most importantly a clear link to an actual
The workshop topic we focused on was the wave energy
result, or the potential to positively influence decision
industry in Ireland and the consideration of future trends
making; thereby, facilitating effective engagement.
and issues from an industry perspective.
5
Blue Growth Agenda Should the Public be engaged in the “Blue Growth” Agenda?
by Ned Dwyer, EurOcean – European Centre for Information on Marine Science and Technology and Xenia Schneider, XPRO Consulting What if there was real public engagement, where all stakeholders including citizens came together to share their opinions, concerns, knowledge and visions for their communities at the very start of a development process? This is what MARINA offers. Blue Growth is the European Union´s long-term
well-being and health, economic growth and national and
strategy to support sustainable growth in marine and
international governance.
maritime sectors as a whole. According to the European
Often we feel that we have no power to influence the
Commission (EC) the ‘blue’ economy represents roughly
decisions that are made. Perhaps a public consultation
5.4 million jobs and generates a gross added value of
is held regarding the installation of an off-shore windfarm
almost €500 billion a year. When the EC launched the Blue
or the construction of a set of holiday chalets, but we
Growth Strategy, they focussed on five economic areas
find out at the last minute about the consultation or the
which they believed offered the greatest potential for
authorities make it difficult for us to access the relevant
growth. These were namely: aquaculture, coastal tourism,
information, which would help us to have an informed
marine biotechnology, ocean energy and seabed mining.
opinion. Statutory processes for public consultation
As with every economic development there are combined
exist in most countries nowadays, but often we have the
societal issues (e.g. food security, raw materials, clean
impression that the developers are “going through the
energy) and environmental concerns (e.g. health,
motions”. They follow the legal requirements but often
well-being, environmental protection, pollution) to be
lack the desire for real public engagement, seeing it as just
addressed that are crucial for the future of our society at
one more hurdle to jump on the way to implementation
large and the planet itself.
of the so-called “development”.
All of these issues affect us as citizens and consumers.
But does it have to be like this? What if there was real
When you go to a restaurant, is the fish wild or from
public engagement, where all stakeholders including
aquaculture? If aquaculture, how is it impacting the
citizens came together to share their opinions, concerns,
environment and your own health? Last time you visited
knowledge and visions for their communities at the very
the beach, did you leave a mark? How do the tourism
start of a development process? Might this not result
services and constructions around the beach impact on
in better decisions, with less conflict and a stronger
other users of the beach area, the environment and the
engagement by all actors? The European Commission
marine cultural heritage? If deep-sea mining starts in
has recognised this need and it has launched a mind-
the deep and dark world that we still know little about,
changing concept that includes public engagement,
just to serve multinationals for extracting cobalt, nickel,
governance, ethics and opening science and innovation
copper, iron, manganese and other rare metals, how does
towards society and making them more accessible to
it benefit wider society and what are the environmental
citizens. Of course, this is a long-term strategy that will
consequences? The choices that are made in terms
require a major change in the mind-sets within the thick
of further developing all these areas have numerous
layers of public and private administrations.
impacts across a range of issues such as environmental,
Such a real public engagement in decision making is
6
being trialled and fostered by the MARINA project across
long-term solutions;
its different partner countries through a series of face-to-
• Creating a common vision and concrete measurable
face workshops focussing on a local Blue Growth issue of
actions among stakeholders is possible to achieve in
major concern and also through its on-line Knowledge
a very short time thereby providing value for society,
Sharing Platform, which is a virtual meeting place for
the environment and the well-being of both;
people of all backgrounds to share knowledge, ideas and
• Dedication and sponsorship by the main actors to
opinions in relation to the Blue Growth agenda.
involve citizens in their decision-making processes
So, what have we learned from the 17 local workshops
helps them reach better-informed decisions.
and 3 international workshops that have been organised so far by the project partners? Some key lessons include:
On the MARINA Knowledge Sharing Platform you will
• Open dialogue shifts the mind-sets and private
find the specific executive summaries and reports of
agendas of stakeholders towards a common vision
all 17 workshops showing you the necessity of public
and a common good;
engagement in a full range of Blue Growth issues, the value of involving society in science and innovation as
• Citizens are actively participating, providing concrete
well as the concrete action plans decided.
examples of issues but also solutions; • Addressed topics and concerns are not openly known
The Blue Growth agenda is our agenda no matter if you
and misconceptions exist that drive wrong decision
live close to the sea or inland. We should all have a say in
making;
how it is developed and implemented. You can start to get involved by joining the MARINA community today.
• A more open minded approach from institutions for collaboration with diverse stakeholders in other sectors is necessary to guarantee sustainable and
www.marinaproject.eu 7
Voices from stakeholders Engaging stakeholders to solve current marine challenges: the MARINA experience by Saša Reicevich and Francesca Ronchi, ISPRA - Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research Public engagement in solving societal issues relevant
tourism to marine renewable energy and urban planning
to H2020 marine challenges is a central approach of the
in coastal areas. The international MML workshops,
MARINA project. To date, several activities focusing on
stemming from the results of the local workshops and
Stakeholder Dialogue and Citizen Awareness have been
linking to the International Year of Sustainable Tourism
carried out by the project partners in 2016 and 2017, both
for Development, the international theme of 2017,
at local (national) and international levels, and a second
focused on how Responsible Research and Innovation
round of these activities is foreseen in 2018.
could contribute to implementing sustainable tourism and sustainable development goals, while addressing
Fourteen partners of the MARINA consortium and four
four different marine aspects: sea pressures and marine
associated partners organized local Mobilization and
environmental status, management of marine living
Mutual Learning (MML) workshops in 12 different
resources and sustainable seafood, uses and urbanization
countries: Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, France,
of coastal areas and sustainable energy sources.
Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain and
In order to foster the fruitful engagement of so many
Turkey. These activities directly involved 419 citizens
different stakeholders, participative methods of dialogue
including, among others: 81 citizens, 66 local, national and
were adopted, allowing the participants to share ideas,
international policy makers, 65 business representatives,
resolve divergences, integrate opinions and perceptions,
104 scientists, 58 representatives of NGOs and CSOs, 24
and create a consensus around a potential roadmap, the
students and 4 journalists. Moreover, about 3 hundred
implementation of which would foster the solution of the
stakeholders followed the activities in live streaming.
issues identified within the hot topic.
Additionally, three international MML workshops have
MARINA partners are currently working on workshop
been organized by three MARINA partners this year in
reports and executive summaries. The individual results
Italy, France and Denmark. The fourth one is expected in
of the workshops are already available on the MARINA
Ireland in October. They involved about 80 stakeholders
platform (www.marinaproject.eu). They will be also
from local to European levels.
collated and summarised in a single report which will be
Each MML workshop addressed a single “hot topic”
used for further engagement of RRI communities and will
relating a specific marine societal challenge to
be shared with relevant European Union, national and
Responsible
local policy makers.
Research
and
Innovation
(RRI)
and
explored, through participative methodologies, how
The results of national and international MML workshops
the RRI dimensions might contribute to solve it. The
will be presented in our next newsletter, so stay tuned for
range of topics varied from marine pollution and litter,
MARINA project activities!
sustainable fishing and aquaculture, sustainable coastal
8
GEOTA - Group for Studies on Spatial Planning and Environment experiencing MARINA workshop in Faro, Portugal After MARINA Mobilisation and Mutual Learning (MML) Workshop “Sun, sand…and safety! How long will we have beaches?” held in Faro, Portugal on January 21st 2017, our teammate Tiago Garcia, from EurOcean had a chat with Marlene Marques. Here are the outcomes.
Q. According to your experience, to what extent have the MARINA workshop and its knowledge products been successful in strengthening the linkage between policy, RRI and citizen awareness? A. GEOTA only participated in one workshop but we believe it was very valuable. Our participation in the MARINA workshop served to corroborate what we defended in our organization: the discussion within interdisciplinary groups involving the academy and different stakeholders leads to better policies and programs and that benefits the implementation and development of actions. Q. Has the information obtained through the workshop somehow produced an impact on your organization activities? Marlene Marques is the president of GEOTA (Grupo de Estudos de Ordenamento do Território e Ambiente – Group for Studies on
Spatial
Planning
and
Environment), one of the oldest and most famous environmental NGOs operating in Portugal. Like one of the most respected Portuguese coastal researchers said
in
the GEOTA
annual
seminar “To do one event to promote
ocean
conservancy…
A. It is still not very noticeable but we feel it was important in terms of networking as we got to meet new partners and stakeholders in a closer and less institutional way. Also, we loved the World café methodology and decided to start using it in our own events. For example, at the end of the Coastwatch Annual Seminar held on July 6, 7 and 8, 2017, this methodology was applied to discuss how much are the current Portuguese training and educational programs contributing to the sustainability of the ocean. We therefore consider our participation in this first year of MARINA to be useful and we will continue to apply the experience and knowledge that we got with it. Q. To what extent have you managed to network with or to mobilise other stakeholders after the MARINA workshop? A. I personally tried to make the most of my participation in the workshop to disseminate information about GEOTA’s activities on the coast, the sea and sustainable tourism, and to make contacts with new partners. In fact we got in touch with some of the participants. We contacted AIHSA – the Algarve Association of Tourism Entrepreneurs - to exchange views on the concerns and involvement of the sector in the Algarve coast and the internalization of the sustainable development of tourism.
is easy; to keep doing it for 27
Q. Did you enjoy the MARINA workshop?
years… is remarkable”.
A. Absolutely! It was very well organized. The hosts were of great friendliness. The schedules were scrupulously followed. We took the most out of the time we spent together. The keynote speakers were very well chosen and the presentation timings were adequate. The do it in an 19th century café was inspiring. Logistic-wise it was perfect as we had excellent accessibility by public transportation. Even the lunch provided was very well chosen.
GEOTA coordinates the Coastwatch Portugal initiative, which is a project based on coastal citizen science. The 27th annual campaign of the project has been underway this year under the theme Sustainable Tourism. Among the partners involved: the Lisbon Oceanarium, several municipalities, schools, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Education, a large group of citizens, many environmental NGOs like Azorica, Oikos Leiria, Quercus, the LPN, the Portuguese Body of Scouts among others. GEOTA participated in the requalification of the landmark cliff of the beach at Praia do Telheiro, near Vila do Bispo in the southwest of Portugal, which is one the most relevant geo-monuments of the Portuguese coast. GEOTA is also part of the PASC-Casa da Cidadania Sea Cluster which aims at improving the engagement of citizens in marine-related discussions. Finally, GEOTA has supported the preparation of the MAR program of the Portuguese Association of Navy Retired Military whose objective is to work on ocean literacy from pre-school to secondary education. More info on GEOTA www.geota.pt
9
Unlocking hidden knowledge: a young activist at MARINA Worskhop in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France by Viktoria Brunner, Student at University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna and current Intern at Nausicaa
Researchers, entrepreneurs, teachers, translators and
find different aspects of how one idea can influence
concerned citizens came to Nausicaa, an aquarium
another. That is why including a wide range of different
and coordinator of the programme Mr. Goodfish about
stakeholders who explain different point of views is
sustainable seafood consumption. Boulogne-sur-Mer is
crucial.
France’s leading fishing port and Europe’s leading port
Some people we contacted for the workshop were
for processing and, moreover, 2017 is the International
reluctant to participate as they feared their level of
Year of Sustainable Tourism. So the workshop was called:
English or expertise wasn’t sufficient, the workshop
“Maritime Cuisine Meets Sustainable Tourism”.
method would be too demanding or the topic too
The workshop’s methodology implied voting on ideas
complex. But participation isn’t about expertise, it
that represented answers to the question: “What types
is about engagement and a sense of belonging. And
of Responsible Research and Innovation actions should
MARINA targets everyone who is interested in marine
be put in place so that sustainable seafood production
and maritime issues. Foreign languages (in a national
and consumption could contribute to competitive and
or technical sense), apparent lack of expertise or highly
sustainable coastal and maritime tourism in Europe?” We
engaging workshop methods shouldn’t have a deterrent
didn’t only take into account ideas that received lots of
effect. Communication towards potential participants
votes but also those that had potential to influence other
should therefore be clear and encouraging.
ideas. In order to determine influence on other ideas, two
Stakeholders may possess knowledge that is unknown to
ideas were compared at a time and we, the participants,
others and simple communication about this knowledge
discussed whether we saw an influence or not.
can lead to major changes in decision-making.
We learned that voting can exclude influential ideas
Stakeholders are not just external parts of a system – it’s
because it doesn’t consider potential impacts. Different
literally they who hold in their hands everything that is
stakeholders know different things and therefore
at stake.
10
MARINA Highlights The Ocean Conference at a Glance by Iwona Gin, Nausicaa The United Nations conference Our Oceans, our future:
multi-stakeholder
partnering for the implementation of Sustainable
participants worked toward identifying ways to support
Development Goal 14 was held from 5 to 9 June 2017
the execution of SDG14. They shared experiences and
at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. It was
best practices in the implementation of SDG14 across
organised to support implementation of the Sustainable
different sectors and levels. Thirdly, the conference
Development Goal 14 (SDG14): Conserve and sustainably
encouraged scientific and technological innovation.
use the oceans, seas and marine resources.
Accordingly, it called for dedicating more resources to
About 4ooo delegates from all over the world attended
marine scientific research, interdisciplinary research,
the event. They were Heads of State, ministers,
ocean and coastal observation, collection and sharing of
government representatives, financial bodies, academia,
data and knowledge, including traditional knowledge.
research institutions, private sector, civil society and local
The conference consisted of plenary meetings and
communities.
partnership dialogues for official delegates and side
The aim of the conference was firstly to place the ocean
events organised by civil society. It also hosted exhibitions
in the centre of the political scene by presenting the
about current marine challenges such as e.g. pollution by
SDG14 as the central component of the 2030 Agenda
human activities and sustainable fisheries among others.
and by showing how it relates to all other UN Sustainable
On June 8th a special event was held to celebrate World
Development Goals. Secondly, it aimed at accelerating
Ocean Day.
existing efforts, stimulating innovative actions that
The Ocean conference has had three main outcomes:
address current marine societal challenges and spurring
• Call for Action to strengthen cooperation, increase
Image by Iwona Gin, Nausicaa 11
partnerships.
Consequently,
the
multi-stakeholder
partnerships,
improve
ocean
citizen science.
literacy and data sharing and reduce marine pollution;
Having endorsed Responsible Research and Innovation
• Voluntary commitments by governments, UN bodies,
(RRI), the MARINA activities can contribute to satisfying
civil society, private sector, academia, scientific
these needs. Therefore, a voluntary commitment has been
institutions and other stakeholders;
submitted to the UN on behalf of the project. MARINA
• Key messages from the partnership dialogues to
undertook to increase the awareness of the RRI potential
facilitate knowledge and experience sharing and
of policy-makers, industry, academia and society and
clarify links between SDG14 and other goals.
federate them to strengthen ocean conservation actions
The most significant result of the conference has been
and lead Blue Growth initiatives through governance,
the awareness raised at the high political level about
ethics, citizen involvement, ocean science education and
the importance of the ocean. High-level policy makers
gender equality.
were given first-hand information enabling them to
Moreover, the registry of the voluntary commitments is a
understand the ocean issues and to make informed
source for the MARINA good practice guidelines.
decisions on ocean health and integrate the SDG14 into
The Ocean conference has also been an opportunity to
national development strategies.
promote the MARINA project, by the partners XPRO
The conference also highlighted the need for stronger
Consulting and Nausicaa, on the international high-level
high seas governance and sustainable use of marine
scene and to network in view of new partnerships and
resources in the Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction by
initiatives.
implementing the law as reflected in the UN Convention
The high number of voluntary commitments (1372 up till
on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
now) is evidence of a significant impact generated by the
The Ocean conference addressed the same marine
conference.
societal challenges as the MARINA project giving them
We need now to identify synergies among voluntary
an international perspective and relating them to the
commitments, to carry out joint activities, to develop
Sustainable Development Goals and 2030 Agenda.
a plan for reporting on how the commitments are met,
Moreover, it connected them to high-level policy-making
to enact a multi-stakeholder coordination of marine
and showed how to bridge the marine-science policy gap
resource management and to involve land-locked and
that the MARINA project strives to diminish.
developing countries in the ocean management schemes.
The conference emphasised the need for independent
The Ocean conference has raised hopes for reversing the
marine research, better use and transfer of existing
ocean´s deterioration due to human activities and for
technologies, ocean literacy, science communication,
ending the dichotomy between economic activities and
open data sharing and stakeholder engagement and
ocean health.
From waste to art: take action! During the event #plajecurate, organized by Mare Nostrum, on June 3, 2017, in Constanta, Mare Nostrum volunteers began to create an artwork of 16,000 cigarette butts, this amount being revealed in last year's monitoring of the beaches on the Romanian seaside. At the same time, a group of thirty-seven divers ventured to the bottom of the Black Sea in a complex clean-up action, collecting ten kg of waste within two hours. The clean-up activity of the underwater perimeter was an opportunity to highlight the negative effects that our actions have on the environment, but also the measures that we need to take in the future to contribute to the restoration and protection of the environment.
12
Public engagement in RRI by Mara Gualandi, Italian SWAFS (Science with and for Society) Horizon 2020 National Contact Point, APRE - Agency for the Promotion of European Research
processes, where there is a distinct role for citizens
Where and why PE innovations are needed?
and stakeholder groups to contribute to research and
Innovative PE can be defined as new participatory tools
innovation activities.
and methods that have the potential to contribute to a
Public engagement (PE) involves different types of
more dynamic and responsible governance of Research Overall, we observe that PE has become an important
& Innovation (R&I). Better understanding of innovative
theme for European research and innovation activities.
PE processes contributes to a better capacity to renew
In many ways, it is the heart and spirit of responsible
Research & Innovation governance. Therefore, it remains
research and innovation (RRI):
an important task to both continue inventing, innovating,
• it opens practices of research and policy to the public
testing and demonstrating new PE processes, but also
and stakeholders; • it
involves
ethical
develop evaluation practices that help gain insight principles
that
highlight
and understanding of the successes and costs of such
responsibility, gender equality, democracy, as well
activities.
as effectiveness and efficiency of public decision
Where this field is developing?
making; • it explores new ways of informing the public about
The field of PE is developing ‘fast and furiously’ through
prospects and risks of technoscience;
hundreds if not thousands of participatory processes
• it mobilises citizens’ capacities to address related
oriented at R&I. Innovative PE processes are mostly
societal challenges.
initiated by nonprofit organisations such as nongovernment organisations (NGOs), unofficial networks
By setting public engagement (PE) as a key thematic
and associations. Development occurs mostly through
element of responsible research and innovation (RRI),
a broad scale of institutional collaborations, involving
the European Commission continues to promote
also research institutions, governmental agencies,
fundamental changes in the way in which civil
foundations and think tanks, and to a lesser extent,
society and other stakeholders outside the scientific
business companies. Methodologically there has been
community influence – and are expected to influence –
a comprehensive turn from one-way communication
research activities. Ensuing challenges for the research
processes
community need to be carefully reflected. Many
Innovative PE is largely oriented towards addressing
positive developments have occurred during the two
societal challenges.
towards
multiple-way
communications.
latest Science with and for Society (SWAFS) working programmes, and most recently, supported by the
Methods of ‘upstream engagement’ are being largely
EU’s RRI policies. While new activities are emerging
developed, especially in anticipatory projects. One of
and institutional conditions for research funding and
the key findings of the Marina project is that innovative
performing organizations are becoming more robust,
PE has often had truly versatile impacts, not only on
some new questions emerge.
R&I but also on the environment, society, politics – and individuals. 13
Coordinator
Consortium partners
www.marinaproject.eu