Our engagement with the Ocean - Apre

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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