The OceanTeacher Global Academy

Because of the oceans’ transboundary nature, beyond national jurisdiction, and millions of people being
exposed globally to the risks of sea-level rise, ocean research and management require highly skilled
professionals, prepared to jointly develop and apply solutions to very challenging conditions. The
OceanConnectXL network has the scientific goal to foster research and policy-support research for capacity
development in ocean management, covering coastal management, fisheries, climate change mitigation,
amongst others. This is developed based on partnerships within a global network of scientists trained in
Flanders, Belgium, in cooperation with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO
OceanTeacher Global Academy (OTGA) network of training centres. Flanders (Belgium) here is a catalyst, to
(i) develop OceanConnectXL with Early Career Ocean Professional (ECOP) cohorts and an intergenerational
early career vs. Established Career Ocean Professional (EsCOP) partnership, and (ii) enhance OTGA Regional
Training Centre of Belgium activities in professional training for ocean research. OceanConnectXL envisions
two major outcomes: (1) Support ECOPs in developing “Blue skills” and competencies needed for
international ocean research and policy-research in ocean management by creating training opportunities;
(2) Develop mechanisms for international research collaboration through community building among ECOPs
and EsCOP. Indeed, Flanders has a unique and strong position to foster collaboration at a global level and
intergenerationally. It has a disproportionately large interest and output in marine science, its many universities have specialised in highly complementary marine research, and the Flanders Marine Institute
(VLIZ) in a support as well as research function (Compendium for Coast and Sea1). This research supports the
renowned international and interuniversity marine education and its many alumni (MSc Marine and
Lacustrine Science and Management – ‘Oceans & Lakes’ and other MSc2) from this region. Flanders also (i)
has a long history of support to UNESCO-IOC on capacity development initiatives in ocean research,
management, and services; and (ii) has been fundamental to the development of UNESCO-IOC International
Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE), hosting IODE Programme Office since 2005, which
has also coordinated IOC Capacity Development Unit for the past years. UNESCO-IOC mandated by the UN to
coordinate the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 (referred to as the
‘Ocean Decade’). This initiative aims to generate transformative ocean science at all levels to achieve a wellfunctioning
ocean in support of all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), connecting people and our
oceans. The Ocean Decade has been highlighted as a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to join from across the
world with a common vision: ‘The Science we need for the Ocean we want’3. With the OceanConnectXL
network, we aim to address a frequent problem: highly trained marine graduates are often recruited into
(responsible) management functions in home institutions or with new employers. This undervalorises their
potential in ocean science and misses opportunities offered by a highly skilled and international
background. By incentivising alumni to collaborate internationally and jointly search for project calls we
revalorise earlier educational efforts in Flanders, and support UNESCO-IOC. The OceanTeacher Global
Academy (OTGA) invited the ICA-team to support their capacity building activities by the OceanConnectXL
initiative.