22.01.18 | The Free Hanseatic City of Bremen is launching a new project on the protection of the sea as part of the long-term climate partnership between Bremen and the South African city of Durban. The aim of the project "Bremen-Durban Network for Marine Environmental Education" is to hold special training courses to provide pupils and young adults with comprehensive knowledge on the subject of marine conservation. The youngsters then pass on their newly acquired know-how to their communities in order to promote public awareness of the importance of marine conservation. At the end of January, the project will start with a kick-off workshop at the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT). A South African delegation of representatives from non-governmental organisations and the city administration of Durban will take part in the workshop.
The "Bremen-Durban Network for Marine Environmental Education" focuses in particular on marine pollution caused by plastic waste and the input of nutrients and pollutants. “Only by raising awareness of the importance of the coasts and oceans can sustainable environmental protection succeed,” says Dr. Shazia Aziz Wülbers, who manages the project on behalf of the City of Bremen. "I am pleased that this project involves training up to 50 young people to become “Ocean Champs” over the course of the next two years and that teachers will be trained for the course.”
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (SDGs) for the improvement of people's living conditions and the protection of the earth are also included in the approach. SDG 4 "Education" is the basis for improving people's lives and sustainable development. Objective 14 "Life Below Water" includes, inter alia, the reduction of marine pollution caused by marine waste and nutrient pollution. SDG 17 "Partnerships for the Goals" focuses on global cooperation to promote sustainable development.
From January 29 to 31, 2018, a South African delegation, consisting of representatives of non-governmental organisations and the Durban municipality, will visit Bremen to attend the kick-off workshop for this project. On the part of Bremen, the BUND Bremen (Friends of the Earth Germany), the Leibniz Centre for Marine Tropical Research (ZMT) and the MARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen support the project with their expertise in the field of marine environmental education and knowledge transfer. The kick-off workshop takes place at the Leibniz Centre for Marine Tropical Research (ZMT).
Contact:
Dr. Shazia Aziz Wülbers
Free Hanseatic City of Bremen
The representative of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen at the Federal Government,
for Europe and development cooperation
Ansgaritorstraße 22
28195 Bremen, Germany
Email:
Phone: +49 (0)421 361-4041
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