The international jury of the Mundus maris Awards contest
We are happy to announce the International Jury of the Mundus maris Awards contest to celebrate World Oceans Day 2016. It is great to have such a wonderfully diverse and competent group of professionals at our side to select the best submissions from youths from different places.
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Jai AcharyaDirector Asia-Pacific of the International Oceans Institute (IOI), Singapore FPManaging Director (ISB-Singapore)International Shipping Bureau (Singapore)Expert in the maritime industry and engaged in promotion of World Oceans Day in the Asia Pacific region, including with young people. |
Gonzalo AlvarezArtist. Founder of Proyecto Bio which invites people, particularly young ones, to use painting and arts to appreciate nature and connect to it. Based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Gonzalo uses his art to stimulate greater environmental consciousness and promotes sustainable living on our blue Planet. |
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Anna BalzariniGeologist from the University of Turin, Italy, with a specialisation in Environmental and Applied Geology; working in Belgium since 1992; expertise in science communication, environment sustainability and natural resources preservation.
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Francesca ContiScience journalist with a scientific background. She is CEO of the science communication agency Formicablu S.r.l., where she manages different projects for institutional bodies, NGOs and private companies |
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Eduardo Heinrich-SanchezChief Navigator, World O.C.E.A.N.(World Ocean Culture & Education Action Network for Education Reform, Innovation & Diplomacy). Eduardo is an award winning environmental activist and educator. He is planting the seeds of innovation by motivating students and teachers to communicate with confidence and fun, Ryukyu Islands, Okinawa, JAPAN. |
Grita Loebsack de SáenzInterpreter at high level conferences and international events, for international organisations and ministries for Spanish, English and French to German. |
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Juma Edwine NabiswaPrograms Officer at Eco Ethics Kenya with responsibilities to develop the calendar of activities for Eco Clubs of schools and promoting mangrove rehabilitation drives.
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Doudou NdiayeTeacher and deputy Director at a primary school Santa Yalla in Rufisque, Senegal, with particular interest in sports teaching for general awareness about the environment and professionalising local cultural associations. |
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Maria Lourdes Palomares (PhD)Associate Scientific Director of the FishBase Information and Research Group (FIN), and the Project Coordinator of SeaLifeBase. She is a Senior Research Associate with the Sea Around Us Project in charge of issues related to FishBase and also active in volunteering for science education for children. |
Jan SeysHead of communication at the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), Belgium, and chair of the European Marine Board Communications Panel (EMBCP). As a marine biologist he used to work in marine and estuarine research in Belgium/Netherlands (10 years) and as a managing-director (2 years) of a bilateral Kenya-Belgium cooperation in marine sciences. Now mostly active in marine science communication and ocean literacy. |
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Maria del Carmen Patricia Morales (PhD)
is the Mundus maris Board member supporting and coordinating the work of the international Jury for text and illustrated submissions to the Mundus maris Awards contest 2016.
The video jury
This year we're testing something new by creating the opportunity for submitting videos to connect audiences to the Motto "Healthy Ocean, Healthy Planet". We are proudly presenting the international jury for the Special Prize of the Jury.
The Jury is chaired by renowned underwater videographer Danny van Belle.
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Danny van BelleDanny van Belle is an award-winning Belgian underwater photographer and videographer working with his wife Caroline as a "spotter" to document the beauty of marine life, particularly in the tropics. Every two years, he organises the HUGYCUP underwater photography competition. The next edition is scheduled for 2017.
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Dr. Claudia Wosnitza-MendoDr. Wosnitza-Mendo is a German Scientist working since 1978 with the Peruvian Marine Institute (IMARPE). During the last years before retirement she was an advisor to the Scientific Director of IMARPE. Her main field of investigation is related to fisheries issues, introducing fish population dynamics courses in the curricula of various Peruvian universities and doing research for sustainability and fisheries management. Ultimately she also entered the field of Climate Change impact on fisheries. Among others, she collaborated for some years (2005-2008) with INCOFISH, an international research collaboration, a Star Project sponsored by European Union. |
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Mathilde JounotMathilde Jounot is a scriptwriter and film director as well as a movie producer. She was a journalist in a press magazine and author awarded the literary prize by Nausicaa. She then specialised in directing documentaries and in screenwriting for films. Her last movie was launched in March 2016 at the Fishermen's film festival in Lorient titled "Océans, la voix des invisibles". |
Young participants from eight countries striving for Mundus maris Awards
This year, 59 young people submitted their individual or group works to participate in the contest for Mundus maris Awards as part of the 2016 celebrations of World Oceans Day.
Fifty seven youngsters contributed texts in four languages (English, French, Italian and Spanish) or drawings responding to the two challenges tailored to this year's UN motto "Healthy Ocean, Healthy Planet":
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Why is a healthy ocean needed for a healthy planet?
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How can we care for the health of the ocean?
For each of the two challenges, three age categories were distinguished: up to 12 years, 13 to 18 years and 19 to 24 years.
There were submissions in each of the six categories.
Two young people sent in three video clips trying their luck for the Special Prize of the Jury.
Together they came from eight countries: Argentina, Cameroon, Gambia, Italy, Kenya, Nigeria, Philippines and Senegal.
All participants will receive their honorary diplomas in time for World Oceans Day. The best entries will be published on the website.
The juries will assess each submission and form a consensus about its final vote. The juries are keen to recognise those entries considered in the first tier and hopes to motivate all participants to keep learning about the ocean, improving their story-telling capabilities and become active stewards for healthy oceans and a healthy planet for healthy people as well.
The Mundus maris Club in Senegal establishes the programme for World Oceans Day
What is "cooking" to celebrate World Oceans Day 2016 in the fishing village of Hann, in Senegal? The Mundus maris Club is again preparing an attractive programme.
Members of the Mundus maris Club - Senegal met May 5, 2016 in the premises of the Local Artisanal Fishing Committee (known as CLPA by its French acronym) in Hann. This meeting was held on the sidelines of the distribution of the FAO teaching kit produced with the help of Mundus maris who had collaborated in turn with teachers and inspectors in Senegal and Gambia. The combination was fitting because Mundus maris supports the promotion of the integration of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) in the programmes of West African schools. This is considered a permanent task to engage people, particularly school age children and youth, in respecting the ocean and its ecosystems. It's also a central theme of World Oceans Day (WOD) proclaimed by the United Nations in 1993 after the Rio Conference.
The programme promises a lot of interesting activities involving debates, cultural activities for youngsters, a beach clean up and more. Click here for details.
The organising committee meetings in Mombasa, Kenya
Mundus maris partner Eco Ethics Kenya is planning a lovely event in Mombasa together with other local organisations. Eco Ethics Kenya is headed by Dr. Okeyo Benards.
Juma Erwine, Programme Officer, tells us: "One of our Eco Club schools, Sacred Heart Primary School, will be hosting the event. Plans are in their very advanced stages.
The organizing committee has been very inclusive, bringing on board various stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. This will be well depicted in our WOD 2016 report. We will share a copy of the same with you.