Are you an early career ocean professional from or based in Belgium? Are you passionate about ocean conservation and eager to influence policy? Do you want to collaborate with fellow ECOPs and senior ocean professionals from across the Atlantic Ocean? Join us at the 2024 All-Atlantic Forum in Ottawa for an intergenerational dialogue session – applications accepted until 8 July 2024!
Building on the success of the intergenerational dialogue at the Galway Statement 10-year anniversary, this session will be part of the 2024 All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance Forum held in Ottawa, aiming to foster intergenerational dialogue and ensure the systematic integration of ECOP perspectives and ideas into policy formulation. The session will provide a platform for ECOPs to collaborate with senior ocean professionals, engage in thematic group work focused on the thematic priorities of the Alliance (see Thematic Priorities section below), and present innovative solutions to key ocean governance challenges to the representatives and policy makers of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance.
For more information, visit the All-Atlantic website: https://allatlanticocean.org/news/canada-to-host-2024-all-atlantic-ocean-research-and-innovation-alliance-forum-in-ottawa-ontario-2/.
- Facilitate Intergenerational Exchange: Engage in meaningful dialogue with leaders, policymakers, and practitioners to share insights and opportunities in addressing Atlantic Ocean conservation and research and innovation priorities.
- Promote Collaboration: Work together with ECOPs and senior ocean professionals from All-Atlantic countries to develop actionable solutions for challenges around the priority areas of coastal resilience and ocean observation.
- Empower ECOPs as Leaders: Participate in policy discussions and receive mentorship from senior ocean professionals, showcasing your innovative ideas for sustainable ocean governance.
- Climate Change and Coastal Resilience: Develop outcome-oriented science for mitigating climate change and adapting to its impacts, particularly for increasing coastal community resilience.
- Ocean Observation and Modelling: Improve Atlantic Ocean observing and modelling capacities to support marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
- Networking: Connect with ocean professionals from across the Atlantic and beyond.
- Mentorship: Receive guidance from senior professionals and enhance your professional development.
- Impact: Contribute to the shaping of ocean-related policies and present your ideas to policymakers.
- Eligible applicants must hold either Belgian nationality, residence, or affiliation to a Belgian institution.
- Career Stage: Must be an early career ocean professional (ECOP), following the UN ECOP Programme definition: “An ECOP is a person that self-identifies as being early in their career, within 10 years or less of professional experience in any field related to the ocean. This definition includes post-secondary students and any volunteer roles, so not only employed/paid positions. The term ‘professional’ is used in order to be inclusive of professionals from various sectors of society.”
- Interest: Demonstrated interest in ocean-related research, innovation, and policy development in the Atlantic basin.
- Diversity: Encouraged participation from diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented groups in ocean sciences.
To apply:
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Complete the EOI form detailing your background, motivation, and expected contribution to the session.
- Visa statement: In your application, please clearly state your eligibility to apply for a Canadian eTA or Visa. You can find out which one you need through this link.
- Submission Deadline: 8 July 2024. Please note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so applying before the deadline is encouraged.
- Submission modalities: email your EOI and all relevant files in .pdf format to Lavinia Giulia Pomarico at lavinia.giulia.pomarico@jpi-oceans.eu.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, taking into consideration the candidate's qualifications, relevant experience, and alignment with the eligibility criteria. The selected candidate will be notified no later than 10 July 2024. Upon selection, the candidate must confirm their participation and immediately apply for a visa, if applicable, by 16 July 2024.
For more information about the call for Expression of Interest, please contact Lavinia Giulia Pomarico at lavinia.giulia.pomarico@jpi-oceans.eu.
Join us in Ottawa to make a difference in Atlantic Ocean conservation and policy. We look forward to your participation!