VENICE DECLARATION FOR OCEAN LITERACY IN ACTION
How to engage society to regenerate the most valuableecosystem on our Planet

PREAMBLE
We, the Delegates convened in Venice for the Ocean Literacy World Conference, extend ourheartfelt appreciation to the Italian Government and the Municipality of Venice for hosting us in thisexceptional setting: a city whose profound relationship with the sea has shaped its very essence.
The history, identity, and destiny of Venice, like many coastal cities and regions around the world,reflect the interdependent nature of our relationship with the ocean.
INTRODUCTION
The ocean is the lifeblood of our planet, producing more than half of the oxygen on planet Earth,regulating our weather and climate and underpinning the water cycle which makes life on landpossible. The ocean provides sustenance; it is a space for fun and recreation, and it supports ourmental and physical health. The ocean's well-being is inseparable from our own. As ourunderstanding of marine ecosystems improves, so too does our awareness of the impact that ourbehavior has on the ocean's health. This interconnectedness underscores the critical role ofOcean Literacy in shaping a sustainable future and for the success of the UN Decade of Ocean
Science for Sustainable Development.
Ocean Literacy is more than understanding ocean science; it means recognizing the far-reachingconsequences of our actions. By cultivating a global culture of ocean stewardship, we can facilitate
a future where we thrive in harmony with the ocean. It is our collective will and responsibility tofoster a more just and sustainable relationship with our vital global commons: all life on Earthdepends on it. We need an ocean-literate society that advocates for policies that respect theocean’s inherent right to exist, flourish and regenerate.
The Ocean Literacy movement has undergone a remarkable evolution. From its beginnings
as a school-based initiative to teach ocean science, it has blossomed into a vibrant, global
community that recognizes the ocean's vital importance to our future. This diverse network,
spanning cultures, generations, and geographies, shares a passion for the ocean and acommitment to respect it. In a promising shift, the movement is increasingly embracing the wisdomof Indigenous and local communities, and acknowledging the critical role of an ocean-literatesociety.

Through common purpose and close collaboration, this community is working tirelessly to restore
humanity's relationship with the ocean. These efforts align with the goals of the Ocean Decade andwill be instrumental in building a sustainable ocean economy that ensures environmental well-being
and human prosperity for generations to come.

GOALS
The Declaration is designed to catalyze a new wave of action to establish Ocean Literacy inthe spheres of education, science, policy, economics, and culture. By restoring and expanding
humanity's understanding of the ocean, Ocean Literacy will empower communities to respect themarine environment and preserve ocean cultures around the world. Ultimately, it can become thefoundation for all sustainable development.
ACTIONS
We urge the governments of France and Costa Rica, as co-hosts of the upcoming 2025 United
Nations Ocean Conference in Nice (UNOC 2025), as well as all UN Member States and all otherstakeholders and interested parties, to place Ocean Literacy at the forefront of the conference
agenda. We commit to enacting the actions outlined below in all our programmes and we appeal
for the forging of robust partnerships with local and Indigenous communities, educational andscientific institutions, businesses and the broader public. In the year leading up to UNOC 2025, we
demand the following policies and strategies be implemented without leaving anyone behind:Make policy, urban and coastal planning more participatory by motivating governments andall stakeholders through Ocean Literacy programs for municipalities, engineers, architects, local
businesses and residents to educate them on ocean governance, ocean law, ocean health,pollution (plastic and other forms of pollution), and the ocean-climate nexus. Improving Ocean
Literacy in urban and coastal areas and fostering collaboration among key actors enables citizens
and policymakers to create balanced, forward-looking policies together.
Launch transdisciplinary programs to better understand and inform our behaviour; merge
natural, social, and behavioural sciences with humanities, spirituality and ocean-centric design injoint projects and studies. This approach values traditions but also evaluates them according torecent scientific findings. By fostering collaboration with non-academic stakeholders, Indigenous
Peoples, coastal and local communities, we develop opportunities such as citizen science andnature-based solutions centred around knowledge, ethics, and experience.
Develop a solid and adaptable Ocean Literacy framework for formal and non-formal
educational systems for all stakeholders, from students to educators, and policy makers. The
challenges we face—climate change, systemic crisis, resource depletion—demand for atransdisciplinary, holistic, experiential, skill-based approach, not only in classrooms but also
outdoors, in nature and by the water. In parallel, we need to raise awareness about the ocean’sdemands and opportunities, and ask governments and educators to expand the Blue School
network and support partnerships between countries. An integrated Ocean Literacy educationalframework should ensure the protection of human and ocean rights and restore value to local andtraditional knowledge systems as well as to intangible heritage practices.
Enhance access to funding to expand Ocean Literacy, sustainable ocean-climate andnature-based solutions, as well as social and technological innovation. By favouring publicprivate initiatives, simplifying application processes, offering mentorship, and ensuring equitable
opportunities, we can fully harness human creativity and drive meaningful change in ourrelationship with the ocean.
Make Ocean Literacy actionable, accessible, equitable, diverse, and inclusive. We urge
governments and institutions to adopt a multifaceted approach: from physical to digital andmultisensory experiences, in multiple languages, and across different media. Bringing together
ocean knowledge and active exchange with life and professional experiences forges emotionalbonds and allows for more actionable engagement.
Raise awareness of the complex, interconnected link between ocean health, biodiversity,
human well-being and climate change. We must confront the impact of short and long-term
human behaviour as a regenerative force and as a destructive one. We demand for a systemic
approach to restore, repair, regenerate and reconnect our relationship with the ocean in all ouractivities—sports and recreation, jobs, education and governance.

Co-create resilience programs through education, funding, and policy. Ocean Literacy inAction is a framework that can empower vulnerable communities to share what they learn fromdirect experience. Indigenous, coastal and local communities must be empowered, and we must
actively promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in all our efforts.
Safeguard and promote the wealth of marine cultural heritage to rebuild identity andbelonging, encompassing both tangible and intangible aspects. The preservation of this legacy isessential to respect the long-term health of ocean ecosystems. A reimagined approach is required,
one that empowers Indigenous Peoples, coastal and local communities as stewards andrecognizes their rights and wisdom. It is imperative that we prioritize community-centred
approaches to protect coastal and submerged natural and cultural heritage, ensuring that this richlegacy forms an integral part of a more sustainable ocean future.
Disseminate multisensorial multimedia campaigns and bottom-up initiatives to advocate forthe importance of an ocean-literate society. Inclusive approaches facilitate engagement withbroad and diversified audiences—trained ocean communicators, artists, information designers,
skilled mediators—who can incorporate diverse knowledge systems and cultural heritage into
ocean narratives.
Foster a sustainable ocean literate workforce. We must invest in holistic transdisciplinary
education that bridges the gaps between sciences and humanities, finance, and technology.
Encourage inter-generational dialogue and exchange, value Early Career Ocean Professionals’(ECOPs) mindset, include them in the decision-making process and create the environment toallow them to emerge as new leaders. Inform students about job opportunities, legitimize theworkforce, and offer life-long learning. This will build capacity among ocean professionals to shapean equitable, sustainable ocean economy while preserving ocean health.
FUTURE VISION
The Venice Declaration is a contribution to the wider global conversation around sustainability andthe ocean, advocating for the inclusion of Ocean Literacy as a central element at UNOC 2025.

The Declaration is conceived as a living document that will evolve through continuous dialogue
among stakeholders everywhere. As such, the Declaration belongs to no single individual or
institution, but to everyone. It is a common heritage which will be refined and expanded from thegrassroots to advocate for Ocean Literacy worldwide, and, ultimately, to restore humanity’srelationship with the ocean.