On World Ocean Day 2023 – 7 June 2023 at 13:00 – 14:00 (GMT)
The 2023 World Oceans Day theme is "Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing". The Commonwealth Blue Charter with Fisheries and Oceans Canada will be celebrating women in ocean sciences, policy, education, and communities from across the Commonwealth.
This event builds on our International Women’s Day Social media campaign that invited women to take a break with a nature and walk along local beaches and waterways to reflect on where we currently stand. The webinar (panel discussion) on 7th June, in the lead up to World Oceans Day (8th June), will share stories and actions women are taking to conserve and revitalise our ocean. Speakers will be asked to consider the two themes “Embrace Equity” and "Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing".
Gender equality is a basic human right and fundamental principle of the Commonwealth. It is also widely recognised to have broad and positive implications for the Commonwealth’s goals of eradicating poverty, promoting economic growth and sustainable, peaceful development. A wealth of evidence suggests that, given an enabling cultural and legal context, better educated women can undertake higher-value economic activity; markets are more competitive if women entrepreneurs can use their talents; and greater gender equality in education and employment leads to a more productive workforce, which in turn leads to increased investment and growth.
The past century has witnessed the greatest advances in gender equality in human history. From New Zealand becoming the first self-governing country in 1893 to allow women to vote in parliamentary elections to Sri Lanka electing the world’s first female prime minister in 1960, the gender gap has never narrowed so quickly.
In ocean science, women make up 37% of the workforce and almost 39% of oceanographic researchers. While this is approximately 10% higher than natural science as a whole, we could all benefit from that number reaching parity. Gender equity in relation to ocean science includes understanding that there are inequities in society that may decrease certain genders’ ability to participate in all aspects of ocean science and succeed
Agenda:
12:30 – 13:00 Speakers join the online platform to test Registration and GoToWebinar system
13:00 – 13:05 Webinar begins: Introduction and housekeeping
13:05 – 13:10 Welcome and Opening Remarks
Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth
13:10 – 13:15 Special Address
Her Excellency Hon. Titilupe Fanetupouvava’u Tu’ivakano, High Commissioner, High Commission for Tonga
13:15 – 13:20 Video – Celebrating the achievement of women throughout the Commonwealth
13:20 – 14:00 Fireside Chat with speakers – “From mermaids to science to safety” Including questions from Audience – via chat function
Ms Josephine Latu-Sanft, Senior Communications Officer Media and Public Affairs, Commonwealth Secretariat
Ms Zadile Ndhlovu, The Black Mermaid Foundation
Topic – The impact of youth and storytelling in making change and impact.
Dr Juli-Anne Royes Russo, Founder of the Caribbean Aquaculture Education and Innovation Hub and Women in Caribbean Aquaculture
Topic – The growing regional engagement of women and youth in aquaculture, in the support of livelihoods and environmental sustainability of the aquaculture industry.
Mr Oliver Steeds, OBE, Chief Executive, Mission Director Nekton
Topic – 'Inclusivity in Marine Research Expeditions'
Ms Louise Sanger, MA Head of Research, Interpretation & Engagement Lloyd’s Register Foundation Heritage & Education Centre
Topic – Women in maritime, safety at sea and seafarer wellbeing and the connections with story telling for impact.
14:00 – 14:05 Message from Commonwealth Blue Charter Gender Coordinator
14:05 – 14:15 Concluding Remarks
Ms Josephine Latu-Sanft, Senior Communications Officer Media and Public Affairs, Commonwealth Secretariat (Moderator)
Register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4701501156287748446