AZTI’s contribution to marine sustainability and coastal education recognised by the European Commission

• The technology centre’s Summer School received last Friday the MakeEUBlue Award from the European Commission’s EU4Ocean coalition.
• From 11 to 13 June, a new edition of the summer course will be held at the San Sebastian Aquarium.
• Topics such as the integration of research into political decision-making and the promotion of sustainable management of marine resources will be addressed.

Pasaia, 3 June 2024– The work of the AZTI technology centre to raise awareness and improve public understanding of the importance of the oceans reached a new milestone last Friday with the MakeEUBlue Award. The award, given by the European Commission’s EU4Ocean Coalition to the technology centre’s summer course, was presented on Friday 31 May as part of European Maritime Day in Svendborg (Denmark).

The recognition underlines AZTI’s commitment to promoting marine sustainability and its dedication to providing quality education in the marine and coastal field. Its achievement has been possible thanks to the innovative approach of its educational programme and its ability to inspire students and professionals, fostering a new generation of leaders in marine science and policy.

‘This award is for all those people who, over the years, through their efforts and dedication, have made AZTI’s summer course a unique environment for training future leaders in marine research and coastal management’, said Ángel Borja an expert in environmental management of seas and coasts at AZTI and director of the summer course since its creation 20 years ago.

New edition in July

From 11 to 13 June, the San Sebastian Aquarium will be the setting for the new 2024 edition of the AZTI Summer Course, which will include the participation of prominent international speakers who will address critical issues such as effective communication in science, the integration of research into political decision-making and the promotion of sustainable management of marine resources.

Under the title ‘Bridging the gap between marine science and policy: Communicating for informed society and decision-making’, the main objective of the 2024 course is to present, both theoretically and practically, different tools and methods for a better transmission of ideas, connecting science and policy in an effective way.

The event will provide a platform for scientists, communicators, managers and policy makers to share knowledge and experiences and work together towards a more sustainable future for our oceans.

The MakeEUBlue Award and this year’s event reflect AZTI’s ongoing commitment to marine education and sustainability. Through its educational and research programmes, AZTI seeks not only to increase knowledge about the oceans, but also to drive positive changes that will ensure the health and vitality of marine ecosystems for future generations.

About the Summer School

Since its inception in 2004, the Summer School has grown significantly under the direction of Dr. Ángel Borja, coordinator of the summer school and also of the GES4SEAS project, which has collaborated with the course for the last three editions. The event is held annually in June in San Sebastian, coinciding with the celebration of World Oceans Day on 8 June.

Over the years, more than 1,200 participants from all over the world, from junior researchers to policy makers, have engaged in the dynamic environment of the school, exploring cutting-edge topics at the intersection of science and policy.

Each year, the Summer School delves into new areas of marine research, fostering innovative methods and debates that bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and societal needs. This approach not only improves the management of marine ecosystems, but also ensures the continued relevance of the school in addressing current and future marine conservation challenges.

The event strategically coincides with World Oceans Day in June to underline its commitment to global marine sustainability.

About MakeEUBlue Awards

The MakeEUBlue Awards is an initiative of the EU4Ocean Coalition that celebrates progress in ocean literacy in Europe. These awards aim to raise awareness of the importance of the seas and encourage ocean literacy initiatives with long-term value.

The coalition consists of a platform for ocean literacy initiatives, a European Youth Forum for the Ocean and a European Blue Schools Network, and covers the Arctic Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the global ocean.