To celebrate World Ocean Day 2020 Mundus maris invites schools to draw and write - extended to November - See new announcement

On June 8, 2020 we celebrate again World Ocean Day. We celebrate together the marine world, its harmony and its beauty. We are in awe discovering its wonders and secrets. And we are also committed about taking care of it and protecting it from threats such as pollution and mistreatment of its living beings. The World Ocean Day theme for 2020 is 'Innovation for a sustainable ocean'.

Mundus maris (Brussels) has been organising the Mundus maris Awards for every World Ocean Day, rewarding artistic and literary talents of young people dedicated to the ocean. For 2020, we make this new proposal: to write and draw together and compile the Book of the Marine World in collaboration with educational institutions, giving support during the process and thanking the participants with diplomas and publications.

Why do we invite schools from around the globe?

We invite schools to join this adventure with their collective work. This can be as part of class or free time. Teachers, together with their school and students, who consider this a valuable and an achievable proposal are very welcome to join. They will be supported in bringing the marine world in a creative and scientific way to their classrooms.

What is the proposal for producing a Book of the Marine World Together?

Your contributions in words and images will make up the Book of the Marine World 2020. Students – minimum age 9 years - and teachers of the participating schools from around the world share their collective work freely and naming its authors to give credit.

Chapters of the book

  • The beauty of the sea: drawings, illustrations of the sea. Colours, textures, perspectives on the sea; the horizon, the beach, the tide, a storm at sea, its waves and its depth.
  • The living beings that inhabit the sea: fish, whales, turtles, dolphins, seagulls that approach from above, bivalves and snails on the bottom of the sea, the people who visit the beach, fish or sail on the sea.
  • Imaginary beings that inhabit the sea: mermaids, the Greek gods of the sea (Poseidon, Ariel), Olokun, a marine spirit of Yoruba origin on both sides of the Atlantic, the Pirates of the Caribbean, cartoons
  • The challenges facing the sea: overfishing, pollution, marine transport, continuous exploration of fossil energies, climate change
  • Caring for the sea: marine protected areas, the investigation of the diversity of life and its protection, beach cleaning actions
  • Us and the sea: the feelings that human beings have had in front of the sea throughout history. The tasks of men and women at sea: fishers, women fish traders, sailors, sportsmen
  • Artists inspire us: here you can tell or illustrate for yourself what you have learned from the pen of other writers, painters, photographers and cartoonists. To mention a few: Hemingway, Sorolla, Anita Conti, or Disney
  • A missing chapter? You can add topics to be suggested by the participants.

Materials02How can you participate?

Participating schools are invited or can register on their own initiative at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.: with the following information:

  • name of school
  • name of the teacher(s)
  • number of pupils in class expected to participate
  • age bracket of pupils / level of class
  • preferred language
  • city and country.

Paper format (A4 single sheets): we propose using the A4 format (21 cm x 29.7 cm) for easy scanning or photographing. Mark the name, age, city of residence of the pupil or student as well as the school on each sheet. Teachers mark their name, city and school.

Means of free expression: (only own and original materials collected and transmitted by participating schools): illustrations, drawings, photos, poetry, stories, own experimentation, expressions and feelings, and especially proposals to care for the sea in new and effective ways.

Languages that we can handle are: EN, FR, ES, DE, IT.

How does Mundus maris support participating schools?

Materials: Mundus maris can send artistic and bibliographic materials, if requested. You can also find a lot of information on our website about current ocean issues. Alternatively, we provide support for buying locally according to the list of standard materials.

Expert support (visit or a skype-conference):
Mundus maris has an enthusiastic expert team including members of previous juries. We have advisors able to communicate in several languages.

Edition and publication: Mundus maris intends to publish the Book of the marine world, a collection of the sheets sent by schools from around the world, both on paper (some copies for participating libraries and schools) and in digital form. By 21 November 2020, World Fisheries Day, the digital version of the book is intended to be freely shared on the internet (the works contained in the book remain the property of their authors, and are published under a creative commons license).

Express your interest and we get in touch to start directly. A school can participate in one or more chapters of the Book of the marine world, according to its possibilities.

Because of the covid-19 crisis Deadline extended: Contributions can be sent until 10 November for the 2020 edition. Take a photograph of each sheet for your own record before sending, preferably by courrier (check address with the coordinator). We'll strive to have all your inputs to this collective effort ready for 21 November, World Fisheries Day!

If you have questions or need any clarifications, contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Send a confirmation copy online to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 10 November 2020 in JPG.

Latest update: We thank all schools and individuals having sent in their creative contributions. Diplomas are sent in time for World Fisheries Day followed by token recognitions. Please bear with us that production of the book is somewhat delayed.

All participating students, teachers and any supporting artists receive an honorary diploma. The schools that have delivered their contributions to the Book in time shall also receive a print copy of the book by mail.

The Mundus maris Coordinator for the World Ocean Day Youth engagement with schools 2020 is Patricia Morales supported by Claudia Mense.

Materials for the Book of the marine world

For the beginning, if schools need it, and depending on the number of participating students, you can send at least:

Paper 160 grams A4 (and folder to stock and protect) 100 sheets
Paper: 80 grams (for trials) 200 sheets
Black pencils (HB, B) and erasers: 40 each
Markers and crayons: 10 sets (with 12 colors)
Watercolors and brushes: 5 sets (with 12 colors)
Tempera / or acrylic / and brushes: 5 sets (with 12 colors)
Papers for collage: 10 sets
Stickers, etc. can be sent, but are not mandatory
Washable glue and scissors: 5 each