The kids had a heyday and donned their best to illustrate the four blue notebooks, and the adults reflected often long and hard, how best to answer the questions put forward to make progress on ocean protection and restoring it to former health.

Mundus maris asbl had initiated the side event in the enthusiastic atmosphere of ‘The Whale’ / ‘La Baleine’, the so-called Green Zone of the UN Ocean Conference, open to the public in the ‘Palais des Congrès’ in Nice, France.

In three occasions, visitors were invited to add their perspectives and priorities to the general aspirational government statements such that together we advance action everywhere.

The visitors had very clear idea about what needed to be done. They argued vividly for marine protected areas including a moratorium on deep sea mining, protection of biodiversity, climate action, an end to harmful fisheries practices and subsidies, and social justice. Quite a number, however, expressed doubts whether governments would do the needful and would stop listening primarily to lobbies.

We had many conversations that addressed this self-fulfilling prophecy drawing attention to examples how positive change had been possible when people stood together speaking with one voice.

It’s a conversation to be had to create the necessary engagement and the will to step up action for the ocean. Especially during the long afternoon in the open space of the UNESCO pavilion, the energy was palpable and several visitors volunteered for some collaboration afterwards. For example, several school teachers not only provided thoughtful responses to the questions, but also wanted to use the role play ‘Protecting Blue Horizons’ in class. The role play is about making a marine protected area work through deliberations among actually or potentially contrasting interest groups that leads to translating biodiversity protection into local practice.

Mundus maris teamed up with several partners for these rewarding side events. They were listed on our website since we made the original proposal for the side event, together with the questions put to the public. You can still add your voice to this exciting journey by clicking on the QR code to share your answer. We will shortly start compiling the answers in an eBook for wide dissemination. Watch this space for more.