Agenda

The Conference is scheduled to take place on the 16th and 17th of April. The Our Ocean Youth Leadership Summit will be held parallel to the main conference, starting the day before, on the 15th of April.

FRIDAY TUESDAY
12 -16 APRIL

All day | Welcome Booth at the airport for youth delegates

At the Athens International Airport: To facilitate a faster badge pick-up process, the Organizing Committee will place two welcome desks in Exit A (Schengen Zone) and Exit B (Non-Schengen Zone) of the Athens International Airport, operating from April 12th to April 16th, on 08:00 – 20:00. Upon arrival, you are encouraged to contact the Our Ocean Airport Welcome Desk, located in your respective arrival Exit, to receive your accreditation badge.

SUNDAY
14 APRIL

Various Locations

10:00-13:00 | Site Visit at Sea Turtle Rescue Center

Lead: Archelon-Τhe Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece

Location: Glyfada, Archelon Premises

Description: Youth Ocean delegates will visit the Sea Turtle Rescue Center, which annually
accommodates approximately 70 injured or sick sea turtles rescued along Greek shores and seas.
The center provides medical care and rehabilitation for the turtles, facilitating their return to the sea. The operation and maintenance of the Sea Turtle Rescue Center rely on specialized permanent staff, volunteers from the Attica region, and volunteers from around the world.

Lead: Ecogenia

Location: Plaka, Litochoro

Description: Ecogenia cohort members will participate in a beach cleanup in Plaka, Litochoro
to kick off their service term in the area. The main goal is to collect waste from the coastline and promote conservation efforts in the area.

Lead: “Let’s do it Greece”

Location: Imitos Mountain and all over Greece

Description: “Let’s do it Greece”, the nationwide volunteer movement, is making its comeback. Since 2012, this initiative has united thousands to clean and beautify every corner of Greece in a single day. This year’s central event, happening on Sunday, April 14th, with a renewed focus on nurturing our forests. This effort preserves our terrestrial ecosystems and also safeguards the vital
connection to our oceans, with volunteers who will help protect our woodlands and green spaces. The main goals of the event are to mobilize volunteers nationwide for the cleanup and preservation of forests, thereby strengthening the crucial environmental link between our forests and oceans and preparing for the fire prevention season with a unified, impactful action.

Lead: Schools autonomously

Location: All over Greece

Description: The goals of this program by the Greek Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports include sensitizing students to flood and forest fire prevention, as well as the impacts of human activities on ecosystems. It aims to provide students with knowledge and skills related
to the environment and encourages their active involvement in protecting Greece’s terrestrial and coastal ecosystems.

Lead: Helmepa

Location: Peace and Friendship Stadium

Description: Helmepa’s team will present a succinct talk on marine pollution, accessible to all age groups.
Clear instructions will be provided pre-event for seamless cleanup coordination. Volunteers will utilize the debris tracker app to record collected waste, contributing to citizen science. The Yacht Club of Greece will deploy educational boats along the beach, displaying informative flags. Finally, a significant moment will
occur as a large banner with the message “United We Can Save the Seas” is revealed, immortalized in a group photo and aerial shot by a drone operator, to be shared globally, emphasizing our collective commitment to marine conservation.

Location: Yacht Club of Greece

Youth Ocean Delegates will be invited to convene at the premises of YCG, located next to Votsalakia Beach, for the Youth Reception. Following the reception, a memorable moment awaits as we gather for a group photo on the expansive balcony area of YCG, set against the stunning backdrop of the sunset.

Special Greetings:

  • Dr. Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou, Prime Minister Special Envoy for the Ocean, Our Ocean Conference 2024 Coordinator, Chair of the Permanent Committee for Environmental Protection at Hellenic Parliament
  • Ms. Jennifer R. Littlejohn, Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, State Department
  • Ms. Olga Stavropoulou, Director General at HELMEPA
  • Ms. Eugenia Barroca, Regional Representative for Europe & Lusofonia, Sustainable Ocean Alliance

Keynote Speaker

Mr. George Procopiou, Chairman of the Yacht Club of Greece

Lead: Yacht Club of Greece (YCG) and the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA), Sustainable Ocean Alliance

MONDAY
15 APRIL

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center

9:00- 9:30 | Registrations
  • Mr. Theodoros Skylakakis, Greek Minister of Environment and Energy
  • Ms. Semiramis Paliou, Chairperson HELMEPA & INTERMEPA
  • Mr. Brandon Levy, Chief Program Officer, Sustainable Ocean Alliance

Lead: Sustainable Ocean Alliance

This segment provides an opportunity for the next generation of ocean advocates to introduce themselves. Each participant will have 30 to 60 seconds to share their name, background, and their commitment to ocean conservation. Through these brief introductions, we aim to highlight young leaders’ diverse perspectives and dedication to safeguarding our oceans for future generations.

Lead: HELMEPA (Blue Horizons partnership with the Yacht Club of Greece)

On-the-spot mentoring, interactive session, with distinguished blue economy leaders/experts who will provide immediate, personalized guidance as young participants pose questions and receive clear, actionable answers right on the spot. This engaging experience goes beyond
conventional presentations, allowing for a dynamic exchange where youth can directly interact with industry leaders. These mentors will share invaluable experiences and journeys, offering practical insights, tips, and firsthand advice on forging a career path within the blue economy. It’s a unique platform where passion meets expertise, fostering mentorship that transcends the summit walls and propels the next generation towards impactful careers in the blue economy.

Lead: HELMEPA (Blue Horizons partnership with the Yacht Club of Greece)

Guided by the expertise of dedicated facilitators, this session involves a dynamic Design Thinking exercise, empowering young leaders to envision a future dedicated to the sustainability and stewardship of our oceans. The outcome is a powerful pledge that could be shared by a youth representative at the next day’s opening plenary with global leaders at the Our Ocean Conference, ensuring the youth’s voice is heard. UN Sustainable Development Goals will form the base and umbrella of discussion, providing a framework for their collective pledge. This dual approach aims to deepen understanding global goals while fostering commitments to drive positive change.
The session will conclude with a group photo.

Lead: National Technical University of Athens & Mantis BI

The “Sea of Ideas Pitching Competition” promises to be an inspiring and forward-thinking event for young
individuals passionate about the oceans. This competition will provide a unique platform for participants
to collaboratively tackle pressing challenges in marine conservation. Attendees will engage in a dynamic exchange of ideas, combining their diverse skills and expertise to  develop innovative solutions.
By fostering creativity and teamwork, this event aims to cultivate the next generation of ocean leaders who will play a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable and resilient future for our marine ecosystems.

  • Dr. Raha Hakimdavar, Professor and Senior Advisor at Georgetown University
  • Dr. Phoebe Koundouri, Professor, Athens University of Economics and Business & Technical University of Denmark, Chair SDSN Global Climate Hub, President EAERE
  • Dr. Emmanuella Doussis, Professor of international institutions at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, UNESCO Chairholder on Climate Diplomacy
  • Dr. Ilias Bissias, Adjunct Lecturer at the Department of Shipping Trade and Transport- University of the Aegean, Editor in Chief- Naftika Chronika Executive Director- Isalos.net

Moderator: Dr. Michael Scoullos, Director of UNESCO Chair & Network on Sustainable Development Management and Education in the Mediterranean, National and Kapodistrian the University of Athens, Chairman Hellenic National Committee MAB/UNESCO

  • Dr. Sylvia Alice Earle, Founder of Mission Blue and National Geographic Society Explorer in Residence

Moderator: Daniel Cáceres Bartra, Regional Representative for Hispanoamérica, Sustainable Ocean Alliance

  • Ms. Nina Pardo, President of H2Oceanos and Senior Policy Consultant, and SOA Mentor
  • Mr. Tony Long, CEO at Global Fishing Watch and SOA Mentor
  • Ms. Lucie Debaere, Policy Officer – International Marine Policy at the Belgian Government
  • Mr. Bodhi Patil, Co-creator at Ocean Uprise, Founder at InnerLight

Moderator: Ms. Alexandra Cousteau, Senior Advisor, Oceana

The session will present the ideas and solutions developed by 17 young people from different parts
of Greece during the first UNICEF-led Social Innovation Bootcamp focusing on water sustainability. Using the UPSHIFT methodology, implemented by UNICEF across the world, youth had the chance to formulate innovative solutions for the protection of the water environment in their communities.

Opening remarks: Ms. Lina Antara, Youth & Adolescent Development Officer, UNICEF Greece

Presenters: Ms. Aggeliki Antonopoulou and Ms. Filareti Kyriakou, Youth Water Advocates (Greece)

Enabling ocean-impact entrepreneurship in Africa

Herland Cerveaux, Managing Director at OceanHub Africa

BlueTech Competition: accelerating technology startups to boost a sustainable Blue Economy

Vangelis Argyros, Co-Founder at Cymothoe Initiative

Accelerating the deployment of DeepTech in maritime

Stylianos Papageorgiou, Managing Director of lomarlabs

In Service of our Oceans: The Role of Youth Development Programs and Civic Service in Fostering Marine Sustainability

Erika Spagakou, Co-Founder at Ecogenia

Larry Notheis, Senior Deputy Director at California Conservation Corps (CCC)

  • Jessica Newfield, Mentorship Program Manager & Project Lead OOYLS, Sustainable Ocean Alliance
  • Mr. Masanori Kobayashi, Senior Research Fellow, Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation
  • Prof. Michael Scoullos, OOC-9 Scientific Coordinator

The agenda kicks off with the grandeur of the Official Opening Ceremony, graced by esteemed dignitaries. This segment encompasses captivating Audio & Visual Events alongside inspiring Inaugural Speeches, setting a profound tone and emotional resonance for the commencement of the program.

Panel Discussions & Workshops about:

  • 1st Panel, 17:30-18:30:
    Maritime Policy: Priorities & Challenges for a viable Blue Regulatory framework
  • 2nd Panel, 18:30-19:30:
    Marine Technology: Addressing the true needs of an industry in transition
  • 3rd Panel, 19:30-20:30:
    Management: Building future-proof companies in an ever-changing maritime industry

Lead: Isalos.net

TUESDAY WEDNESDAY
16 -17 APRIL

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center

All day | Attendance of the Our Ocean Conference Schedule
DOWNLOAD AGENDA

Youth Leadership Summit Agenda

The agenda of the Summit, as well as the concurrent scientific and cultural activities, will be announced shortly. Please stay tuned.

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