International body UNESCO supports marine education initiatives advocated by prominent diving organizations.
The DAN.PADI Ocean Literacy Project, a groundbreaking international educational initiative, has been launched by leading diving organisations PADI and DAN Europe [1][2][4]. This project aims to raise awareness and empower younger generations to become stewards of ocean environments.
The primary goal of the project is to cultivate ocean literacy—a deep understanding of the ocean’s influence on people and people’s influence on the ocean—among youth and the broader public [1]. To achieve this, the project develops and distributes educational resources, workshops, and initiatives that teach about marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and the human impact on oceans [2].
The DAN.PADI Ocean Literacy Project is divided into four core learning modules: Citizen Science, Plastic Pollution, Climate Change, and Underwater Archaeology [2]. By targeting younger audiences, the initiative fosters a sense of responsibility and engagement with ocean conservation from an early age, encouraging stewardship and advocacy [2].
The project also encourages diving communities and citizen scientists to participate in conservation activities, data collection, and citizen science, further broadening its impact [2]. This collaborative approach reflects the project's commitment to fostering a global network of ocean advocates.
UNESCO's endorsement highlights the project's role in supporting the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (Ocean Decade) [2][4]. By being recognised as an Ocean Decade Action, the project is part of a global network of initiatives working to address threats such as pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change, while promoting sustainable diving practices and marine conservation [2][4].
David Murray, Managing Director of PADI EMEA, emphasised the project's goal to make ocean education more inclusive, accessible, and impactful [3]. To this end, the programme is accessible via the TalentLMS app, available for iOS and Android, and the full domain must be entered for mobile users' first login [3].
The DAN.PADI Ocean Literacy Project aims to empower individuals of all ages to become "Ocean Torchbearers," fostering positive ocean change in everyday life [2]. The high-quality content developed by DAN Europe in collaboration with university professors and marine science researchers is available for free, inspiring curiosity and promoting awareness of the ocean far beyond schools and into communities around the world [2].
PADI is committed to making the underwater world accessible and promoting ocean conservation, setting the standard for dive training, underwater safety, and conservation initiatives [4]. The project's recognition from UNESCO for the role divers play as ambassadors for ocean protection further solidifies its global influence and legitimacy [4].
Course progress is automatically synced across devices for a seamless learning experience, whether on desktop or mobile [3]. The programme can be accessed at https://oceanliteracy.edu.daneurope.org/index, inviting everyone to join this global movement for ocean conservation.
- The DAN.PADI Ocean Literacy Project, an international educational initiative, focuses on environmental-science, particularly climate-change and marine ecosystems, to cultivate ocean literacy among youth and the public.
- The project, aiming for global impact, develops free, high-quality learning resources for online-education, including workshops and courses, available on the TalentLMS app.
- By promoting science-based learning about the ocean's influence and people's influence on it, the DAN.PADI Ocean Literacy Project seeks to empower individuals of all ages to become 'Ocean Torchbearers,' contributing to positive changes in environmental-science and ocean conservation.
