(NEWS) Annual Meeting of High Level Advisory Group for WMU Empowering Women Programme

February

2023

Annual Meeting of High Level Advisory Group for WMU Empowering Women Programme

On 31 January, the World Maritime University (WMU) - Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute hosted the third annual meeting of the High Level Advisory Group for the Empowering Women for the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Programme.

The session was opened by WMU President, Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, who reflected on the achievements of the Empowering Women Programme to date, highlighting the two well-attended Side Events hosted at the 2022 United Nations Oceans Conference in Lisbon. President Doumbia-Henry congratulated the research team, Ms. Ellen Johannesen, Ms. Renis Auma Ojwala, and Dr. Mariamalia Rodriguez Chaves on their findings and outputs to date. Dr Doumbia-Henry also reflected on the challenges that women in the maritime field face daily and highlighted that United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5, focused on gender equality, is key in achieving the aims of the other 16 Goals.

The purpose of the High Level Advisory Group is to provide additional expertise and feedback for the research team. This includes a key output of the programme which is the development of a framework Strategy and Action Plan for ocean-related international institutions to make practical and policy relevant recommendations for empowering women in ocean science and science dependent governance systems in the context of the Ocean Decade.

Dr. Mariamalia Rodriguez Chaves shared her draft of the Strategy and Action Plan for empowering women within ocean-related international institutions which generated fruitful discussion with invaluable recommendations from the members of the High Level Advisory Group. Presentations on research achievements and progress to date were well received and made by Ms. Ellen Johannesen on the topic of “Understanding the role of gender in the Practice of International Marine Science”, and Ms. Renis Auma Ojwala on the topic of “Gender Equality in Ocean Science for Sustainable Development: Analysis of Ocean Science Institutions in Kenya”.

The meeting was held in hybrid format, both on site in Malmö and with members of the High Level Advisory Group attending virtually from across the globe. The members represent a wide range of sectors including governments, United Nations entities and intergovernmental organizations (IGO), academia, industry, non-governmental organizations (NGO), civil societies, and philanthropic foundations.

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About the DFO-WMU Empowering Women for the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Programme

The purpose of the Empowering Women Programme is to advance an alternative, inclusive model for the sustainable governance of ocean spaces and maritime activities that duly takes into account the need to ensure effective gender equality and the empowerment of women at all levels in order to ensure the sustainable management of the global ocean. The Programme is endorsed by IOC-UNESCO as a Decade Action and will play a central role in supporting the Ocean Decade mission to catalyze transformative ocean science solutions for sustainable development. The Empowering Women for the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Programme is generously funded by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) with additional support from The Nippon Foundation.

About the WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute

The vision of the WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute is to act as an independent focal point for the ocean science-policy-law-industry-society interface where policy makers, the scientific community, regulators, industry actors, academics, and representatives of civil society meet to discuss how best to manage and use ocean spaces and their resources in accordance with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Institute was inaugurated in May 2018 and made possible through generous support from The Nippon Foundation of Japan, the Governments of Sweden, Canada, and Germany, as well as the City of Malmö.

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Maritime Governance: Contextual Factors affecting Implementation of IMO Instruments

My decision to enroll in the doctoral program at WMU was heavily influenced by my prior experience as a Master's student at the institution. Initially introduced to me as a preeminent global institution for maritime education, WMU's stellar reputation was further substantiated by the exceptional quality of education I received during my Master’s studies. This experience became a compelling factor in my determination to return to WMU as a doctoral student. Recognizing the synergies between my research aspirations and the institutional offerings at WMU, I concluded that continuing my educational journey at this esteemed institution was not only beneficial but also aligned perfectly with my academic and professional goals.

My research explored the theoretical foundations of governance, placing a particular emphasis on maritime governance. Going beyond mere theoretical frameworks, the study conducted a comprehensive examination of a crucial aspect within maritime governance—specifically, the implementation of International Maritime Organization (IMO) instruments, exploring the contextual factors that affect the implementation process. Applying the grounded theory methodology, the research aimed to understand these theoretical underpinnings, as well as firmly anchor insights in the practical context of maritime governance; unveiling the intricacies and challenges associated with the effective implementation of IMO instruments in the maritime domain. The selection of this topic was motivated by a personal interest that was cultivated during my Master’s studies in maritime law and policy. Furthermore, it was driven by the recognition of a scarcity of scientific research on this specific topic. This gap in the existing body of knowledge served as a catalyst for my exploration, underscoring the significance of contributing valuable insights to an area of maritime governance that has been relatively underrepresented in scholarly research.

Undoubtedly, a highlight of my educational journey at WMU was the opportunity to forge connections with influential change-makers and thought leaders hailing from every corner of the globe. This invaluable chance to engage with individuals on an international scale has not only enabled me to expand my global network but has also served as a conduit for immersing myself in the rich tapestry of diverse cultures. Through these global interactions, I've gained a profound understanding of different perspectives, traditions, and approaches, contributing significantly to my personal and academic growth. This experience goes beyond mere networking and has also played a pivotal role in fostering stronger connections within the Caribbean region from which I hail.

Embarking on my professional path, my foremost aim is to establish myself as an authority in the field of maritime governance. I aspire to leave a significant and enduring mark on the global maritime landscape. Beyond the academic sphere, my drive is fuelled by a passionate interest in pursuing diverse opportunities within the maritime domain and the broader educational sector and contributing significantly to positive transformations in the global maritime sector.

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Upon graduation, I was awarded a prestigious research fellowship in sustainability, energy, and the pursuit of net-zero emissions within the maritime industry at the esteemed University of Southampton in the United Kingdom. This exciting opportunity marks the next phase of my academic and maritime journey. I remain passionately committed to continuing my exploration of academia and the maritime sector, building upon the invaluable knowledge and experience I acquired during my time at WMU. My primary objective is to contribute significantly to the advancement of the zero-emission maritime industry, a pivotal and transformative sector within our global community.

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