The Seychelles Department of Blue Economy, in partnership with the Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Secretariat, hosted the Virtual Conference on Advancing Sustainable Ocean Management (SOM) Education on 20 June 2025. The online event brought together over 100 educators, policymakers, curriculum experts, and NGOs from across IORA Member States to share experiences and explore opportunities for integrating ocean education into national school curricula.
The conference highlighted Seychelles’ innovative SOM Education Project—the first global ocean literacy programme tailored for Key Stage 4 (ages 12–13). The programme aims to raise awareness about sustainable marine practices and foster blue economy literacy among youth, especially in coastal and island communities.
Highlights of the conference
- Presentation of SOM education materials, including teacher guides, student workbooks, and activity books.
- Review of Phases 1 and 2, covering gap analysis, pilot implementation in Seychelles Eco-Schools, and collaborative resource development.
- Interactive breakout sessions to share regional insights and gather feedback.
- Strong interest from Member States in adopting and adapting SOM resources for national use.
Key messages
- Early ocean education is essential for long-term marine sustainability.
- Cross-border collaboration can accelerate the creation of locally relevant curricula.
- Online platforms provide an effective and inclusive space for knowledge exchange.
Next steps
Participants expressed commitment to:
- Support the integration of SOM education into national frameworks.
- Promote teacher training and resource co-development.
- Strengthen research collaboration on ocean education.
About the SOM Education project
Led by the Seychelles Department of Blue Economy, the project was launched to address ocean challenges through education. Phase 1 focused on reviewing the existing science curriculum and designing new learning materials. Phase 2 expanded the initiative with a full suite of teaching and learning tools for Key Stage 4. The project serves as a model for other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and coastal nations.
Acknowledgement
The organisers thank all participants, speakers, and partners for their valuable contributions. The conference demonstrated the shared commitment across the Indian Ocean region to build a generation of informed ocean stewards.
