Online course of the 2022 Cyprus Hybrid University

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Applications period has ended.


If you are a post graduate student, young scientist, member of a MAB Youth Group, educator or staff working on Biosphere Reserves, and interested in ocean literacy, then, this online course is for you!

Following the successful Summer Universities organized jointly by MIO-ECSDE and the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe  for a number of years, the 2022 course takes place once again in a hybrid format and focuses on Biosphere Reserves (BRs) as sites to develop Ocean Literacy (OL)

  • The first "live"part (Phase A), was held in two sessions in Asterousia Biosphere Reserve, (Crete, 12-14 September 2022) and in Cyprus, (back-to-back with the 9th EfE Conference, 5-10 October 2022). Read more on Phase A here.
  • This call concerns  the second virtual part (Phase B) that will run from 9 January to 5 February 2023. 

 The online course in a nutshell : 

  • Duration: Four weeks, starting from 9 January to 5 February 2023. 
  • Format: It combines asynchronous (self-paced) and synchronous sessions (weekly live meetings).
  • Commitment: The total training time for learners is approx. 20 hours (~5 hours/week).
  • Participants: The courrse is adressed (but not limitted to) MAB youth groups, Post-Graduate students, young researchers, Educators (formal and non-formal), Managers of Biosphere Reserves, Protected Areas and other designated areas. A priority is given to the European , Balkan and Mediterranean countries.
  • Class size: Up to aprox. 100 online learners.  
  • Language: English.
  • Certification: Learners who succesfully complete 80% of the course assignments will get the certificate co-signed by the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe and the UNESCO Chair & Network on Sustainable Development Management and Education in the Mediterranean.
  • Cost: Thanks to the kind contribution of the organizers the course will be free of charge for all participants. 

 Learning goals - What will learners gain from this course? 

  • A better understanding of Biosphere Reserves as beacons of sustainability and ideal places to develop ocean literacy.
  • An increased understanding on the UN Ocean Decade and of methods for effective integrated management of coastal and marine BRs.
  • An increased knowledge of the challenges and threats for our seas today, and possible ways to overcome them e.g. prevention, monitoring and mitigation actions for pollution in coastal and marine BRs, with emphasis on plastics and single-use plastics (SUPs).
  • A better understanding of how Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Ocean Literacy can be promoted and applied in various settings
  • Access to ideas and applied examples of Ocean Literacy and ocean communication from practitioners. 
  • Insights on how to integrate Ocean Literacy within their own sector of work. 
  • Access to a wealth of online resources.
  • Networking with people with similar interests and concerns.

The course topics per week:  

  • Week 1: 9-15 January 2023, the wide picture Importance of OceansSGlobal and regional policies | SGDs, SDG14 and targets | The ocean as means to implement Agenda 2030 | The UN Ocean Decade | The role of Ocean Literacy in the Decade | Expected outcomes
  • Week 2: 16-22 JANUARY 2023, the challenges / risks for the Ocean: Marine pollution especially from plastics and Single Use Plastics (SUPs) | Oxygen Decrease | Acidification | Ecosystem degradation | Over-exploitation – Overfishing | Invasive species | High Seas (unregulated)   | Climate change | Risks for the Mediterranean.
  • Week 3: 23-29 JANUARY, way Forward, Dealing with the challenges: Sustainable Development and Management in marine and coastal Biosphere Reserves | Marine Plastic pollution monitoring and assessment | Marine litter prevention and mitigation | Clean-ups | Monitoring methods
  • Week 4: 30 January - 5  February 2023 - Education and action for the ocean: Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) promoting action for a sustainable ocean| | Formal & non-formal education for the ocean | Communicating about the ocean

Format of learning content: 

Every week we focus on a “cluster of topics” with a dedicated team of experts. Learners follow the course content on their own pace (asynchronously) and have the chance to interact with the experts and their co-learners in a live (synchronous) session.

Asynchronous content: 

  • Video lectures from experts invited for this particular course (UNESCO/MAB, UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe, EU, IOC, etc.)
  • Existing online videos and documentaries (e.g. from TED, documentaries, other courses etc.)
  • Texts: Online toolkits, Guidelines, ppts, etc. 

Synchronous content: 

  • Four live 1.5 hr "meet the expert" sessions where the participants can discuss with the experts on their lectures. These sessions are held via Zoom, every Friday, 15.00-16.30 (Athens time, GMT+ 2), and are then uploaded on YouTube, to be available to those who missed them. 

Co-organizers 

  • UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe (Venice Office)
  • Cyprus Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports | Pedagogic Institute of Cyprus | The Unit for Education for the Environment and Sustainable Development (EESD)
  • Region of Crete | Heraclion Development Agency
  • UNESCO Chair and Network on Sustainable Development Management and Education at the University of Athens (UoA)
  • Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE) through the MEdIES initiative

Secretariat

Tel. 0030 2103247490
Email: info@medies.net
W: www.medies.net  

 


When?

Monday, January 9, 2023 12:00 AM
-
Sunday, February 5, 2023


Where?

Online