The recommendation to the Government has emerged as part of a public consultation, which runs until next Tuesday, regarding the National Citizenship Education Strategy (ENEC). In this strategy, the new guide for the subject of Citizenship and Development offers less focus on themes such as sexuality or animal welfare and more on financial literacy and entrepreneurship.
“The Oceanário de Lisboa deems the integration of ocean literacy into the subject of Citizenship and Development as crucial, recognizing it as an essential tool to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and realize the 2030 Agenda,” states Diogo Geraldes, director of Education at Oceanário de Lisboa, in a written response sent to Lusa.
The public entity, which is dedicated to research in marine biology and oceanography, emphasizes that the sea should be included “transversally” across all areas of Citizenship Education, promoting “a holistic and interconnected view of reality.”
“The protection of healthy marine ecosystems should be acknowledged as a fundamental right, applicable to all generations,” it notes, emphasizing that “it is vital to encourage civic and informed participation in the democratic debate on major environmental, social, and economic challenges — with the ocean being a central theme of this reflection.”
Diogo Geraldes points out that valuing blue natural capital should be an educational opportunity to explore innovative bioeconomy solutions, aligning environmental sustainability with economic and social development, highlighting that “the ocean’s importance to human well-being is undeniable,” whether in climate regulation or the impact of marine pollution.
“Understanding the role of marine ecosystems in mitigating natural disasters and climate change can be integrated into risk education. The ocean connects geographies and cultures, being a structuring element for developing local and global citizenship skills,” he observes.
The Oceanário de Lisboa has reinforced that promoting ocean literacy also “means fostering critical thinking and informed decision-making, pillars of democratic participation and youth mobilization for the environment.”
The institution believes that integrating the ocean into formal education will help form “a more informed, conscious, and prepared generation to face the challenges of a constantly changing world.”
“With over 27 years of experience in promoting ocean literacy in Portugal and across Europe, the Oceanário highlights that the multidisciplinary approach to marine themes allows for the development of skills that span various areas of the curriculum, stimulating autonomy, critical thinking, and commitment to sustainability,” it emphasizes.
The contributions from the Oceanário de Lisboa also included the “identification of gaps” in learning, proposing the inclusion of ocean-related content that can enrich the educational journey of students and address current challenges.
“Besides the educational proposals, the Oceanário [de Lisboa] has played a leading role in mobilizing educational partners, institutions, and civil society, encouraging active participation in the public consultation and promoting awareness of the importance of integrating the ocean as one of the pillars of Citizenship Education,” it notes.
According to the Oceanário de Lisboa, it is a commitment to the “construction of a more sustainable future,” through the “formation of informed, committed, and participatory citizens — the so-called Blue Generation.”
