IOI-OceanLearn: Rationalizing the IOI's education and training in ocean governance

Abstract

The International Ocean Institute (IOI), established in 1972 and with its Secretariat in Malta, has been engaged in training and education in ocean governance for the past 25 years. The IOI network now comprises some 25 Operational Centers worldwide. Training and education activities have expanded in parallel with the growth of the network, and a variety of courses are now delivered in a multi-modal manner. Interdisciplinary, global training programs are needed to address the capacity-building requirements in ocean governance resulting from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), and Agenda 21, Chapters 36 and 37. The IOI is responding to these needs by rationalizing its unique training and education programs with a view to coordination and networking of courses among IOI Operational Centers and their host institutions. In 1999, the IOI's Founder, Prof. Elisabeth Mann Borgese, proposed the establishment of the IOI Virtual University. This innovative idea, however, proved too costly for the IOI to implement. An alternative, more cost-effective means of coordinating all of IOI's education and training activities is now being implemented, under the brand name “IOI-OceanLearn.” The Operational Centers, their host institutions, and other training partners will work together in the development and delivery of training courses. The key aspects of IOI-OceanLearn will include quality assurance, networking of courses and accessibility. The OceanLearn niche will focus on short training courses; the implementation roadmap includes networking of the IOI's flagship training program on Ocean Governance at Dalhousie University, incorporating Ocean Science into training courses and fostering of workable capacity-building partnerships with other organizations.