The IOI-Malta international course on Regional Ocean Governance is already seven years long in the tooth, having already trained more than one hundred mid-career professionals occupying influential marine and maritime positions along the Mediterranean, Black, Baltic and Caspian Seas. This year’s course kicks off on the 13th of November for 5 consecutive weeks ending 16th December.

The course programme is delivered by an expert faculty and draws upon the conduct of maritime affairs in line with the Lisbon Strategy, targeting the Millennium Development Goals and building upon a holistic and integrated maritime policy following the principles enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

It focuses on the linkages between natural, social and economic sciences and the development of sustainable ocean governance, and on the interface of research-management and the support of technology to enable the effective achievement of ocean management and sustainable development.

The course further elaborates on the implications of the EU Integrated Maritime Policy for the European regional seas, with the science-based and holistic approach in policy undertakings and implementation, and brings to the forefront the characteristics of seas as different and sensitive as the Mediterranean, Black, Baltic and Caspian Seas in ocean governance issues. It aims to build stronger inter-regional coherence in countries’ engagement in the governance of the regional seas, promoting inter-regional cooperation, shared experiences and exchange of best practice scenarios.

The course is designed to benefit mid-career professionals, government officials, educators, researchers and civil society participants, preferably with coastal/marine-related responsibilities. While the course is targeting participation from the Mediterranean, Black Sea, Caspian Sea and Baltic Sea regions, it certainly appeals to local candidates, especially those that are engaged or aspire to have key responsibilities in marine affairs. A limited number of seats on the course are open to non-university Maltese candidates.

The course, organized by the IOI-Malta Operational Centre of the University of Malta on behalf of the International Ocean Institute, is officially sponsored by the Lighthouse Foundation, the United Nations University (UNU)/ EHS, the Ocean Science and Research Foundation, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, United Nations Development Programme SS-SSC and the European Commission.

Further information is found on the website: www.capemalta.net/course2011

Or call on: 21346528, 21440972

Email: ioimaltacourse@capemalta.net, aldo.drago@um.edu.mt (Course Manager) or antonella.vassallo@ioihq.org.mt (Course Coordinator)