The West Africa Marine Science Community is delighted to announce the inaugural West Africa Marine Science Symposium (WAMSS), scheduled from Friday, August 18, to Sunday, August 20.
Supported by the United Nations Ocean Decade and funded by the National Geographic Society, WAMSS aims to drive transformative change in ocean science across the sub-region through knowledge exchange, partnership development, networking, and the sharing of best practices.
This initiative seeks to enhance understanding, address challenges, and seize opportunities in marine research throughout Africa.
Under the theme “Fostering Partnerships to Advance Ocean Science in West Africa,” WAMSS is a collaborative effort involving the College of Basic and Applied Sciences of the University of Ghana, the National Geographic Society, Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean, Nature Environment Wildlife and Filmmaking, and the Coastal Ocean Environment Summer School in Nigeria and Ghana.
Distinguished partners include the United States Office of Naval Research, Mission Blue, Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA), UNEP Regional Seas Convention-Abidjan, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission-Africa, and the UN Ocean Decade Africa Taskforce.
The symposium’s first day, August 18, will be held at the University of Ghana, while the subsequent two days, August 19-20, will take place in a hybrid format at the African Regent Hotel in Accra, Ghana.
WAMSS is designed to spotlight effective marine research and conservation models, fostering connections between funders and potential grant applicants.
The event will emphasize six critical thematic areas for advancing marine science and conservation: Promoting Marine Environmental Health, Restoration, Conservation, and Management of Living Marine Resources, Outreach, Science Communication, and Storytelling, Building Coastal Community Resilience Against Coastal Hazards, Community Leadership and Participation in Ocean Knowledge Generation, and Enabling Access to Enhance Critical Understanding of Africa’s Eastern Atlantic.
With its hybrid approach, WAMSS will leverage both physical and virtual platforms to accommodate diverse participants, encouraging a globally inclusive dialogue on ocean science.
The symposium recognizes the significance of early-career professionals and youth, offering insights into career paths, funding opportunities, grant writing workshops, and valuable networking avenues. Additionally, an Early Career Ocean Professionals side event will be hosted.
WAMSS presents an unprecedented opportunity for stakeholders to collaborate, share insights, and pioneer innovative solutions for the marine environment in West Africa and beyond.
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