Young Waves for Change: Mediterranean Youth Driving the Mission Ocean and Waters

This interactive event brings together students and educators from across the Mediterranean who have been actively engaged in environmental education and restoration, to share their experiences and build new inspiration around the EU Mission Restore Our Ocean and Waters by 2030. The event will highlight success stories from national and regional initiatives such as Plastic Pirates - Go Europe!, the Network of Blue Schools, and educational pilots from the RHE-MEDiation project.

A shared moment of reflection, dialogue and creativity where students, researchers, and decision-makers co-create the future of the Mediterranean.

Moreover, during the event the Ceremony Award of the Second Edition of the Society4Med Award will take place!

Session Chairs

Gloria Consoli, CNR - BlueMissionMed
Elisa Acciardo, RINA - RHE-MEDiation

Program

First Session

Moderators: 
Gloria Consoli, CNR - BlueMissionMed
Elisa Acciardo, RINA - RHE-MEDiation

10.00 Welcome and opening Remarks
Maria Cristina Pedicchio, Member of the Mission Board Ocean and Waters, Presidente di APRE 

10.10 Inspiring Actions: Education, Science & Community
Susanna Albertini, Selenia Marinelli, Valentina Vavassori - FVA, BlueMissionMed. Our Blue Treasure - Discovering the Mediterranean through art, science and storytelling
Gregorio Sgrigna, Phytotech srl, CNR.  Environmental education projects and R&I activity

10.30 Mission Lighthouse Initiative with presentation from Secondary schools’ representatives
Presented and moderated by Elisa Acciardo, RINA - RHE-MEDiation
Students from ITT Pacinotti di Taranto - 5A Biotecnologie Ambientali

10.45 Little Big Scientists - Secondary schools’ delegates presents Citizen Science National Initiative and Plastic Pirates - Go Europe!
Presented and moderated by Gloria Consoli, CNR - BlueMissionMed
Students from I.T.T. “Leonardo Da Vinci” of Viterbo - 5ABS e 5A Biotecnologie Sanitarie 

11.15 Clousure of First Session & Youth Call to Action
Group photo and delivery of symbolic "Youth Blue Commitment" to the Mission Team

Second Session

Moderator:
Elisa Conti, CNR - BlueMissionMed 

11.40 Welcome by the Chair

Opening remarks - Why the Mission needs youth?
Elisabetta Balzi, Active Senior, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission

11.50 Inspiring Actions: Education, Science & Community
Presentations by: 
Fantina Madricardo, CNR ISMAR - Biodiversity Gateway Venice
Maria Giovanna Parisi, UniPA - Biodiversity Gateway Palermo

12.10 Mission Lighthouse Initiative with presentation from Secondary schools’ representatives 
Presented and moderated by Gloria Consoli, CNR - BlueMissionMed 
Students from IIS Santoni of Pisa - 4F e 5G

12.35 Youth Call to Action

Group photo and delivery of symbolic "Youth Blue Commitment" to the Mission Team

12.40 The award ceremony of the Second Edition of the Society4Med Award
Moderator:
Susanna Albertini, FVA - BlueMissionMed

Presentation of the winners and group photo 

13.00  Clousure of Second Session