To move from the concept of a "blue economy" to a more comprehensive one of "blue society". This was the idea defended by Ned Dwyer, executive director of the European Center for Information on Sea Science and Technology “Eurocean”, this Monday, 13 November, at the international conference “Sustainable Development of the Oceans: a useful utopia”, in homage to professor Mário Ruivo, which is taking place No. Campus of Gambelas of the University of Algarve (UAlg), in Faro.
This is an initiative that aims to celebrate the legacy of Professor Mário Ruivo, died in January of this year, for knowledge of the Ocean, bringing together international experts.
According to Ned Dwyer, “by talking more about blue society than blue economy, we realize that the ocean has an important role to play in our lives, it is fundamental to our existence and is not just an economic resource”.
Even because “the ocean gives us oxygen, fish” or “energy”. In this process of change, it is necessary to promote an “ocean literacy” that encourages “informed and responsible decisions about the ocean and its resources”.
This official considered that "people are now thinking a little more" about issues such as marine pollution associated with plastic. This despite the fact that there are those who still understand the ocean as being just “a space to relax”.
Professor Mário Ruivo was even one of the great drivers of the need to get to know the ocean better. “Mário saw the importance of the knowledge of the ocean not only for scientists, but for all people”, considered Ned Dwyer.
In this opening session, there were speeches by António Branco, rector of the University of Algarve, Rogério Bacalhau, president of the Chamber of Faro, Patricio Bernal, former secretary general of Commission Oceanographique Intergouvernemental (COI) of UNESCO, Jean-Pierre Levy, former director of the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Vladimir Ryabinin, secretary general of the IOC, Ned Dwyer, João Guerreiro, representative of the National Council for the Environment and Sustainable Development, Ricardo Serrão Santos, MEP, Maria Eduarda Gonçalves, professor at ISCTE and widow of Mário Ruivo, and Ana Paula Vitorino, Minister of the Sea.
All were unanimous in the contribution Mário Ruivo made to getting to know the oceans better. The person who was not present, but who did not fail to send a small note, which was read at the beginning, was Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Republic.
“Mário Ruivo was a politically and civically committed citizen in leading the destinies of the Portugal he loved so much,” he said. In addition, “it combined an admirable scientific spirit with a firm and unequivocal commitment to community causes. For all he has given us, the memory of Mário Ruivo must be evoked in the times we live in», he stressed.
António Branco, dean of UAlg, said, in this sense, that Mário Ruivo, Doctor Honoris Causa of the University of Algarve, «was an example of a humanist scientist» who «gathered an integrated view of the problems».
Ana Paula Vitorino, Minister of the Sea, made a revelation during her speech: «it was Mário Ruivo who convinced me that it was necessary to have a Minister of the Sea and that I could accept this challenge».
In addition, the government official also highlighted the "persistence" that marked her life and the fact that the marine biologist was an "exceptional person".
The opening session was also attended by Maria Eduarda Gonçalves, widow of the marine biologist, who said that the conference program «mirrors the key ideas that guided Mário Ruivo», with the issue of sustainable development of the oceans the head.
Until tomorrow, November 14th, the University of Algarve will be the space for specialists to discuss issues such as “Resource Exploration and Marine Biotechnology”, “Global Changes and Risks”, “Observation and Technology in the Ocean”.
To see the full program click here
Mário Ruivo, who was born in 1927, is recognized as one of the fathers of the new Ocean regime and its integration into the goals of sustainable development. He was dedicated to research, teaching, promoting cooperation in matters of the sea and sensitizing governments and public opinion to responsible governance of the ocean.
Biologist by training at the University of Lisbon since 1950, he specialized in Biological Oceanography and Management of Living Marine Resources at the University of Paris – Sorbonne, Laboratoire Arago (1951-54). He was also a Doctor Honoris Causa by the University of the Azores.
He held leading positions in the United Nations system, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, from 1961 to 1974, and in the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, of which he was secretary from 1980 to 1989. He was also Scientific Advisor at EXPO'98 and member/coordinator of the Independent World Commission for the Oceans.
He participated in the process concerning the establishment, in Lisbon, of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), in 2002, and was the promoter and president of the European Center for Information on Marine Science and Technology, from 2002 to 2008. He was a representative of the Foundation for Science and Technology in the European Marine Board.
He was awarded national and foreign honorary orders and other distinctions and prizes, and is finally the author of several publications on Oceanography and Governance and Cooperation in Ocean Affairs.
Photos: Pedro Lemos | Sul Informação
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