GERMAN COMMITTEE OF THE UN OCEANS DECADE (ODK)
The German Ocean Decade Committee (ODK) aims to publicize the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development in Germany, to support its implementation in Germany and to act as a link between national and international activities.
The committee works on a voluntary basis: Up to 15 members are appointed for a period of three years. The members come from all important stakeholder groups, in particular science, business, non-governmental organizations, administration/politics and foundations. Committed individuals can nominate themselves and are selected by a panel.
Current members
Polar and deep-sea researcher and Director of the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology and MARUM University Bremen: "My aim is to actively act as a link between national and international activities and stakeholders. By proposing a regional program in the Southern Ocean / Antarctic, we will strengthen the international impact of the Decade. Communicating and networking the diversity of national activities is important to me."
Head of Partnership and Sustainability, Team Malizia: "As a member of the committee, I look forward to further deepening the social discourse on the importance of the ocean, but also to taking concrete action: We need projects, promotion and networking across social groups and sectors such as education, business and civil society. Ocean protection is not an option, it is a necessity."
Marine biologist and sustainability consultant: "If the oceans aren't doing well, we can't do well. Healthy and productive oceans are the basis of life for us all and a prerequisite for functioning economic systems. I would like to use my experience to help activate companies in particular to take a responsible approach to our oceans. SDG#14 and the goals of the UN Ocean Decade provide the framework for this."
Former President of the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH): "Reconciling the use and protection of the oceans requires international cooperation in implementing research results, developing new technologies and strengthening society's awareness of threats to the oceans, including from land-based pollutant inputs."
Board member of the Gesellschaft für Maritime Technik: "I have been committed to the protection and sustainable use of the oceans for ten years in the maritime industry and to this end I am involved in applied research on the board of the Gesellschaft für Maritime Technik GMT and support startup programs on the Blue Economy internationally."
Curator and managing director of the interdisciplinary collective ARTPORT_MAKING WAVES, which is carrying out the Ocean Decade project WE ARE OCEAN: "The UN Ocean Decade is a brilliant initiative to raise awareness of the need to protect the ocean. The Decade provides a platform and space for stakeholders to work together on global solutions."
Marine activist, political scientist and geographer: "The ocean is a guarantee of life for all of us. More ocean justice also means more justice for future generations. I have a background in natural sciences and social sciences and constantly try to combine both perspectives in order to develop concrete recommendations for action."
Chair of the German chapter of EndPlasticSoup, an initiative of Rotary International: "We are using Rotary's global network to fight plastic pollution of the world's oceans, land and air through action, awareness and alliances. by 2050. The Ocean Decade is an important partner in this."
Author and documentary and film producer: "A healthy ocean gives us food, jobs, regulates the climate, creates economic progress and provides healing well-being. We need the water! That's why we want to join forces to save the ocean. As a journalist, I have the desire, but also the responsibility, to inform the public about protecting the ocean, to raise awareness and, if possible, to mobilize them."
marine biologist and grant manager at the Blue Action Fund, a foundation for international marine conservation: "In both national and international marine conservation, I believe that exchange and networking are key to successful and effective action. As a representative of the younger generation in Germany, I would like to help build bridges and promote creative and constructive exchange."
Chemical Oceanographer, Department of Marine Geochemistry, GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel: "As the largest and most important ecosystem on Earth, the ocean is crucial for the climate. For the good of us all, we absolutely need more and sustainable knowledge about the ocean. I hope that with my commitment to the Ocean Decade I can contribute to gaining exactly this needed knowledge."
Mechanical engineer, marine engineer and professor at the Department of Energy and Life Science at Flensburg University of Applied Sciences: "The Ocean Decade is guided by a holistic approach to protecting the world's oceans. My goal as an applied scientist is to bring the perspectives and needs from practice and for practice into the network."
Marine biologist and Head of Transfer at the German Marine Research Alliance: "A diverse and healthy marine environment is essential for our well-being and for our future. Only together as a society can we promote the sustainable management of the coasts, seas and oceans that is so crucial for all our lives. This is what I am committed to with my work."
Marine biologist and consultant at the Competence Center for Natural Climate Protection (KNK), responsible for oceans and coasts: "Healthy oceans are indispensable. None of the huge global challenges, such as the climate crisis, loss of biodiversity and habitats and overall sustainable development, can be overcome without intact oceans. The UN Ocean Decade can strengthen Sustainable Development Goal 14, focus science and lead to a more sustainable ocean policy."
Former members 2020-2023
Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Research
Everwave Ltd.
Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research and Marine Research
University of Bremen
Prof. Dr. Karin Lochte
Former Director of the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research
Mission Starfish 2030: Restore our Ocean and Waters
Senckenberg - Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research
Head of the Department of Physical Oceanography at GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel
Focus of work
The members of the committee decide on focal points with which they support the implementation of the goals of the UN Decade of Oceans in Germany. The development takes place in thematic working groups, each of which is chaired by a committee member. These working groups are open to all interested parties.
Education, culture and society
The future development of our society, questions of climate change and the sustainable use of the ocean are burning issues for many young people. Under the title "Young Ocean", the working group "Education and Society" of the German Ocean Decade Committee (ODK) would like to cooperate with partner schools from all federal states in order to impart knowledge and actively involve students in their commitment for the ocean. In addition to building and maintaining the network of partner schools throughout Germany, the working group collects and provides information on teaching materials and plans to arrange international contacts with schools in the Global South.
Contacts: Ute Wilhelmsen and Anne-Marie Melster
Economy
With the Business Working Group, ODK would like to offer companies and institutions a platform for exchange, networking and collaboration. The working group is aimed at all organizations in the business community that are already actively involved in the protection and sustainable use of the oceans, would like to do so in the future, or are interested in doing so. The working group aims to promote cooperation between science and industry within the framework of the Ocean Decade and to accelerate the transfer of findings into application. Through the exchange between the members, impulses for joint initiatives with a broad impact are to be set. Among other things, this should also contribute to making the use of the oceans, which is indispensable in many respects, more sustainable.
Contact person: Alexis Katechakis and Steffen Knodt
Media and public relations
The working group "Media and Public Relations" informs interested parties about the UN Decade of Oceans and the work of the ODK. We organize different platforms and formats (website, social media) on which the contributions of our partners can be published. We cooperate with the Working Group on Public Relations of the German Marine Research Consortium (KDM) and the German Alliance for Marine Research (DAM) to give German marine research institutions a voice in the UN Ocean Decade.
Contact person: Cornelius Eich and Susanne Stampf-Sedlitzky
Early-Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs).
The ECOP Germany working group networks ocean experts who are at the beginning of their careers (ECOP = early-career ocean professional). The working group wants to create opportunities for ECOPs to actively participate in the Ocean Decade, to exchange ideas and to develop projects together. Through the cooperation of ECOPs from different stakeholder groups, the connection between science, industry and society will be strengthened. Furthermore, the working group aims at intergenerational exchange and direct contribution to events, projects and programs related to the UN Decade of Oceans. Through regular meetings, a network is established that leverages synergies with ongoing initiatives. ECOP Germany welcomes interested individuals residing in or related to Germany who are at the beginning of their career in a marine-related field (research, education, government, industry, NGO, etc.) to join its network.
Contacts: Kim Nierobisch and Nuri Steinmann
Ambassadors of the German Ocean Decade Committee
Contact point
The contact point supports the Committee in its work and in building the network of the Ocean Decade. The Contact Point is also a central point of contact for information on national and international activities and programs within the framework of the UN Decade of Oceans.
Contact
Dr. Ulrike Heine
Science Officer, German Committee of the UN Ocean Decade (ODK)
Contact point ODK
GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel
Wischhofstr. 1-3
24148 Kiel
kontaktstelle@ozeandekade.de
Contact
Tel: 0431-600 2446
