On 7 and 8 November, GreenCoLab attended the 2nd National Conference on Ocean Literacy, held at the Pavilhão do Conhecimento – Ciência Viva (Pavilion of Knowledge – Living Science) in Lisbon. The event brought together researchers, educators, policymakers, and representatives from various areas related to the sea, promoting national reflection on the challenges and opportunities of ocean literacy.
The opening session featured speeches by Lina Varela (Directorate-General for Education) and Sandra Cruz (Directorate-General for Maritime Policy), who emphasised the essential role of public policies and education in building a more conscious, informed and sustainable relationship with the ocean.
One of the highlights of the programme was the participation of , Ana Ramos, Project Manager at GreenCoLab, in the round table, “Ocean Literacy and the Sustainable Blue Economy”, moderated by Ana Noronha (Ciência Viva) and shared with Mariana Dias Almeida (University of Aveiro) and Pedro Brasil (PIXAIR).
During the discussion, Ana Ramos highlighted the importance of micro and macroalgae for the blue bioeconomy, reinforcing GreenCoLab’s commitment to developing algae-based solutions and promoting scientific knowledge accessible to all.
The GreenCoLab stand was one of the most visited spots over the two days. Thanks to the work of the Dissemination and Outreach team, represented by Fátima Pereira and Ana Ramos , the space became a real gateway to the fascinating world of algae:
- Real observation of microalgae and macroalgae, an essential part of the team’s daily laboratory work.
- Presentation of the book (The Green of Blue – Discovering the World of Algae), which aroused great enthusiasm among children and adults, encouraging curiosity and dialogue about the relevance of these organisms for the sustainability of the oceans and the future of the blue economy.
Throughout the event, numerous strategic contacts were established with schools, science centres, researchers and organisations linked to the sea, opening doors for future collaborations in educational, scientific and awareness-raising projects.
We ended our participation with a strong sense of mission accomplished: bringing science closer to the community and contributing to a more protected, valued and understood ocean.
Special thanks to the Centro Ciência Viva de Lisboa for the invitation and for organising another inspiring edition.
