International Waters learning Exchange & Resource Network

Ocean Governance Course (Asia-Pacific)

Online training (14 January-8 February 2019) and Face to face training (19-20 February 2019)
In collaboration with UNDP Cap-Net, we bring you a blended learning approach to Ocean Governance, with specific examples from the Asia-Pacific Region.

What will you learn?

By the end of the course participants will understand and become familiar with:

  • Key principles of good governance;
  • The importance the role of values and ethics in supporting good governance;
  • The role and process of stakeholder engagement;
  • Approaches to sustainable finance;
  • International legal and institutional frameworks relevant to ocean governance on a global and/or regional scale;
  • The role of national and international agencies in implementing these global and regional instruments;
  • Key elements of effective governance;
  • The importance of and tools for effective communication as a component of effective governance;
  • Ways to integrate science into LME governance and assess science needs;
  • Ways to assess governance measures

Who is delivering the course?

This activity centres around Component 3 of the GEF LME:LEARN project, specifically Activities 3.5 and 3.6 which focus on the development of training modules and delivering training sessions which are regionally distributed to include GEF funded LME, ICM, MPA, and MSP project staff and linked strongly to the Regional Networks.

The activity focal points include the GEF LME:LEARN Project Coordination Unit, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES).

Language of the Course

This course is in English.

Interpretation in other languages will not be provided.

How will it be delivered?

Online (14 January-8 February 2019 via the UNDP Cap-Net Virtual Campus)

The course starts in January 2019 with a set of online modules offered on the Cap-Net Virtual Campus. All participants will have to undertake the 3-week online course as a prerequisite to attend the face to face training.  Participants will have to dedicate at least 2-3 hours every week to go through the prescribed content and short quiz.

This blended approach to training is to help all participants go through the necessary theory and ensure that they are all on the same level before attending the face-to-face component. 

Participants will have to register and pass the online course to attend the face-to-face training.

Face to Face (19-20 February 2019)

This course component applies the teaching messages from the online modules through interactive exercises and regionally appropriate casework. At the face-to-face event in Vietnam, participants will engage in a series of exercises and role-playing to harness what they have learned online and how to apply that knowledge in their own projects/work.

Who should attend?

The training is intended for professionals (project managers, chief technical advisors, or project staff) responsible for implementing governance related components of GEF funded and non-GEF funded marine and coastal projects. Decision makers, practitioners and technical staff from governments, academia, NGOs and academia who are responsible for management of marine and coastal areas are also encouraged to apply to participate.

What are the criteria?

Participants must be:

  1. Proficient in English;
  2. Staff (not consultants) of Large Marine Ecosystem, Marine Protected Area, Integrated Coastal Management, Fisheries, Climate Change Adaptation or Biodiversity projects/institutes/organisations in Asia-Pacific;
  3. Actively engaged in governance related components of the project/work;
  4. Committed to taking the 3 week online course in February 2019 and passing all modules

Please note that no certificates can be issued unless both the online and face to face training has been completed.

How to apply for the course

Please nominate one (1) staff member of your project/institute via email with the title “Asia-Pacific Ocean Governance Training” to Natalie Degger (natalie@iwlearn.org) by 21 December 2018.

Applications or nominations must include the following:

  • The name and email address of the applicant;
  • The  name of the project (including the GEF ID), or institute she/he works for;
  • A short sentence on how the training will help enhance project implementation or advance your work in managing marine and coastal areas;
  • Indication if financial support to attend the face-to-face training is required (*)

Participants will be notified on 7 January 2019 via email whether their application has been successful or not. Furthermore, details on how to register for the course on the UNDP Cap-Net Virtual Campus, as well as additional information on the face-to-face training, will be provided.

(*) The GEF LME:LEARN project has some funds to support the participation of successful applicants to attend the face-to-face training in Vietnam. These will be considered on a case-by-case basis according to our funding criteria.