Training Programme in Ocean Governance for Africa

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The International Ocean Institute – Southern Africa (IOI SA) is based in Cape Town, South Africa, functioning as the African regional training centre within the IOI global network. The IOI SA developed the 4-week training course in Ocean Governance for Africa in order to better address the management and governance capacity needs of the region. The course structure and content was broadly modeled on the courses run through IOI Canada and IOI Malta, with customization specific to the African continent. It was launched in 2013 in Cape Town with the support of the IOI through the Ocean Science & Research Foundation (OSRF) and the partners of the IOI SA. The programme is designed to suit a broad range of participants from government, NGO and private sector with varying backgrounds and levels of experience.

Training Programme information:

  • Offered by IOI in Cape Town, South Africa
  • Four week residential programme offered annually in September
  • Coverage of regional Ocean governance issues with specific emphasis on the African Seas
  • The course is designed to meet the need within Africa for awareness and training in Ocean governance. It works towards building a sustainable core of experts on Ocean governance on the continent. The course focuses on Africa and emphasises the benefits of harmonising ocean policies to promote a shared, integrated and common approach to Ocean management.

Basic Course Outline: 

     o Module 1: Oceans and Coasts – Opportunities and Threats

     o Module 2: The Governance Framework

     o Module 3: Governance Tools

     o Module 4: Governance in Action

     o Module 5: Creating a Supportive Environment for Effective Governance

 

Field Trips and Assignments:

Field trips during the course are held to demonstrate real examples of some of the governance tools and mechanisms. Participants will be expected to complete a number of assignments, one of which will be presented on the final day of the course.

 

Objectives:

  • Build a core of well-informed decision-makers in Africa;
  • Deepen the understanding of the importance of the regional seas and their resources in the context of regional politics and sustainable development;
  • Provide insight into the regulatory frameworks for coastal and Ocean governance, promote harmonisation of policies;
  • Build capacity to maximise the benefits afforded by implementing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other conventions;
  • To promote the role of science and technology in supporting the development and implementation of Ocean governance systems;
  • To highlight emerging socio-economic and environmental issues and the need for Ocean governance to adapt to changing scenarios;
  • To present regional problems and explore potential solutions;
  • To provide a forum for exchange of views between managers and researchers,
  • Promote a better understanding of the science management interface in coastal and Ocean management;
  • To catalyse the establishment of an IOI network in the region comprising of past and future participants.

Target Audience: The course is intended for mid-career professionals, educators, researchers and civil society members that have coastal and marine related responsibilities, functions or interests, preferably from countries within the African region.

 

More information can be found on the IOI South Africa website.

2024 Training Programme

Guided by the dedicated leadership of Lynn Jackson and Judy Beaumont, and with the invaluable support of Kirshia Govender, the International Ocean Institute – Southern Africa (IOI-SA), in collaboration with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), successfully delivered the 11th Ocean Governance Training Programme. Held from November 4 to 29, this year’s course brought together 22 participants from 12 countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar, Nigeria, Tunisia, Ghana, Togo, Cameroon, Namibia, and Seychelles.

 

Over four weeks, participants engaged with leading regional experts across a wide range of ocean governance themes. The course emphasised interactive and experiential learning, featuring group discussions, policy brief exercises, and simulated governance activities. Read more...

2023 Training Programme

Under the able guidance of Directors Lynn Jackson and Judy Beaumont, and the assistance of Kirshia Govender, the International Ocean Institute – Southern Africa (IOI SA), organised and successfully delivered  the 10th Ocean Governance Training Progamme, welcoming 23 local and international participants: 15 from South Africa, and 8 from Algeria, Cameroon, Kenya (2), Mauritius, Mozambique,  Namibia and Tanzania. 

 

During the course, participants had the opportunity to engage with regional experts in a range of ocean governance thematic areas.  Course content was complemented with interactive sessions and group discussions.  Field trips provided an opportunity to apply the learnings in a practical setting. Read more....

2022 Training Programme

After the first two weeks of online training, it was finally possible to welcome the participants, to in-person training in Cape Town. Lectures were delivered by distinguished speakers from all over the region, with some presenting online. Field visits were also possible for the first time since the pandemic.

 

The course included legal, institutional, and technical aspects of ocean governance, with an emphasis on implementation, as this is a common shortcoming in capacity for environmental regulation in many African countries. Read more....