Washington, D.C., September 1, 2024 — Ocean Visions is proud to announce the first recipients of its Ocean-Climate Innovation Fellowship, awarded to three pioneering leaders who are driving transformative solutions at the intersection of ocean science, technology, and climate action. This prestigious fellowship recognizes emerging leaders from Africa and Latin America who are dedicated to building regional partnerships to advance innovative ocean-climate solutions in their countries and regions.
The inaugural cohort of Ocean-Climate Innovation Fellows includes:
- Shamim Nyanda (Tanzania)
- Catalina Reyes Vargas (Colombia)
- Mariam Swaleh (Kenya)
The Ocean-Climate Innovation Fellowship Program offers a year-long program of funding, coaching, co-designed capacity building, and collaboration opportunities to develop key partnerships and collaborations to advance innovative solutions, enhance scientific engagement, promote entrepreneurship, and foster equity and inclusion in addressing ocean and climate challenges.
The fellowship aims to develop the capabilities of fellows to effectively lead and manage the development of Ocean-Climate Innovation Hubs in Africa and Latin America.
Supporting the co-design and launch of Hubs is at the heart of Ocean Visions’ Global Ecosystem for Ocean Solutions (GEOS) Program. Hubs are intended to serve as regional and local catalysts for the advancement of ocean-climate solutions and are founded on the principle that effective and equitable development and implementation of ocean-climate solutions requires a global community of actors collaborating across diverse geographies, sectors, and disciplines.
“These fellows represent the future of ocean-climate leadership, combining scientific expertise, community engagement, and a shared vision for a healthy ocean and stabilized climate,” said Ocean Visions Director of International Partnerships Dr. Leonardo Valenzuela Pérez. “We’re excited to support these leaders as they continue their important work at the nexus of ocean health, climate action, and sustainable development.”
In addition to supporting Ocean-Climate Innovation Hubs and the related fellowship program, GEOS plays a pivotal role in hosting and amplifying the impact of UN Ocean Decade Projects that are aligned with Ocean Visions’ mission. As the UN Ocean Decade “base” for a diverse set of activities around the world, GEOS fosters collaboration between projects and helps to strengthen the emergent global ocean-climate community.
ABOUT OCEAN VISIONS
Ocean Visions is a non-profit organization that catalyzes innovation at the intersection of the ocean and climate crises. We facilitate multisector collaborations from within our Network and beyond, working with leading research institutions, the private sector, and public-interest organizations to fully explore and advance responsible and effective ocean-based climate solutions. In short, we work to stabilize the climate and restore ocean health. To learn more, visit www.oceanvisions.org