1 - 29 July, Phuket, Thailand
Offered by IOI Thailand in partnership with its host institute, the Marine Resources Conservation Division, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) of the Government of Thailand, the sixth IOI Thailand Training Programme was delivered in July. A total of 20 participants from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Philippines, and Thailand successfully graduated the programme as the latest cohort of IOI Alumni.
The IOI Thailand training on ocean governance was held less than a month after the 3rd UN Ocean Conference was convened in Nice, France. In such a favourable global context for the cause of the Ocean, the goal of the one-month training programme was to provide a deep insight into global ocean governance, its history and its instruments, with a focus on regional ocean governance frameworks, more particularly the Southeast Asian seas and the Indian Ocean. Starting from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and related instruments, the curriculum addressed conservation measures, fisheries, tourism, marine pollution, including plastic, conservation and biodiversity, climate change, maritime transport and shipping, marine scientific research, within and beyond the countries’ EEZ (BBNJ Agreement).
The specific objective of this training programme, delivered in English, was to enhance the capacity of government officials, staff of partner organisations including universities and research institutes, and other stakeholders on ocean governance by providing training on international law and related instruments related to ocean, throughout the different scales of governance, from global, regional, national and local, from the territorial waters to the EEZ, and international waters.
In practice, training consisted of: (i) a daily presentation and discussion on a specific topic; (ii) region specific reading materials; (iii) individual participant’s learning expectations; (iv) weekly feedback and discussion sessions, and (v) co-preparation in small groups of four, of coastal and management projects to be presented and discussed by the end of the course.
Overall, the participants completed the course with a deep sense of satisfaction, having gained substantial insights into international regulations, frameworks, and agreements, complemented by national case studies. They appreciated the thoughtful blend of lectures, group work, and field visits that fostered both theoretical understanding and practical engagement. The teaching panel's diversity, spanning academics, government officers, industry experts, NGO professionals, policy makers, and entrepreneurs, made their learning more efficient. The MSP simulation game, site visits, and their own project making, allowed them to connect with real-world applications. Many appreciated the engaging and knowledgeable lecturers, as well as the exposure to multiple perspectives on ocean governance. For participants with limited prior background in marine affairs, the course gave them the needed spark for future research and development.
Training Course Director, Dr Yves Henocque, was responsible for the oversight and delivery of the programme along with IOI Thailand Director Dr Anuwat Natheewathana, and Mr Sanchai Tandhavanitj, Course Manager, assisted by Ms. Poungthong Onoora, Assistant Course Director, and Dr. Smith Thummachua, Assistant Course Director. As last year, this training with supported in all practical matters by the dedicated DMCR staff.