AN ACTION GUIDELINE AND THE ACTIVITY OF THE WOMEN FOR ONE OCEAN, JAPAN

Women for One Ocean is a networking mechanism based on the Ocean Alliance Initiative, University of Tokyo, which was a research project for the development of a network of women in Ocean-related research and industries. The purpose of our activities is 1) Increase the proportion of women in the ocean-related research and industries, and women in managerial positions, 2) Develop policy recommendations. Since April 2018, we have been holding a video meeting once a month to exchange information before COVID-19 became pandemic. This style makes it easy for people to join in from home or in remote locations around the world. We also disseminate opinions via booklets, homepage and SNS, have class visits, science schools, and local communities, progress SDGs achievements (eg., 5 and 14). In 2021, the UN Decade of Marine Science for Sustainable Development will begin. As mentioned in the SDGs, sustainable development requires diverse perspectives. It is expected that women will play an increasingly important role in the area of ocean science.

We are aiming for realizing a sustainable society and the marine environment. We are going to set up our action goals in the extended meeting in March 2020 in Tokyo. The action goals will include; 1) the ratio of women, 2) female leaders, 3) continuation of career, support towards child care and education, 4) research collaboration in ocean sciences, 5) policy recommendation for ocean policy, and more active roles of women in the society. In order to continue the network, we need to consider members’ needs of support, taking turns to MC the monthly web meetings, build experience in voicing opinions, making recommendations, drafting public documents, taking turns to rapporteur the web meetings. We also encourage students’ participation and independent activities and exchange with international networks.

In this presentation, we would like to introduce our activities and have a constructive discussion.