Parallel session 6: How does inequality post-COVID-19 affect Coastal Communities?

Abstract

The past few years have shown great global focus on ocean issues. The High-level panel of sustainable Ocean Economy, the Our Ocean Conference and, not least UN Decade of Ocean Science are important expressions of this. As important as the world’s oceans are for the globe and a growing global population, we must also keep in mind the people living of and by the sea. This session will focus on inequality in distribution of ocean wealth within and among coastal communities, and on inequality in access to data among northern and southern universities.

            COVID-19 have forced us to rethink and stimulate a transformation process. We therefore need to search for opportunities for blue stimulus. One way can be investing in Costal and Marine Ecosystem Restoration and protection. This can in the short term, mean creation of new jobs. How can we use the effect of this disaster as a trigger to create more resilient nations and solutions than before?

Key questions

1. Which critical re-thinking and re-formulation of the SDGs needs to be undertaken in order to understand and tackle changing forms of inequality post-COVID-19?
2. Reflecting the discussions in this session, what are the three most important recommendations for policy development and reform addressing global post-COVID-19 inequalities in health?

Programme and participants:

13:00-13:05    Welcome: Lise Øvreås, University of Bergen

13:05-13:10    Introduction to panel: Ragnhild Overå, University of Bergen

13:10-13:20    “To what extent will we see inequalities both between and within countries becoming increased as a result of the Corona outbreak?”

Mr. Fe`iloakitau Kaho Tevi, Consultant to the governments of Vanuatu and Solomon Islands

13:20 -13:30   “How will post-COVID-19 affect small-scale fisheries globally?”

Professor Ratana Chuenpagdee, Memorial University of Newfoundland

13:30-13:40    “In a post –Covid world, lessons in living must come from the Ocean”

Professor John Kurien, Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, India and WorldFish Center, Penang, Malaysia

13:40-13:50    “Global Capasity for Ocean Sceince & Data post COVID-19”

Professor Director Sheila Heymans, European Marine Board

13:50-14:30    Discussion with all speakers, organized by moderator Professor Ragnhild Overå, University of Bergen

14:10-14:30    Opening for questions from chat, interaction

14:30               End of session

Session organizer and resource persons  

Session organizer: Lise Øvreås, University of Bergen

Moderator: Ragnhild Overå, University of Bergen

Discussant: Marine Director Amund Måge, University of Bergen