These future maritime leaders, studying at the Arab Academy of Science, Technology & Maritime Transport, based in the Egyptian coastal city of Alexandria, also use two powerful symbols. in their videos: the anchor, instantly recognizable in any language, and the Semaphore, another universal symbol of communication at sea, using the flag.
Spell it out
Arms move in sharp patterns, students spell, with flags, the same urgent text they form with their bodies when viewed from above.
The message was not a matter of theory for these future seafarers; it is at the heart of their personal journey that began with an organization committed to helping the world realize Sustainable development goals (SDGs) particularly on climate action (Goal 13) and aquatic life (Goal 14).
Hailing from Egypt, Djibouti, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Libya and Mauritania, the students created their video message to the United Nations Ocean Conference, which will put this issue first. on the international agenda when held in Lisbon from June 27 to July 1. .
‘Green World’
“We live in a green world,” explains Dr. Kareem Mahmoud Tonbol, Associate Professor of Physics of Oceanography and Climatology and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research. that oceans and seas cover more than 70% of the Earth’s surface.
“The ocean is the heart and lungs of our planet, providing the majority of the oxygen we breathe,” said Dr Tonbol, from the UN Department of Global Communications.
Concern for the future
He explained that hundreds of students contributed to the video, motivated to submit their maritime SOS, out of concern for the future of humanity.
“The oceans are the heart and lungs of our planet, providing most of the oxygen we breathe,” he said. “They are also an important element of the ecosystem and an important source of food and medicine.”
According to Dr Tonbol, more than three billion people around the world rely on marine and coastal biodiversity for survival, while the oceans absorb more than 30% of man-made carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate the impact of climate change. warming on the planet.
The oceans also sustain the world’s marine and coastal resources and industries, he points out. “In every way, we are directly related to our waters.”
The ocean is the heart and lungs of our planet – Kareem Mahmoud Tonbol
It took a week of preparation, a team of video experts, and choreography of scores of students in marine uniforms, but the Academy felt the investment was worth it to send a strong signal from the Abu campus- Their Qir to the Conference.
“Our message is to mobilize and unify the world’s efforts to support sustainable management of the world’s oceans by fostering a global citizen movement that protects the resources ocean and marine environment.
Their decision to send a video message to the United Nations is in line with the Academy’s longstanding partnership with the world organization.
And the Academy has included in its strategic plan a commitment to “fulfill social responsibility and align with the SDGs, significantly increasing levels of research and teaching support for achieving a healthy planet and lasting.”
For Dr. Tonbol, this is not just a question of a plan on paper; It is a legacy left for generations to come. “Our role is to shape future leaders by investing in young minds as we embark on the intergenerational transition to help them join the development revolution,” he said. sustainable development and create motivation to realize the sustainable development goals”.
“Sustainable development relies heavily on ensuring that our children and future generations inherit an earth no worse than the one we inherited, so we spend research efforts to promote innovative solutions for the benefit of humanity.”
