Launch of the Series of Talks: Oceans: Common Heritage, Shared Challenges

The oceans, often described as the lungs of our planet and the cradle of civilization, are facing an unprecedented crisis. Successive United Nations reports warn of their alarming degradation, highlighting our collective struggle to manage the impact of human activities on these vital ecosystems. Preserving the oceans is not just an environmental issue—it is a challenge that deeply questions our relationship with the maritime world and our ability to rethink development models.

How do coastal communities adapt to change? What economic and social mechanisms drive overexploitation? How can we establish more equitable ocean governance? The humanities and social sciences offer essential insights into understanding and addressing these challenges. From maritime law to anthropology, from history to economics, they help decipher the complex relationships between societies and the oceans.

A series of talks between researchers and civil society

These critical issues call for dialogue between researchers and civil society. The humanities and social sciences go beyond analysis—they develop innovative solutions that reconcile environmental protection, social justice, and sustainable development. They also remind us that the oceans are cultural spaces, rich with histories and traditional knowledge essential to their preservation.

Ahead of the Third United Nations Ocean Conference, set to take place in Nice in June 2025 under the aegis of France and Costa Rica, the Fondation Maison des Sciences de l'Homme is launching a series of discussions bringing together researchers in the humanities and social sciences alongside field experts. Together, they will rethink ocean conservation, governance, and sustainable management.

In a context shaped by climate change and its uncertainties, these dialogues aim to foster and share innovative approaches to safeguarding our shared maritime heritage.