a Showcase of the WOC Internship Program 2021
This internship was built from the challenge that many NGOs, including the WOC have – there is more work than what we have the resources for, while talented young people are struggling to get relevant working experience. In an era of increasing uncertainty, complexity, and inequality, this program was created to be sustainable and regenerative. Therefore, in addition to a conventional internship program, Enrol Yourself (EY)’s Learning Marathon structure was also applied: a project based, peer group learning accelerator.
A cohort of 13 people has gathered for this 3-month Internship with two objectives in mind: to equip themselves as up-and-coming professionals with lifelong learning capabilities to meet of the need of future of work and to thrive in time of uncertainty, and as young professionals to provide themselves with involvement in real-life projects and direct engagement with ocean industry operators.
Each intern had two tracks of projects: the WOC Program Project, and a Self-Identified Learning Project. Some interns also hosted a workshop.
In ShowCase event, Cohort of 2021 internship will present what we have been working on. We invite you to join the ShowCase day to have a taste of journey and provide feedback to our learning. Date and time: Thursday 9th September 2021, GMT 1pm.
View ShowCase Booklet
View Mural Board of ShowCase Map
*Both Booklet (Google Slide) and ShowCase Map (Mural Board) are live working document. With the link above you can see our work in progress and soon you will be able to provide comments in both documents.
What follows is the list of each of the interns and their projects to be showcased:
Hannah Leach
WOC Program Project:
Young Ocean Professionals Program
Self-Identified Learning Project:
How to practically engage all of society in radical food democracy so that the environment and biodiversity are regarded as equals in sustainable development?
Workshop Delivered During the Program:
Should we dependent on the market to solve the environmental crises?
Si Chen
WOC Program Project:
GloFouling Partnerships Project
Self-Identified Learning Project:
Whether and how should I start a company in the ocean energy industry?
Workshop Delivered During the Program:
Underwater acoustics, anthropogenic noise, and its potential impacts on marine mammals
Alessandro Gibertini
WOC Program Project:
Ocean Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Working Group
Self-Identified Learning Project:
How to communicate the Ocean and Blue Economy through a radio show?
Workshop Delivered During the Program:
ON AIR: speaking and producing
Yvonne Oeser
WOC Program Project:
Ocean Investor Roundtable/Ocean ESG Framework
Manikarachchige Imali Udeshika Manikarachchi
WOC Program Project:
Small Islands and Blue Economy Business Development
Self-Identified Learning Project:
In what ways ocean sciences can help sustain the blue economy and how to achieve that.
Workshop Delivered During the Program:
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Isabella Glušauskaite
WOC Program Project:
SMART Ocean-SMART Industries (SO-SI)
Self-Identified Learning Project:
How the standardization of data would be applicable across states and research institutions which would be beneficial for maritime archaeological research projects in the future?
Workshop Delivered During the Program:
Identifying and /or Researching Maritime Archaeology and Its Probable Impact
Farzaneh Shakeri
WOC Program Project:
Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty
Self-Identified Learning Project:
How to translate legal concepts into figures and vice versa
Workshop Delivered During the Program:
How lawyers perceive the ocean? (Foundations of Law of the Sea)
Michelle Chong
WOC Program Project:
Global Blue Economy Innovation Initiatives Network
Self-Identified Learning Project:
What are the most effective financing strategies for ocean biodiversity conservation (including government, the private sector, non-profits, and individuals)?
Workshop Delivered During the Program:
Strategies for detecting wildlife trafficking through financial flows & e-commerce
Caroline Schaus
WOC Program Project:
Blue Economy/Ocean Sustainable Development Communications and Events
Self-Identified Learning Project:
How can I get inner city youths in landlocked Colorado involved in the climate movement?
Workshop Delivered During the Program:
Introduction of Conservation Ecology and Intersectional Environmentalism
Adelaida Patrasc-Lungu
WOC Program Project:
30 x 30 Marine Conservation/Marine Protected Area (MPA) Campaign
Self-Identified Learning Project:
How can I leverage Portugal’s early adoption of microalgae research and production for identifying opportunities for valorization of marine microalgae as food source and means for carbon sequestration?
Workshop Delivered During the Program:
Intro to Environmental Psychology
Zoe Scott
WOC Program Project:
Ocean Restoration/CO2 Removal Roundtable/Program
Self-Identified Learning Project:
What are the potential applications of current technology and research to combat ocean acidification?
Tina Liu
WOC Program Project:
WOC Internship Program 2021 Host
Self-Identified Learning Project:
How can we use business as a regenerative practice for oneself, our organization, our society, and for our earth?
Workshop Delivered During the Program:
Our World & Research – Philosophy, Science and Action Research
*Note: this 2021 internship program is a pilot. This year interns worked as volunteer and the training is free of charge. The intention for future program is to be inclusive and sustainable: paid internship, with paid training with possible bursaries.