Prof. Mário Ruivo made many key contributions to marine science and policy in Europe. Find out who he was from the people who knew him best and discover what he did for the Ocean. He had a vision for a world where the Ocean was of central importance. Learn more about it and how we are achieving his dream.

Join this commemorative event at the Centre of Fine Arts in the centre of Brussels on 6 June 2018. It will comprise two segments:

• A conference with key presentations and talks about Prof. Mário Ruivo and his legacy. This session will be twofold. First, we will look back and present a retrospective on the life and work of this extraordinary man. In a second part the goal is to inspire everyone to continue where he stopped.

• An exhibition including the best photos from the I Live by the Sea competition, the highlights from EurOcean’s International Children´s Art Contest, photographs from Prof. Mário Ruivo inaugural 1957 bathyscaphe submarine exploration off the coast of Portugal, and more.

The event’s theme will be Ocean Literacy in a broad sense. It will acknowledge Prof. Mário Ruivo’s contribution to our knowledge of the Ocean and approaches to improving its management. Mário was instrumental in ensuring that Lisbon hosted Expo 1998 – the central theme of which was The Oceans: A Heritage for the Future. Now twenty years later, we offer an occasion to reflect:

• How successful have we been in understanding Prof. Mário Ruivo’s heritage?
• What new challenges is the ocean now facing?
• How and for what are we managing the Ocean?

Among the confirmed contributors for the morning session we have:

• Maria Eduarda Gonçalves – Prof. Mário Ruivo’s partner (Portugal)
• Lennart de Nooijer – NIOZ-NICO Expedition (The Netherlands)
• Cyrill Gutsch – Parley for the Oceans/Addidas (USA/Germany)
• Telmo Carvalho – IPMA (Portugal)
• Isabella Zielinski – Today We Have (Poland)
• Kelle Moreau – RBINS (Belgium)
• Tymon  Zielinski – IOPAN (Poland)
• Ricardo Serrão Santos – European Parliament (Portugal)
• Iouri Oliounine – UN-IOC (Russia)
• Ann Dom – Seas At Risk (Belgium)
• Lorenzo Minetti – Quagga (Italy)
• Álvaro Garrido – University of Coimbra (Portugal)
• Awni Benham – IOI (Malta)
• Manuel Heitor – Minister of Science, Education and Higher Education (Portugal)

Prof. Mário Ruivo was a man of action. Come and see, touch, feel and experience marine science through interactive sessions and hands-on demonstrations. Already we have confirmed the participation of Lisbon’s Instituto Superior Técnico, who will display one of their underwater autonomous vehicles and speak of its capabilities. We will also have the opportunity to learn about several activities currently undergoing within the Portuguese General Directorate for Maritime Policy ocean literacy programme including the fascinating voyages of their tiny little vessels that are drifting around the Ocean to spread very important messages.

This and many other experiences will surely serve to encourage any kids – and grown ups – to take part in what Prof. Mário Ruivo dedicated most of his life: the protection of our Ocean.

The event is being organised with different aspects to appeal to different audiencesincluding policy makers, representatives of ocean research organisations, NGOs and general public including young people.

The event will run for a full day, from 9:00 to 18:00.

Free registration is open here.

For more information please visit the event website