Seminar “The Sea as Potential and Representation: Unlocking the Power of the Oceans”

The Universidade Católica Portuguesa, in collaboration with Sophia University (Tokyo, Japan), is organising the seminar ‘The Sea as Potential and Representation: Unlocking the Power of the Oceans’, which will take place on June 18th at 2pm in the Portugal Pavilion at EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

The event will be held in conjunction with the exhibition ‘Poetry as an Echological Survival’, by the artist Nuno da Luz.

The seminar will explore the multifaceted significance of the oceans from both practical and symbolic perspectives. Scholars and experts will engage in an interdisciplinary dialogue, addressing the sea as a source of economic potential, environmental sustainability and technological innovation, while also examining the social impact of cultural, artistic and symbolic representations.

By fostering a deeper understanding of the ocean's power and potential, the seminar seeks to inspire global action toward preserving and responsibly utilizing marine resources, aligning with broader goals of sustainability and human advancement.

PROGRAMME - Japan time  (GMT+9; Portugal +8 hours)

2:00 pm – 2:10 pm Welcoming Session
                   Isabel Capeloa Gil, President, Universidade Católica Portuguesa

2:10 pm - 3:10 pm Coastal Zone Management
                  Sustainable Coastal Zone Management in Sri Lanka: Challenges and Opportunities, Dr. Vindya Hewawasam
                  Sophia University's activities in Japan's coastal management, Prof. Guangwei Huang
                  Enhancing Energy Security and Achieving Zero Waste in Africa, Prof. Nkweauseh Reginald Longfor

3:10 pm - 3:50 pm Marine Biotechnology
                  Marine Natural Products for Health and Wellness, Prof. Ana Gomes
                  Bioremediation Strategies for Marine Protection, Prof. Paula Castro

3:50 pm - 4:30 pm Marine Ecology, Law and Governance
                  The universal duty to take care of the ocean, Dr. Maria Ermida
                  Ocean Governance and Sustainability, Prof. Sónia Ribeiro

4:30 pm - 5:10 pm Round Table: Ocean Sustainability

                  Dr. Vindya Hewawasam (moderator); Margaux Anniemarie Duhem; Jiarong Hu;
                  Dhyna Apriyanti; Sara Cunha; Maria Ermida

5:10 pm - 5:20 pm Blue Economy
                  Dr. Nelson Lage, ADENE – Agência para a Energia

5:20 pm - 5:40 pm Before the future
                  Before the future: The sea as a changing landscape in Portuguese cinema, Prof. Daniel Ribas

6:10 pm - Opening session of the Exhibition “Poetry as an echological survival” (June 18-19)
                  by artist Nuno da Luz and Curated by Nuno Crespo
                  Production: School of Arts, Universidade Católica Portuguesa

7:00 pm - Reception
 

You can watch the seminar HERE | MORE INFORMATION

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