Celebrating World Ocean Day Through Youth Engagement

To mark World Ocean Day 2026, the Oceanography Malta Research Group (OMRG), within the Department of Geosciences at the University of Malta, partnered with the International Ocean Institute (IOI) to organise a video competition encouraging students to reflect on the importance of our oceans and marine environment.

The local winners were the Mediterranean College of Sport (Malta), while the international winners were the 6th Junior High School of Heraklion, Crete, Greece.

On 6 June 2026, a small awards ceremony was held at the University of Malta in the presence of Prof. Valerie Sollars, Pro-Rector for Strategic Planning and Sustainability, Prof. Alan Deidun, Rector's Delegate for SEA-EU, and Mr Cosmin Nicolae Chivu, Project Officer of the IOI.

The winning school received the complete World Ocean Review book collection for its library, while participating students were awarded copies of Children and the Sea. These prizes were generously provided by the International Ocean Institute, together with additional University of Malta goodies.

The ceremony also served as an opportunity for students and academics to discuss sustainability, ocean literacy, and the importance of protecting marine and coastal environments.

The OMRG would like to thank the teachers involved Ms Nicole Thake and Mr Jake Bonello, Mr David Ramirez and Ms Audrey Zammit for coordinating the initiative, and Mr Kristov Scicluna for photographing the event.

We are proud to see young generations actively engaging in ocean conservation. Their passion reminds us that every action counts towards a healthier and more sustainable ocean for all.