The Mediterranean Sea is a unique geographical and cultural space that unites 22 countries and over 450 million people, of which most live in the coastal strip. Breaking with its history of solidarity and shared prosperity, a series of crises is threatening its future.

At the environmental level, climate change and human pollution irreversibly degrade natural resources quality and weaken secure access to water, energy and food. The Mediterranean Sea has been described as one of the areas most affected by marine litter in the world.

At the geopolitical level, ideological and armed conflicts provoke uncontrolled migrations and social turbulences between and within countries.

At the economic level, high unemployment and low competiveness increase poverty and inequalities in the population.

This event aims to reflect on those major regional challenges from a collaborative, creative and participative way. It puts the focus on the Mediterranean Sea as a source of opportunities for common well-being. It imagines new solutions towards a more sustainable and inclusive development of the Mediterranean region. This event, organized by Mediterranean civil society, offers debates, workshops, exhibitions and meetings -virtual and face-to-face- with the participation of key stakeholders from the Euro-Mediterranean political, economic and social world.

                                                       DATES            24 November 2017                                                       PLACE      Maritime museum of Barcelona

TOPICS

Environmental state of the Mediterranean Sea

Marine litter and Circular Economy

Convention of Barcelona

Sustainable Blue Economy

TARGET      20 international speakers & 200 participants:

Policy officers and political leaders of local, regional and national public authorities

Managers and executives of the private sector

Students, professors and experts from universities and research centers

NGOs and civil society representatives

ACTIVITIES

Key notes and debates between experts, decision-makers and thinkers

Participative workshops, networking and knowledge-sharing activities

Cultural performances and citizens’ awareness micro-events

Blue Eco Forum is hosted by the Barcelona Council and co-organized by eco-union with the support of ENT Fundació, Surfrider Foundation Europe and Posidonia Green.