On May 8th, the WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (GOI) marked its 7th anniversary with the event “Sail for Impact”, co-hosted with PVO Expeditions. The celebration brought together Ph.D. and MSc students from the World Maritime University (WMU), researchers from the GOI and Ocean-related programmes, the PVO team, and fellow ocean professionals for a teaching day dedicated to ocean awareness, sustainability, and collaborative impact.
WMU-GOI ANNIVERSARY x PVO EXPEDITIONS
Exploring Sailing as a Tool for Human Development & Ocean Awareness
The event was made possible with the generous support of the City of Malmö’s Harbour Master, the Marine Education Center, and the Global Ocean Leadership Initiative (GOLI).
Sailing Expedition - an afternoon on the water
The day began with opening remarks by Professor Ronán Long, Director of the WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, alongside representatives from PVO Expeditions. The Professor welcomed everyone and took the opportunity to highlight donors and partners to GOI on the occasion of its 7 year anniversary, and to thank colleagues across the team for their contributions to the success of its programmes and activities.
PVO Expedition’s Managing Director, Junhee Cho, welcomed the group, briefly introducing the mission of their non-profit, and expressing deep appreciation for the collaboration with WMU-GOI to deliver a memorable experience on the city’s iconic waterfront.
Participants then moved to Malmö Harbour, where Jonas Malm, Harbour Master at the Malmö Harbour Authority, delivered a warm welcome address, highlighting how the Sea has shaped the identity of the city of Malmö - linking it to the Baltic Sea and making it an important trading post in the middle ages and one of Sweden’s most important industrial and maritime cities in the 19th Century with the expansion of its docks and infrastructure to support shipbuilding, manufacturing, and international trade.
The highlight of the event was a guided sailing expedition around the Port of Malmö. Participants experienced hands-on sailing under the guidance of skilled skippers. All students were engaged and thrilled with the experience, and some even exclaimed it was their first time on a sailing boat.
Ocean research - a session of dialogue and exchange
Following the sailing session, an informal reception offered space for networking and exchange. The GOI and PVO teams engaged with attendees, responded to questions, and shared insights about their work and shared mission.
This dynamic gathering successfully celebrated the Institute’s achievements while charting a path forward. It underscored the synergy between GOI’s mission of ocean sustainability and governance, and PVO Expeditions’ focus on ocean advocacy, emotional resilience, and storytelling through sea-based experiences.
Education and Outreach - make a difference
The “Sail for Impact” event emphasized the role of sailing not only as a sport or leisure activity, but as a powerful tool for ocean literacy and sustainable development. It highlighted the need for experiential approaches in ocean education and outreach, through programming, research, and public engagement fostering meaningful connections with the ocean.
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About the 12th annual World Ocean Summit & Expo
The World Ocean Summit, hosted by Economist Impact with the support of The Nippon Foundation, is a leading global platform dedicated to accelerating the transition to a sustainable ocean economy. The 12th edition, held in Tokyo in 2025, brought together a diverse range of stakeholders—from business and finance to government, civil society, and academia—to foster collaboration and drive action on ocean health. Set against Japan’s rich maritime heritage, the summit focused on ocean stewardship, innovation, and practical solutions to marine challenges, paving the way for progress on UN SDG 14, focused on the ocean.
About PVO Expeditions
PVO Expeditions is a Copenhagen-based nonprofit sailing initiative dedicated to ocean advocacy, personal development, and impact-driven storytelling. Through immersive sailing experiences, PVO empowers individuals and organizations to explore how time at sea nurtures resilience, leadership, and environmental responsibility. Their work blends science, creativity, and community to inspire new ways of living in harmony with the ocean.