On 29 September 2025, Dr. Aleke Stöfen-O’Brien, Associate Professor (Research/Ocean Sustainability, Governance & Management) at the World Maritime University (WMU)-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (GOI), delivered a lecture titled “Foundation Teaching: Plastic Session” at the Sasakawa Auditorium, WMU.
LECTURE & trash-picking:
"FOUNDATION TEACHING: PLASTIC SESSION"
In her session, Dr. Stöfen-O’Brien focused on ocean governance and international efforts to promote the sustainable use of the ocean. Central to her lecture was an exploration of the global “plastic crisis,” which has become a pressing issue for researchers, policymakers, and communities worldwide. She not only gave an overview about the abstract level of plastic waste in the oceans, but she also encouraged students to take part in a hands-on exercise by collecting waste around the streets of Malmö to illustrate the scale of the problem. Within just 15 minutes, the students collectively gathered about 23.6 kilograms of waste, clearly demonstrating how pervasive plastic and litter pollution is in our daily lives. The students then proceeded to develop solutions to the plastic pollution problem and targeted specific items in the discussion.
PARTNER:
This lecture was organised in collaboration with the SEA-U Centre of the City of Malmö. The WMU Team would like to thank the team of the SEA-U Centre for their continued support in developing teaching activities.
For more information please contact the WMU-GOI at goisecretariat@wmu.se
About the World Maritime University
The World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmö, Sweden is established within the framework of the International Maritime Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations. The mission of WMU is to be the world centre of excellence in postgraduate maritime and oceans education, professional training and research, while building global capacity and promoting sustainable development. WMU is an organization by and for the international maritime community and is committed to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
About wmu-goi
The World Maritime University (WMU)-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (GOI) is an independent focal point for the ocean science-policy-law-industry-society interface where policymakers, the scientific community, regulators, industry actors, academics, and representatives of civil society meet to discuss how best to manage and use ocean spaces and their resources in accordance with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Institute was inaugurated in May 2018 and made possible through generous support from The Nippon Foundation of Japan, the Governments of Sweden, Canada, and Germany, as well as the City of Malmö.
About SEA-U Centre (Marint Kunskap Centre Malmö)
For 20 years, the Marine Education Center has developed the educational activities that are now conducted at the Marine Education Center and naturum Öresund, this is where we accept school classes and is open to the public throughout the year. We want everyone, regardless of background and opportunities – to access knowledge about the ocean and become ocean-aware. Our operations are based in Malmö and are financed by the city of Malmö and through our project assignments.