Preliminary Agenda
“All hands on deck! Sailing towards a greener horizon!”
5 – 6 November 2024
BluePoint Brussels, Belgium
The first day of the event will be streamed via WebEx.
Day 1: 5 November 2024, 12.00 – 17.45 hrs
12.00 – 13.00 Coming aboard & first ration
Registration & Lunch
13.00 – 13.30 Lifting the anchor: Welcome remarks
Introductory video
13.30 – 13.45 30 Months at Sea – An overview of the Plastic Pirates
A citizen science initiative spreading across Europe: What are its achievements; what has been learned?
The Plastic Pirates – Go Europe! team shares insights of the main activities, results, and learnings of the initiative. Short pitches provide background to the following sessions and set the scene for the summit.
13.45 – 14.45 Young Pirates on Deck: Sharing first-hand insights
What were the experiences of young adults in the Plastic Pirates citizen science initiative across Europe? What can we learn from their feedback? Was there an impact?
Young adults from across Europe share their first-hand experiences, insights, and their lessons learned from taking part in the Plastic Pirates – Go Europe citizen science initiative. Based on their presentation, the panel will be discussing the importance, pathways, and impact of citizen engagement via citizen science.
14.45 – 15:30 Lowering the anchor: Coffee Break and Speed-dating
Young Plastic Pirates Ambassadors and other Mission Ocean projects present their achievements and activities in the foyer
15.30 – 16.30 Pirating for Plastics: The Scientific Treasure
What are the scientific findings of the Plastic Pirates – Go Europe! citizen initiative on plastic pollution in European rivers and oceans? Are there plastic pollution hotspots? What can we learn from the results?
Plastic Pirates – Go Europe! showcases the role of Citizen Science in advancing scientific knowledge. The team presents consolidated data and findings on macro- and micro-plastic litter in Europe. Subsequently, an expert panel evaluates the significance of these findings in relation to scientific excellence and the objectives of the EU Mission Restore Our Ocean and Waters, as well as the potential for future research.
16.30 – 16.40 Sailing the Seven Seas: A Global Battle Against Plastic Pollution
Let’s look beyond Europe! What are the worldwide efforts in the fight against plastic pollution? And do the Plastic Pirates contribute to a global cause?
16.40 – 17.40 Plastic Pirates setting a new course? The future of the citizen science initiative
What comes next for the Plastic Pirates initiative? How to further upscale the initiative? What should be done to secure its achievements and further advance the approach?
The Plastic Pirates – Go Europe! citizen science initiative is certainly a success story. But has the story already been fully told? The Plastic Pirates could become a permanent part of citizen science being done in Europe. They could work more closely with the Blue Economy sector or even expand to all of Europe and beyond.
17.40 – 17.45 Sailing into harbour: Closing remarks
Day 2: 6 November 2024, 09.00 – 13.45 hrs
10.00 – 10.30 Lifting anchor: Welcome remarks
Short pitch by each moderator for their workshop
10.30 – 12.00 Workshops – parallel sessions
Workshop 1: What is needed to become a blue citizen?
Workshop lead: EU4Ocean Coalition
During the workshop the participants will jointly elaborate on the concept ‘blue citizen’ and the key words: Ocean, citizenship and democracy. This includes establishing a link between active citizens who acquire or enhance their ocean literacy and who take responsibility for securing the ocean with the democratic process, which creates the policy and regulatory framework necessary for maintaining a healthy, resilient, and sustainable ocean.
Workshop 2: Riverine data on (plastic) pollution – How to streamline data collection and management?
Workshop lead: Erasmus Maris
The Plastic Pirates – Go Europe! delve deeper into data collection in citizen science and share their experiences in streamlining these processes. Workshop participants contribute their insights and collaboratively discuss recommendations for the future.
Workshop 3: How to upscale, maintain and coordinate Citizen Science in the Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters’ objectives?
Workshop lead: Otters (tbc)
Workshop participants, including those involved in participative projects under Mission Ocean, share their experiences with citizen science. Together, the group outlines recommendations for Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters.
Workshop 4: Inclusive Approaches to Citizen Science – How to build trust in Science through Participation?
Workshop lead: Ciência Viva
Citizen Science thrives on the voluntary engagement of individuals. This workshop explores strategies to effectively involve diverse groups, including youth typically less engaged in such activities. Participants will delve into co-creation methods for Citizen Science projects aimed at fostering deeper understanding, appreciation, and trust in science.
Short presentations on the results from the workshops by moderators and Q&A