Blue economy has been the long-term strategy of the EU, aiming at sustainable growth in the marine and maritime sectors. It forms part of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. A new agenda for the seas is promoted also by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), a regional international organisation consisting of all 28 countries of the EU and 15 countries from South and Eastern Mediterranean.

A sustainable development driven by blue economy is thus a shared vision for the Euro-Mediterranean area and of concern to both Northern and Southern Mediterranean countries. It is based on the recognition of both the vulnerabilities of the seas and oceans, and their potential for growth. It promotes smart solutions for the marine and maritime challenges within the framework of sustainable development.

The Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI) was established as one of six priorities of the UfM in 2008. The issue of blue growth has recently become one of the key areas of its strategic orientation, launched in November 2017 with the organisation of a pilot training course on blue growth for young professionals from the region.

The summer school is supported by OGS within the framework of its Blue Growth Initiative supported by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) as part of the Italian contribution to the Western Mediterranean Forum (Dialogue 5+5) and submitted for labelling to the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM).

Objective of the summer school

The objective of the summer school is to introduce the participants (see below the target groups) to the significance of blue growth for the Euro-Mediterranean region and thereby impact their future careers or studies.

Themes and approach

The themes of the sessions are mostly related to the 5 priorities of blue growth as relevant for the entire region, i.e. the EU countries as well as non EU-countries. Themes will include, but are not limited to:

• Blue growth in the EU and the Euro-Mediterranean region
• The political context of blue growth
• Blue growth sectors
• Sustainable tourism paths
• Fisheries and aquaculture
• Marine spatial planning
• Maritime transport
• Ship building and ship recycling
• Blue energy
• Bioprospecting
• Deep sea exploration and mining

In examining the themes, the summer school will highlight the innovation and solution-oriented approach of the blue growth paradigm.

Participants will be asked to participate actively, including by submitting short assignments throughout the summer school.