Beyond the Grant: Harnessing Africa's Ocean Potential: The Third Colloquium on Oceans and Ocean Regions Governance
In an era of intensifying global challenges, thegovernance of oceans has emerged as a criticalissue for nations worldwide, transcendingenvironmental concerns and impacting economicdevelopment, human security, and internationalrelations. Recognising these complexities, theNational Institute for Humanities and SocialSciences (NIHSS) has supported groundbreakingresearch initiatives, such as the "Oceans andOcean Regions Governance" a project led byProfessor Maxi Schoeman. This initiative, now in itsthird iteration, is reshaping the narrative aroundAfrica’s engagement with ocean governance,positioning the continent as an active participantrather than a passive observer in globaldiscussions.
Launched in mid-2022, the Oceans Governanceproject was conceived to address theunderrepresentation of ocean politics within thedisciplines of International Relations (IR) andSecurity Studies in Africa. While South Africa haslong been recognised for its contributions tomarine research and policy, discussionssurrounding the broader implications of oceans forgeopolitics and human development hadremained peripheral. Professor Schoeman notesthat from the outset, the goal was to promoteawareness of ocean politics in its broadest sense,highlighting how issues such as climate change,illegal fishing, transnational crime, and oilexploration directly impact not just governmentsbut also the lives of coastal communities.