Oceanographic Institute: marine exploration programme for underprivileged families

Five families that are supported by the Secours Catholique will benefit from a free educational programme to explore the Mediterranean.

The Monaco Oceanographic Institute is launching a new session of its “Oceano for all – Family” community support scheme. The objective is to welcome families whose geographical or social situation makes access to the marine environment challenging. Seventeen participants, including parents and their children, will explore the Mediterranean world through a programme designed especially for them.

Potential beneficiaries are identified, and logistical support is provided, through a partnership with the Aix-en-Provence-Arles branch of the Secours Catholique. The collaboration illustrates the Monegasque institution’s aim to make oceanographic science accessible to as wide an audience as possible. “Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers and partners such as the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, we are making the right to a holiday a reality for those for whom it is a distant dream,”   said Didier Duriez, President of Secours Catholique-Caritas France, in a press release.

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Three-day immersive programme

The activities on offer alternate between experiences on land and at sea. They will include: cetacean-watching excursions, snorkelling outings and guided tours of the museum. Participants will also explore the “Mediterranean 2050” exhibition and take part in educational workshops on plastic pollution.

Innovative technologies, such as virtual reality to visualise marine protected areas, are also part of this modern educational approach. It is hoped that the sensory experiences will create a lasting bond between the families and the marine environment.

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Ongoing financial support

The Friends of the Monaco Oceanographic Museum non-profit is funding the project to the tune of 450,000 euros. The donation will cover the participants’ accommodation, meals and supervision.

Robert Calcagno, Director General of the Institut, stresses the importance of these programmes to raise awareness of ocean protection:“I hope that these moments of wonder, shared as a family, will be etched on their memories. They are all powerful triggers for a real, lasting bond with the Ocean.”  A second session is already scheduled for 20 to 23 October, confirming the Institut’s ongoing commitment to this inclusive approach.