CHFP Talks Maritime Heritage and Ocean Literacy in Australia

This September, the Cultural Heritage Framework Programme (CHFP) and Ocean Decade Heritage Network (ODHN) were represented at a series of events in Australia exploring the role of maritime heritage in ocean sustainability, science, and public engagement.

At the International Congress of Maritime Museums (ICMM) Congress, hosted by the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney, Charlotte Jarvis led a workshop on the UN Ocean Decade, Ocean Literacy, maritime archaeology, and the contribution of maritime museums to the Decade. The workshop highlighted the work of CHFP and ODHN, guiding museum practitioners through the Ocean Decade endorsement process and encouraging a more coordinated maritime museum approach to engaging with the Decade.

The discussions explored how museums can contribute to ocean sustainability by connecting cultural heritage with ocean science, communicating marine challenges to the public, and strengthening community engagement. Charlotte was joined by Amer and Andy, who shared insights from their CHFP-endorsed projects, while Lydia from Lloyd’s Register Foundation introduced and hosted the ICMM session.

The programme continued with a public panel at the University of Sydney, organised by Dr Natali Pearson. The Ocean We Want brought similar discussions to a wider audience, examining how maritime archaeology, museums, and cultural heritage can contribute to the goals of the UN Ocean Decade.

The series will continue in Western Australia, where Charlotte will give a public talk at the Western Australian Maritime Museum on shipwrecks, the marine environment, and the role of museums, once again highlighting the work of CHFP and ODHN.

Together, these events demonstrate the growing role of maritime museums and cultural heritage practitioners in advancing Ocean Literacy and ensuring that heritage is part of wider conversations about the future of the ocean.