Background

The OceanTeacher Global Academy (OTGA) is a flagship capacity development platform of the  Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, supporting communities and  countries in acquiring the skills needed to make impactful ocean decisions and policies. Guided by the IOC Capacity Development Strategy, 2023–2030, OTGA mobilizes a global network of experts  and training centres towards a common goal. Through its online platform and in‑person courses, OTGA supports over thousands of learners within IOC Member States, and beyond, strengthening global understanding of ocean research, observations, and increased benefit from services and various ocean science advances. Free and open to all, OTGA offers a growing portfolio of innovative topics and “blue skills”, building a global network of ocean champions and ensuring every country has the tools, knowledge, and capacity required for a resilient and sustainable ocean future.

The Steering Group for the IOC OceanTeacher Global Academy (OTGA-SG):

• In coordination with the OTGA Secretariat, provide expert advice on the relevance and appropriateness of a set of strategic priorities that deliver into the IOC Capacity Development Strategy 2023-2030 and IOC Medium Term Strategy 2022-2029;
• Review and provide expert guidance on high-level work plans for the OTGA, proposed by the OTGA Secretariat;
• Contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of OTGA training activities, within the context of monitoring and evaluation activities of the IOC Capacity Development Strategy 2023-2030 implementation plan, including advising on improvements and updates of procedures and standards of the Learning Management System;
• Advise the OTGA Secretariat on relevant developments in global, regional, national, or sectoral training activities or capacity development initiatives that may impact OTGA operations;
• Implement coordinated action to support the maintenance of IOC-recognised training activities within the context of the IOC Capacity Development Strategy 2023-2030, including engaging in collaborative initiatives and resource mobilization; and
• Contribute to regular meetings in support of IOC capacity development operations and community building, including facilitators’ meetings and alumni symposia.

The Steering Group is composed, inter alia, of:

• A Chair or co-Chairs of the Steering Group
• Representatives from IOC Programmes, including OTGA and Capacity Development and IOC Regional Sub-Commissions
• RTC Coordinators
• STC Coordinators

Meeting goals:

In this meeting, the Steering Group will: 

(1) review the achievements of the network in the past year; 

(2) jointly evaluate training needs/priorities (global, regional, national) and potential contributions to address those;

(3) discuss enhancements in the Learning Management System and its implementation; 

(3) discuss activities and workplan for the next biennium 2028-2029.

Format: ONLINE

The sessions are expected to last approximately two hours per day and will be repeated to accommodate different time zones (Session 1: 06:30-08:30 CET; Session 2: 16:00-18:00 CET).