This course is primarily intended for decision makers and professionals responsible for the planning and management of marine areas and their resources. It is especially targeted to situations in which time, finances, information and other resources are Iimited. The course provides an introductory, but comprehensive, overview of MSP. It focuses on describing a logical sequence of 10 critical steps that are all required to achieve desired goals and objectives for marine areas. It does not focus on the technical details of any one of the steps, e.g., it is not intended to be a course that will help to develop a marine geographic information system or implement a performance monitoring system. When available, references to existing technical guides, handbooks, and websites are suggested in the course materials. This course can help professionals at the international, regional, national, and sub-national levels who want to know more about the promise and potential of MSP as a way to achieve multiple goals and objectives, including sustainable economic development and biodiversity conservation within a specified marine area. This course is targeted for participants from Europe, the Mediterranean basin (north and south), and the Black Sea. Procedure for applying A TOTAL NUMBER OF 20 SEATS is available for this training course. The course will be hosted at the IOC/IODE Project office in Ostend. A group booking has been made at a local hotel in Ostend town center. IMPORTANT: As part of the 20 seats, we will accept up to 10 self-sponsored participants and thanks to the support provided by the Govt of Flanders, the IODE Project Office, and IOC’s MSP programme, we are able to offer 10 training grants (travel and accommodation) for trainees from south and eastern Mediterranean countries as well as the Black Sea The grants will include travel support to and from Ostend, hotel accommodation and pocket money for the duration of the course. Participants are responsible for obtaining their travel visa and appropriate insurance. Interested applicants should send their CV and a short letter explaining why they should take this course, by 5 May 2011 at the latest. These should be sent by email or fax to : Mr. Julian Barbiere ICAM Programme Coordinator IOC/UNESCO Email : j.barbiere@unesco.org Fax : 33 1 45 68 58 12