The United Nations Association of Norway

The United Nations Association of Norway has developed a writing assignment where the theme is sustainable oceans, with the One Ocean Expedition as a reference.

>> Write about life in the ocean (.pdf) <<

The target group for the assignment is students in upper secondary and high school, and it is easy for teachers to use.

Interdisciplinary

The ambition of the UN Association of Norway is to develop more teaching programs in the coming months.

- It is positive that One Ocean lasts for a full 20 months. It gives us time to develop good plans and at the same time set up cooperation between the schools over time. We hope that this cooperation will continue, even after the One Ocean Expedition is completed in April 2023, says Gunvor Andresen, regional leader for the UN Association of Norway, South-West.

She is pleased that the voyage around the world makes it possible to have interdisciplinary teaching on topics such as sustainable development, global citizenship and democracy. The class can follow the expedition as a supplement to their classes, without spending much additional time.

- We will not achieve sustainable development if the students are not given the right tools. We want to use the One Ocean Expedition to achieve a deeper understanding of how important the ocean is and what role the global community plays in this context, says Andresen.

The expedition being international and part of the UN's decade for marine research is also positive. It gives teachers the opportunity to take an active role and participate in an international collaboration between schools.

Great symbol

For the UN Association of Norway, it is important that the expedition is based on marine research and focus on getting more knowledge on ocean life.

- No matter where you live in the world, we have a common link to the ocean resources. We need good research and good data. And, this is important, we are dependent on people having confidence in the research that is carried out, Andresen says.

She hopes that many schools will take advantage of the opportunity to take the expedition into
the teaching. Statsraad Lehmkuhl is a great symbol of the UN's sustainability goal number 17, cooperation to achieve the goals.

- On its journey across the globe, the ship connects people across national borders and cultures. And to sail the ship itself, everyone on board is completely dependent on each other. It is a good way of showing that a common, sustainable future requires that we can cooperate, says Andresen.

The United Nations Association of Norway

The UN Association of Norway works for increased knowledge about the UN and international issues in Norway. The target groups spans from the school system and the media, to the general public. On their website you will find over 50 current and engaging activities and teaching programs, divided by theme.