College of Education (COE) Associate Specialist Joanna Philippoff was invited to speak at a Prada Possible Conversation in Tokyo, Japan last month. The conversation was dedicated to SEA BEYOND, a project by the Prada Group conducted in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) to raise awareness of sustainability and ocean preservation.
Prada Possible Conversations are a series of talks among thinkers, cultural arbiters, scientists, and fashion figures from across the world. Philippoff, who was dressed in and gifted an entire outfit from Prada, was invited as a marine science education expert. She represented the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA), an organization whose mission is to advance the understanding and protection of marine ecosystems.
Philippoff was joined by fellow NMEA representative Meghan Marrero, UNESCO-IOC Senior Program Officer Francesca Santoro, and Emmy-nominated environmental photographer and climate artist Enzo Barracco. Each panelist discussed the urgency of ocean preservation and environmental stewardship as well as how art, culture, and education can raise awareness and inspire audiences to act. The conversation marked the opening of an exhibition of Barraccoʻs images from his latest book The Blue on Fire, Hawai‘i.
During the event, the Prada Group announced their support of a new educational initiative in Hawai‘i to develop the next generation of ocean stewards. Philippoff, together with Anuschka Faucci of Leeward Community College, will lead the Hawaiʻi Blue Schools Hui. This project will support 10 partnerships of schools and non-profit organizations in becoming “Blue Schools.” Blue Schools promote an interdisciplinary, inquiry, and project-based approach to teaching and learning about the ocean.
“Through immersive experiences and place-based action projects, the Hawai‘i Blue Schools Hui will strengthen students’ pilina (relationships) and kūleana (sense of responsibility) with the ocean,” Philippoff said. “Prada’s SEA BEYOND support will enable us to build students’ ocean literacy while celebrating Hawai‘i’s unique biodiversity and rich cultural legacy.”
Read Prada Groupʻs full news story.
