Drawings and Voices for the Ocean
Proposal for UNOC3 (Nice, June 2025) by Terra Curanda (Belgian civil association)
in cooperation with the Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, Unesco Chair on Human Security (University Blas Pascal, Argentina), Mundus Maris (Belgian civil association)
1. Executive Summary
“Drawings and Voices for the Ocean” is a collaborative beach art initiative that invites small groups to create large-scale sand mandalas inspired by Bruges lace and marine biodiversity. The drawings symbolically reflect the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), using environmentally friendly methods and a spirit of solidarity, creativity, and intercultural exchange.
2. General and Specific Objectives
General Objective:
To raise awareness about ocean protection and global cooperation through participatory beach art that engages communities in a meaningful and creative way.
Specific Objectives:
- To visually represent the SDGs through a symbolic and ephemeral mandala on the beach.
- To foster intercultural dialogue and cooperation among participants from different backgrounds.
- To inspire environmental responsibility through artistic, educational, and joyful engagement with nature.
3. Justification
The ocean is both a source of life and a symbol of global interconnection. This project proposes a form of artistic action that is low-tech, accessible, sustainable, and inclusive. It links environmental education with cultural heritage (lace-making, mandalas) and aims to create a positive, collaborative experience.
4. Description of the Activity
- Location: Plage Beau Rivage, Nice, France
- Other beachs in Costa Rica, etc. for replication (optional)
- Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours
- Exhibition: One day with film and pictures
- Drawing Format: One large circular mandala (6 to 8 meters in diameter) plus optional smaller motifs
Steps:
- Select compact, moist sand area.
- Mark central point using stick and string.
- Smooth the surface with brooms or brushes.
- Outline the design with sticks and rakes.
- Add spiral, wave, and marine motifs.
- Finally, write inclusive messages in different languages.
Materials:
- Rakes, brushes, sticks, string
- Optional: buckets, natural pigments (turmeric, spirulina, beetroot)
Participants: intercultural team of 5 to 10 people in a spirit of kindness and solidarity.
5. Connection with the SDGs
This project directly embodies:
- SDG 14: by honoring ocean biodiversity and fragility
- SDG 17: through its collaborative, intercultural nature
It also indirectly connects with:
- SDG 4 (Quality Education)
- SDG 13 (Climate Action)
- SDG 16 (Peace and Inclusion)
6. Intercultural and Community Focus
The project is designed to be inclusive, joyful, and welcoming. It promotes:
- Dialogue between generations and cultures
- Participation of youth, elders, and migrants
- The use of multiple languages and symbolic expressions
7. Educational and Communicative Impact
Participants learn about marine conservation, sustainability, and cooperation through:
- Hands-on creation and collective work
- Environmental education woven into artistic action
- Emotional connection with the ocean
8. Visual Aids
Here, illustrations and infographics will be included: aerial view of the design and 6-step instructional guide
9. Possibilities for Replication
This project is designed to be scalable and adaptable:
- Can be replicated on beaches in Costa Rica (e.g., Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica)
- Suitable for educational institutions, NGOs, community festivals
- Variants possible in schoolyards or squares using chalk or soil
10. Contact
Ready to collaborate with institutions and networks supporting ocean action, cultural heritage, and peace education.
Drawings and Voices for the Ocean is a voluntary commitment to promote marine protection and human rights through symbolic art, multilingual media, and legal awareness. It combines visual creativity and public dialogue to support SDG 14 and the implementation of international ocean governance instruments such as UNCLOS.
The commitment includes the production of at least 10 radio interviews to be broadcast on Radio Alma FM 101.9 (Brussels). These multilingual interviews (in ES, FR, EN) will feature scientists, artists, legal experts, and community representatives from Latin America and Europe, discussing the ocean as a vital space for life, rights, and international cooperation, including Mundus Maris asbl
At the same time, large-scale sand drawings (mandalas) will be created on the Plage Beau Rivage in Nice, using eco-friendly tools like rakes and sticks. These ephemeral artworks, inspired by marine biodiversity and intercultural symbols, will serve as visual metaphors for ocean unity and vulnerability.
The project includes:
- Visual beach events, drawing marine life and inclusive messages in the sand using sustainable methods.
- At least 10 radio interviews (ES/FR/EN), recorded and aired from Brussels, highlighting connections between ocean health, cultural identity, and legal frameworks.
- Public promotion of ocean-related human rights, raising awareness of instruments such as UNCLOS and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in accessible, creative formats.
- Multilingual educational resources for replication in coastal schools, NGOs, and civil society platforms.
By linking SDG 14 with SDG 4 (education), SDG 16 (peace and justice), and SDG 17 (partnerships), this commitment builds bridges between environmental ethics, civic responsibility, and cultural expression. It directly supports target 14.a by fostering cooperation and increasing awareness of ocean law and governance. All outcomes will be shared through the Voluntary Ocean Commitments database and made accessible to global audiences.
Annex: Educational deliverable – Conceptual Card Game
As part of the commitment, a multilingual conceptual card game on Ocean, Human Rights and SDG 14 will be distributed. It includes 40+ themed cards. The game encourages participants to make thematic combinations (vital functions, governance, intergenerational justice, etc.)
The cards are organized by color-coded themes, inspired by the color wheel, and include:
- 🔴 Vital functions (oxygen, food, health)
- 🔵 Ocean nature (biodiversity, resilience)
- 🟡 Knowledge and education (literacy, science, youth)
- 🟢 Environment (pollution, climate change)
- 🟠 Governance and cooperation (treaties, data)
- 🟣 Justice (human rights, gender, future generations)
- ⚪ Culture and spirituality (languages, worldviews)
- ⚫ Risks and conflict (threats, migration)
- 🟤 Economy and labor (blue economy, small-scale fisheries)
- 🟫 Memory and legacy (heritage, intergenerational transmission)
Each card includes:
- A short quote from a trusted international source (e.g., “Without a healthy ocean, there is no healthy planet” — António Guterres, UN Ocean Conference, 2022)
- A question for reflection designed to spark individual and group dialogue
- A color code indicating the thematic area it belongs to
The game also includes wild cards (jokers) and instructions for combinations, encouraging players to explore how values and ocean-related issues are interconnected.
It can be played by groups in formal and non-formal education settings (recommended for ages 10+), supporting discussions on:
- Ocean as a common good
- Rights of future generations
- Link between ocean health and human dignity
- International legal instruments like UNCLOS
- Cultural and emotional connections to the sea
This symbolic, creative and interactive tool will be used in workshops, schools, community centers and public events. It supports SDGs 14, 4, 13, 16 and 17, and is fully aligned with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
Conceptual Card Game: “Oceans, Human Rights and the 2030 Agenda”
About the Cards: This educational card game includes over 40 concept cards The goal is to connect players with key issues at the intersection of ocean protection and human rights through symbolic combinations.
🔴 RED – Vital Functions (oxygen, food, planetary health)
- “The seabed and its subsoil… are the common heritage of mankind.”
— UNCLOS, Art. 136 - “Without a healthy ocean, there is no healthy planet and no healthy people.”
— António Guterres, UN Ocean Conference, Lisbon, 2022 - “At least 50% of the planet’s oxygen comes from the ocean.”
— UNESCO, Ocean Literacy Portal - “Globally, fish provide more than 3.3 billion people with 20% of their average per capita intake of animal protein.”
— FAO, The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture, 2022
🔵 BLUE – Ocean Nature (biodiversity, climate regulation, resilience)
- “Oceans harbor the greatest biodiversity on Earth, much of which remains undiscovered.”
— UNEP, 2022 - “The ocean is the planet’s largest climate regulator and carbon sink.”
— IPCC, 2021 - “Healthy marine ecosystems enhance coastal resilience against climate change impacts.”
— IPCC, 2019 - “The ocean has absorbed more than 90% of the excess heat generated by greenhouse gas emissions.”
— IPCC, Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere, 2019
🟡 YELLOW – Education and Knowledge
- “Ocean literacy is understanding the ocean’s influence on you and your influence on the ocean.”
— UNESCO-IOC, Ocean Literacy Toolkit, 2017 - “Incorporating ocean perspectives into curricula helps students connect local realities with global ocean health.”
— UNESCO, 2021 - “Knowledge of the ocean must be freely accessible and contribute to equitable and sustainable development.”
— UNESCO, Decade Implementation Plan, 2021 - “Environmental education, including ocean literacy, is essential for informed decision-making and stewardship.”
— UNESCO, Education for Sustainable Development Goals, 2017
🟢 GREEN – Environment (pollution, health, acidification)
- “More than 11 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean every year.”
— UNEP, 2021 - “Pollution from land-based activities remains a major threat to the health, productivity and biodiversity of the marine environment.”
— UNEP, 2019 - “Human health is tightly linked to ocean health.”
— UNESCO, One Ocean Science Campaign, 2021 - “Ocean acidification is a direct result of increased atmospheric CO₂ and poses a threat to marine biodiversity and ecosystems.”
— IPCC, 2019
🟠 ORANGE – Cooperation
- “The BBNJ Agreement aims to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.”
— United Nations, 2023 - “States shall promote international cooperation in marine scientific research.”
— UNCLOS, Art. 242 - “The collection and sharing of marine data are crucial for managing ocean resources and responding to environmental change.”
— UNESCO-IOC, 2020 - “States Parties shall settle any dispute between them concerning the interpretation or application of this Convention by peaceful means.”
— UNCLOS, Art. 279
🟣 VIOLET – Justice (rights, equity, future generations)
- “Future generations have a right to a healthy environment and stable climate, including ocean ecosystems.”
— UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Climate Change, 2021 - “Women are critical to the sustainability of fisheries, yet their contributions are often invisible and undervalued.”
— FAO, Gender and Fisheries Policy Brief, 2020 - “Everyone has the right to live in a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.”
— UN General Assembly Resolution A/76/L.75, 2022 - “Environmental issues are best handled with participation of all concerned citizens, at the relevant level.”
— Principle 10, Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, 1992
⚪ WHITE – Culture and Spirituality
- “Indigenous and local languages encode valuable knowledge of marine ecosystems and navigation.”
— UNESCO, Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger, 2011 - “Many coastal sites bear witness to the intertwined history of humans and the sea and are recognized as cultural heritage.”
— UNESCO, World Heritage Marine Programme - “Many indigenous and coastal communities perceive the ocean as sacred and alive.”
— UNESCO, Indigenous Knowledge and the Ocean, 2022 - “Artistic expressions inspired by the ocean help bridge science and society, fostering emotional connections and awareness.”
— UNESCO, Ocean Literacy for All Toolkit, 2017
⚫ BLACK – Risks and Conflict
- “Deep-sea mining should not proceed without understanding and managing its environmental impacts.”
— UNEP, 2022 - “People on the move by sea face specific challenges requiring human rights-based responses.”
— UNHCR, 2020 - “The loss of marine biodiversity poses risks to food security, climate stability and human well-being.”
— IPBES, Global Assessment Report, 2019 - “Climate change and unsustainable human activities are creating new forms of marine insecurity.”
— UN Security Council Briefing on Ocean and Climate, 2021
🟤 BROWN – Economy and Labor
- “A sustainable blue economy ensures economic growth, improved livelihoods and ocean ecosystem health are mutually reinforcing.”
— UNEP, Blue Economy Guidelines, 2021 - “Small-scale fisheries support 90% of employment in the sector but are often marginalized.”
— FAO, 2022 - “Decent work in the ocean economy is key to sustainable development.”
— ILO & UNESCO, 2020 - “Innovation can help reconcile ocean protection with economic development.”
— UN Global Compact, 2021
🟫 SEPIA – Memory and Legacy
- “The ocean is a shared legacy that links past, present and future generations.”
— UNESCO, Ocean and Cultural Heritage Framework, 2020 - “Many coastal cultures have maritime histories that span millennia, shaping collective identity.”
— UNESCO, 2019 - “The loss of indigenous languages often entails the loss of ocean knowledge.”
— UNESCO, International Year of Indigenous Languages, 2019 - “Coastal communities are losing both land and memory due to rising seas.”
— IPCC, 2021
🃏 WILDCARDS – Optional use
Joker 1 – Ocean Voices
“Listening to the ocean means listening to the people, the science, and the spirit it carries.”
— UNESCO Ocean Literacy Vision, 2021
Joker 2 – Shared Ocean Governance
“The ocean is our shared responsibility and must be governed for the benefit of all humanity.”
— UNCLOS Preamble, 1982
How to Play:
- Each player is dealt 3 cards, and 4 cards are placed face-up in the centre of the table.
- On their turn, each player draws a new card and may attempt to form a valid combination based on thematic colour rules.
- If a combination is made, the player collects those cards into their pile, places a new card face-up in the centre, and passes the turn.
- Wildcards (jokers) can be used freely; they may substitute any colour needed for a valid combination.
- The game ends when all cards are played. The player with the most points from combinations wins.
💠 Possible Combinations & Pedagogical Meaning:
This game encourages players to reflect on how ocean, ecological, and social issues are interconnected, and how decisions must be made collectively, as part of a values-based ecosystem.
MIXED COLOURS (5 points): 3 cards = red + yellow + orange; blue + yellow + green, or red +blue + violet (2 primary colours + 1 mixed result of these 2 colours)
PRIMARY COLORS (4 points): 3 cards = red + blue + yellow
SECONDARY COLORS (3 points): 2 cards = orange + green + violet
COMPLEMENTARY COLORS (2 points): 2 cards = red + green; blue + orange, or yellow + violet(opposite colours)
SIMILAR HUES (1 point) ): 2 cards = a pair of related shades (light + dark brown, or light + dark grey
Information on the chromatic circle
📘 Color Wheel Basics – Educational Guide: The card colors follow the logic of the color wheel, a visual tool that helps players discover how concepts and values interrelate through color-coded themes. Here’s a simple explanation:
🎨 Primary colours: red, blue, yellow.
(These are base colors and cannot be created by mixing others.)
🌈 Secondary colours: green, orange, violet.
Mixed colours: red + yellow = orange; blue + yellow = green; red + blue = violet
- 🎯 Complementary Colors: opposite on the color wheel (red and green).
➤ They generate contrast and intensity when paired. - 🌫️ Similar Hues: tones that are close in range, like light and dark brown.
➤ These show gradual shifts or related themes within the same axis.