#WorldMaritimeDay - Today is World Maritime Day and the theme for 2015 is “Maritime education and training”.
World Maritime Day is been celebrated today at the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) headquarters in London, but other events and activities focusing on maritime education and training will be held throughout the year.
The theme of "Maritime Education & Training" was adopted to focus attention on the wider spectrum of maritime education and training, in particular its adequacy and quality, as the bedrock of a safe and secure shipping industry. There is a need to preserve the quality, practical skills and competence of qualified human resources, in order to ensure its sustainability.
The 1978 STCW Convention and Code, as amended, set the international benchmark for the training and education of seafarers. While compliance with its standards is essential for serving on board ships, the skills and competence of seafarers, and indeed, the human element ashore, can only be adequately underpinned, updated and maintained through effective maritime education and training.
Symposium: "Shipping's future needs people: Is global maritime education and training on course?"
The Symposium is scheduled to take place today at IMO Headquarters. Speakers from the shipping and maritime industry and academia will address three sessions, covering:
Session 1: Opportunities for the young generation in the maritime industry
Session 2: Seafaring as a profession
Session 3: Developing seafarer skills through quality maritime education and training
IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu will open and close the Symposium.
Member Governments, inter-governmental organization and non-governmental organizations in consultative status with IMO are invited to nominate delegates to attend the symposium.
Other events
Member Governments, the maritime industry and training centres are invited to organize their own events to support the theme today across the world.
