Mercy University Professor Joins Prada's Tokyo Panel to Champion Ocean Preservation and Education

Mercy University Professor Meghan E. Marrero; Enzo Barracco, Emmy-nominated environmental photographer and climate artist; Joanna Philippoff, board member of the National Marine Educators Association and Francesca Santoro, UNESCO-IOC senior program officer.

From left to right, Mercy University Professor Meghan E. Marrero; Enzo Barracco, Emmy-nominated environmental photographer and climate artist; Joanna Philippoff, board member of the National Marine Educators Association and Francesca Santoro, UNESCO-IOC senior program officer.

Mercy University Professor Meghan E. Marrero, EdD participated in a recent installment of Prada Group's Possible Conversations series hosted at the Prada Aoyama Epicenter in Tokyo, Japan. Marrero joined a panel of experts to discuss the urgency of ocean preservation, environmental stewardship, and the role culture plays in inspiring action. She was joined by Joanna Philippoff, a fellow board member of the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA); Enzo Barracco, Emmy-nominated environmental photographer and climate artist; and Francesca Santoro, UNESCO-IOC senior program officer.

“It is critical that we are continuing to discuss the importance of ocean literacy with broad audiences, because the health of our ocean ultimately affects human health," said Marrero, who has done extensive research in ocean literacy for teachers and students. She is also co-director of Mercy University’s Center for STEM Education and the national coordinator for USA Blue Schools, a program that promotes ocean literacy through authentic learning opportunities at multiple grade levels

During the Tokyo event, Prada Group announced its support of educational initiatives in the framework of SEA BEYOND to develop the next generation of stewards for our one ocean. After a first collaboration with NMEA that has put 16 schools in the Tri-State area on the path to becoming “Blue Schools”, 10 additional schools in Hawaii will now benefit from the same opportunity.

“Prada’s generous funding is now supporting 26 American schools to become Blue Schools, ensuring that thousands of K-12 students will be out in their watersheds conducting hands-on stewardship projects aimed at improving ocean health,” said Marrero. “I’m thrilled to lead the USA Blue Schools and work with students and teachers to improve ocean literacy in their communities."

Read more about the Prada Possible Conversations here https://www.pradagroup.com/en/news-media/news-section/24-12-11-prada-possible-conversations-tokyo.html

Enzo Barracco, Emmy-nominated environmental photographer and climate artist; Francesca Santoro, UNESCO-IOC senior program officer; Mercy University Professor Meghan E. Marrero and Joanna Philippoff, board member of the National Marine Educators Association and