This collection of voices, stories, and reflections is both timely and necessary. At a moment when the ocean is under unprecedented pressure from climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, it is essential that we deepen not only our scientific understanding, but also our cultural and relational connection to the ocean.

In a recent reflection, “From Ocean Literacy to Relational Culture,” I explored the idea that ocean literacy must evolve beyond knowledge transmission to embrace a more profound, lived relationship between people and the ocean. This means recognizing the ocean not only as a resource or a system to be managed, but as a space of identity, memory, spirituality, and belonging. The contributions in this issue embody precisely this shift: they invite us to listen, to feel, and to understand the ocean through the lived experiences of those who are most intimately connected to it.

Collecting and sharing these testimonies is of critical importance. Whether they come from artists, women entrepreneurs, coastal communities, or individuals navigating the daily realities of climate change, these stories reveal the many ways in which human lives are intertwined with the ocean. They remind us that adaptation is not only technical, it is also cultural, emotional, and deeply personal. By amplifying these voices, we not only honor their knowledge and resilience, but we also enrich global ocean discourse with perspectives that are too often overlooked.

As a woman and a marine scientist from the Mediterranean, I feel a deep sense of connection to the stories presented here. While these narratives emerge from the coasts of East Africa, they resonate strongly with my own experiences and with the cultural heritage of Mediterranean communities. Across geographies, we share a common thread: a profound relationship with the sea that shapes our identities, our livelihoods, and our sense of place. This sense of proximity across distance is both humbling and inspiring.

One of the reflections that particularly struck me is a Swahili proverb: “Chombo hakiendi ikiwa kila mtu anapiga makasia yake”—a boat does not move forward if everyone is rowing in their own way. This wisdom speaks directly to the heart of our collective challenge. Addressing the ocean crisis requires collaboration across countries, disciplines, cultures, and generations. It calls for humility, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to a common direction. I firmly believe in the power of such collaboration, and this special issue stands as a powerful demonstration of what is possible when people come together, united by a shared passion for the ocean.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the SeaVoice team for the care, dedication, and sensitivity with which this work has been curated. My special thanks go to Nkirote M. Mbogori for her thoughtful editorial leadership, and to the Government of Sweden for their generous support in making this initiative possible.

May this issue inspire deeper connections, foster dialogue, and remind us all that the ocean is not only something we must protect, but also something we must learn to relate to, together

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Dr. Francesca Santoro

Senior Programme Officer

UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe