Marine Biodiversity Networking Friday: Building Bridges

On February 14, 2025, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM UTC+0, we will have a special session focusing on Building Bridges. Water connects us all, yet millions still lack access to clean drinking water, safe sanitation, and a healthy environment. In this webinar, Onewater explores how science, policy, and community-driven solutions can bridge the gaps in water and ocean governance, why explaining your work to your family matters, and how communication can drive real-world change.

Speakers

Veronica Relano

University of Santiago de Compostela, SP Veronica was born far from the sea in central Spain but always felt a strong connection to the ocean. She studied Marine and Environmental Sciences at the University of Cadiz, where she also got involved in environmental education and social issues. After spending two years between France, Spain, Belgium and New Zealand, she earned a master’s in marine Environment and Resources. Veronica then moved to Germany to work at the Technical University of Munich, studying the impact of hydropower plants on ecosystems. With a prestigious "La Caixa" scholarship, she pursued a PhD in fisheries at the University of British Columbia in Canada, focusing on marine conservation. Currently, Veronica is a postdoc at the University of Santiago de Compostela, where she studies equity in global fisheries and works on a project to protect 30% of European seas by 2030, together with the European Commission. She also leads the Oceans Program at the NGO “Onewater” and runs a UN Ocean Decade project called “SOS We Are Oceans.”

Christian Fischer

Asian Development Bank and Onewater Christian Fischer is an experienced water and communications professional with a decade of expertise spanning knowledge and project management, data analysis, and strategic communication. His multidisciplinary background spans four degrees in Economics, Biology, Marine Resources, and Water Science, Policy, and Management. These underpin his success in leading and supporting diverse projects in water resources, WASH, marine sciences, renewable energy, and natural capital. Fischer has successfully worked on the entire spectrum of communication and knowledge management deliverables and has a proven track record in techno-economic assessments, innovative financing mechanisms, communication campaigns, event management, and capacity building. His technical skillset spans a good share of the Adobe suite, data analysis, events, writing and onsite and offsite content production. Currently, Fischer contributes his skills to the Asian Development Bank, supporting research, content creation, knowledge management, and events within the Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector. As co-founder and voluntary managing director of Onewater, he leads a passionate team of 150+ volunteers in his free time, driving impactful communication, research, and advocacy in water, sanitation, and ocean sciences.

Moderator

Andrea Bozman

North SciComm and Nord University, NO Andrea Bozman is an award-winning ocean science communicator and founder of North SciComm. Specializing in Ocean Literacy, she develops innovative projects bridging science, art, and education. Her book Callie og vannveggen has 2,100 copies in circulation as an Ocean Literacy tool. She received the 2024 MakeEUBlue Best Blue Education Initiative Award and Nord University’s Dissemination Prize (2014). We will continue with the Networking Fridays during the next months. More information about future sessions as well as presentations and videos from previous sessions can be found here. Please do not forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel.  Twitter Hashtag: #netfridays. Expect some very exciting mornings, afternoons or evenings, depending on where you are… If you need any additional information please send an email to Patrícia Cuan.