The International Ocean Institute (IOI) was created in the University of Malta, in 1972. One founding member is Professor Elizabeth Mann Borgese, mecenas of Oceanology and daughter of 1929 Nobel Literature prize, Thomas Mann.
IOI emerged from the cooperation between the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions in Santa Barbara, California, and the Government of Malta, upon the initiative of that Government, in 1967, to introduce the concept of deep oceans as Common Heritage of Mankind within the context of the United Nations. This cooperation culminated with the first “Pacem in Maribus” - PIM - (Peace in the Oceans) conference, in 1970, during which this concept, its economic contents, and its institutional implications were explored.One important conclusion was that these aspects required progressive research and development and that these objectives would be best achieved through the creation of an institute.
With support from the United Nations Development Program, IOI was created, basically to promote education, training, and research and therewith improve the peaceful use of the oceans and their resources, their management and regulation, and the protection and conservation of the marine environment.
IOI is an independent, non-governmental, international, non-profit organization, incorporated in the Netherlands, and headquartered in Malta. IOI has operational centers in India, Senegal, Fiji Islands, Japan, China, Canada, South Africa, Rumania, Germany, Kenya, Chile, Thailand, Australia and Costa Rica.
Background of IOI - COSTA RICAThe IOI Regional Operational Center for the Caribbean (IOI - COSTA RICA) was engendered in 1993, upon an invitation, through the Earth Council, by its authorities to Universidad Nacional. In 1994, the creation of IOI- Costa Rica was enabled by agreement with participation of the Exact and Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Philosophy and Letters, and Earth and Sea faculties, represented by academic units in Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Philosophy, Psychology, Environment, Agrarian, International Relations, and the Master´s program in Economic Policy. During 1995-1997, activities were initiated with Spanish speaking countries of the Wider Caribbean, Ecuador, and Peru. In 1997, the first major links were established with South Cone republics through affiliation of the School of Marine Science of the University of Chile to IOI.
In 1995, IOI-Costa Rica initiated its start-up program and developed seminars, courses, and conferences, with full support from academicians and authorities of these four Faculties.
From its centers, IOI-Costa Rica reaches out and shares results of its research programs and annual PIM conferences with decision makers at all levels: politicians, policy advisors, authorities, and community leaders.
Symposia, conferences, and training programs are intended to reach deeper understanding of the increasing importance of the oceans and their resources in World Policy and Sustainable Economic Development: assist developing countries in creating a core of decision makers who are aware of the complexities of oceanic and coastal management; and, maximize the benefits derived from the New Law of the Sea Convention, through adequate integration of ocean and coastal management into national and international development strategies.
IOI-Costa Rica's strategy consists of bringing together the different social sectors (civil, governmental, technical, and scientific) involved with oceans, help them go beyond their spheres of action through the creation of a common language conducive to the development of this new shared faith and culture.
Oceans constitute 70% of our planet's surface. Close to 60% of the world's population lives within 80 kilometers from the coastline; and despite the ecological, economic, and social significance of oceans and their coastal zones, still comprehensive studies of ocean and coastal ecosystem studies, some very urgently needed in Latin America, particularly within the American Intertropical Sea, continue being very scarce.
Due to the above, IOI–Costa Rica this operational center devotes most of its efforts to prepare and develop seminars, conferences, training courses, and workshops, on subjects such as: implications of future climate on ecosystems and the social and economic structure in marine and coastal zones; management of tropical fisheries; tourism development in marine and coastal zones; prospects and options for management of tropical marine resources; ocean-land-atmosphere interaction and its impact on global change; forecast and management of fishing operations; marine oil spills and marine pollution in general; social and economic impact of global change on marine and coastal areas; declaration of Peace Zones and regional cooperation, and the impact of climate change on Ecological Economy.
As of 1998, consistent with endeavors of other operations centers, IOI-Costa Rica in its endeavors takes special interest in communal development and implementation of sustainable productive projects.
