Francesca Santoro - Programme Specialist, IOC UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe
Anne-Marie Melster - Co-Founder and Executive Director ARTPORT_making waves

Wednesday, 17th March, 07:00 PM

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Francesca and Anne-Marie will tell their story by creating a narrative of their engagements, initiatives and experiences in form of a dialogue. They will explain how working on a meaningful topic can actually stimulate and “wing” people, particularly the younger ones. But rather than presenting their achievements, they will unfold why they do this and why it is important to engage kids through respective programs and seduce the people to come on board. Working in and for ocean protection is not just another environmental protection program, it is important for the survival of humankind.

Francesca Santoro works for the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO where she is in charge of ocean literacy and ocean science communication activities, as well as of the coordination of a global partnership to raise the awareness of stakeholders on the important of the ocean for the planet. Francesca holds a PhD in analysis and governance for sustainable development from the School for Advanced Studies in Venice (SSAV) with specialization in marine environmental sciences, marine governance, science education and communication. Francesca joined UNESCO in 2011, and before she worked as lecturer for the University Ca' Foscari of Venice.

Anne-Marie Melster is a multidisciplinary art curator, writer and advisor focusing on social and environmental issues. As the co-founder and executive director of ARTPORT_making waves since 2005 she creates interdisciplinary projects which search for environmental and social solutions. She has curated numerous international art exhibitions and projects including film and video in collaboration with renowned institutions, organizations and governments worldwide, also for several UN Climate Change Conferences, always responding to the need to develop them in a sustainable way.

https://www.artport-project.org

Each Prada Possible Conversation will also result in a donation from Prada to UNESCO, whose work during the COVID-19 pandemic focuses on the importance of culture, creativity, and education for over 1.5 billion students worldwide affected by school and university closure, as well as on a programme to increase international cooperation in science. Supporting their initiatives across the globe, this is a further demonstration of the vital exchange between fashion and society.