Second edition of UNESCO’s Blue Friday: Friday, November 24 and Saturday, November 25, events and meetings as an alternative to Black Friday to protect the ocean
Friday, November 24 and Saturday, November 25, the second edition of Blue Friday returns to Venice, the sustainable alternative to Black Friday. It is an initiative promoted by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, “ocean-friendly” because it promotes conscious and environmentally aware consumption.
During the days of Black Friday’s frantic shopping rush, Blue Friday aims to raise awareness in the global community about ocean conservation and to reflect on purchasing choices, promoting the adoption of eco-friendly behaviors to transform the traditional shopping period into an opportunity for the well-being and future of the planet.
Alongside Francesca Santoro (Senior Programme Officer for IOC/UNESCO and global head of Ocean Literacy, Ocean Education initiatives), many experts will address topics such as bluewashing and eco-anxiety, and encourage the adoption of low environmental impact lifestyles.
Special guests during these two days in Venice, featuring panels and cultural activities, include navigator Giovanni Soldini and Swedish presenter Filippa Lagerbäck. The latter will host a special Blue Aperitif – A Totem for the Ocean, the format created and written by Anna Peregrini, Diana de Marsanich, and Marc Teynier with contributions from Francesca Santoro, created to showcase the commitment of researchers, scientists, entrepreneurs, artists, and citizens to making the world “blue,” ethical, and sustainable.
#BlueFriday2023
“This year, the Blue Friday event takes on even greater significance because it allows us to reflect on the role of the ocean in view of COP 28, the UN climate summit that will take place in Dubai from November 30 this year. For the second year, the Ocean Pavilion will be present at COP, demonstrating how the ocean is increasingly taking its place at the center of the international political agenda: it will be a crucial moment of dialogue to propose solutions on how to address the climate crisis starting from science,” emphasizes Francesca Santoro. “Blue Friday is a call to action directed at citizens, institutions, companies, and research centers, a fundamental moment for Ocean Education and to raise awareness of the importance of the ocean and marine ecosystems at multiple levels.”
IOC/UNESCO will present some results from the work “Collaborating with the ocean: a new model for ocean-literate corporate action” carried out with Onde Alte to identify bluewashing operations. As with “greenwashing” – but in reference to the “blue” part of the planet and the organisms that inhabit it – bluewashing refers to superficially sustainable activities, aimed at cleaning up one’s image or building it in a deceptively positive manner.
Through accurate indicators and analysis, the framework distinguishes virtuous ocean protection projects from those that are not, helping companies to navigate and make effective choices that are truly sustainable for the ocean.
At the center of the Blue Friday debate are also health and climate change, starting from eco-anxiety, the pervasive fear of climate change and its consequences that can affect mental health.
The Program
Two days of meetings, debates, and a journey through Open Ateliers, the walk curated by Venezia da Vivere through Venice’s creative spaces.
Friday, November 24
Hotel Ca’ di Dio, Riva Ca’ di Dio, Castello 2183
From 5 PM to 7 PM
A round table with experts, sustainability creatives, institutions, companies, and Blue Friday partners operating in the fashion, luxury, sustainable tourism, and technology sectors.
Institutional greetings:
Francesca Santoro, Senior Programme Officer for IOC/UNESCO
Matteo Innocenti, psychiatrist and psychotherapist, founder and President of the Italian Climate Change Anxiety Association – AIACC
Christophe Mercier, Director of Hotel Ca’ di Dio
Fabio Murzi, President of Fondazione Acqua dell’Elba, who will present the example of Acqua dell’Elba, an artisanal perfume manufacturer committed to the protection and enhancement of the sea through its Foundation.
Laura Scarpa and Lorenzo Cinotti, communication experts, creators of the Venezia da Vivere network and organizers of events such as Venice Fashion Week, will present The ecosystem of sustainable projects.
Stefano Sogne, Brand Manager Made by Turisanda (Alpitour World), will present the Sensibility project, one of Made’s “goals” that offers travel to the world’s most beautiful places subject to deterioration due to their fragile social and natural balances, according to minimal impact criteria and in the spirit of “traveling with respect.” Itineraries focused on protecting local populations and safeguarding natural resources through valuable experiences for travelers and communities, following the principles of sustainable, responsible, and conscious tourism.
Giovanni Soldini, navigator, skipper of Maserati Multi 70, will participate.
Moderated by journalist Diana de Marsanich.
From 7 PM to 8 PM
A special edition of Blue Aperitif. A totem for the ocean, the format created to discuss ocean topics during the pandemic as a series of Instagram live sessions. The ten questions created by Anna Peregrini, Diana de Marsanich, and Marc Teynier with contributions from Francesca Santoro evolve into a real aperitif created for Blue Friday, with the support of the bartenders at Hotel Ca’ di Dio, in which presenter Filippa Lagerbäck will interview marine biologist and National Geographic Explorer Giovanni Chimienti.
“Within the Ocean Decade, I want to contribute to amplifying the message of conservation and spreading the importance of living in connection with our Blue Planet: our future depends on the ocean,” says Filippa. “Even though I work in fashion and advertising, I like to have few key and essential pieces, and my purchases are always considered and meant to last over time.”
Free participation with mandatory registration on Eventbrite.
Saturday, November 25
From 10 AM to 11:30 AM
Open Ateliers. A walk with the Venezia da Vivere team to meet sustainable artisans and Venetian creatives.
11:30 AM
Palazzo Zorzi, headquarters of the UNESCO Regional Office for Science and Culture in Europe (Rio de S. Severo – Castello 4930)
Francesca Santoro, Senior Programme Officer for Ocean Education at the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, presents the new book Natural Capital (Paesi edizioni) by Daniele Moretti, journalist and deputy director of SkyTG24.
Among the guests, Giovanni Pelizzato, Director of the historic bookshop La Toletta in Venice. Moderated by journalist Diana de Marsanich.
Free participation with mandatory registration on Eventbrite.
Cover image: Marta Formentello.
