Laura Meriläinen

In 1981, by Resolution 36/67, the United Nations designated September 21 as the International Day of Peace. The 2023 celebrations occurred at a time when the world is more than ever, in many parts of the globe, being confronted by the need for peace in many fronts. While the news media is besieged by the […]

‘How can we expand our imaginations of solidarity in support of human rights defenders?’ this question was posed by keynote speaker Wangui Kimari (Mathare Social Justice Center, Nairobi, Kenya) at the opening of the 2023 annual conference of the Association of Human Rights Institutes under the theme, ‘Human Rights Defenders Under Siege’ (7-9 September 2023, […]

This blog post reflects on the local, national and international screenings and other developments related to the documentary ‘Cocooned in Harmony’, and reflections on some of the questions that have often come up after the documentary screenings. The Journey of ‘Cocooned in Harmony’ so far Since the ‘Cocooned in Harmony’ documentary was premiered on 31 […]

You are warmly invited to join our events on innovative approaches for governments, scientists and civil society to respectfully engage with Indigenous and local knowledge in ocean research and governance. These events will contribute to celebrate UN World Ocean Day by reflecting on the need for inclusivity, equity and integrated approaches in the implementation of […]

Cocooned in Harmony: Power, Agency and Multiple Realities in the Songs of Indigenous Ghanaian Seine Fisherfolk” or “Cocooned in Harmony” for short will be screened at the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow 19 April 2023 at 2pm. The screening is followed by a Q&A with researcher Eric Debrah Otchere (University of Cape Coast, Ghana) […]

Workshop on using arts-based and knowledge-solidarity network approaches for the empowerment of small-scale fishers to have their voice heard Wednesday, 29 March, 10am-1pm (Rome time) Register here (event is in-person only) Venue: Chagall Meeting Room, Hotel Ripa, Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 3, 00153 Rome (details about the hotel here) Small-scale fishers in many countries have […]

The International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA 2022) provided a significant opportunity to raise awareness and advance understanding of the human rights of small-scale fishers, fish workers and their communities. Throughout IYAFA, we have deepened joined efforts with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), theUN Office of the High Commissioner for […]

The distinctive histories and legal trajectories of Ghana, Namibia and South Africa provide important reflections for understanding the current obstructions and opportunities surrounding the recognition and protection of the customary laws of Indigenous peoples and small-scale fishing communities along the coast and sea across diverse contexts in Africa. Hub researchers have identified the need for […]

Last week, Hub researcher Kerry Sink (South Africa National Biodiversity Institute) and a team of marine scientists in South Africa embarked on a multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary offshore expedition to enhance the capacity of young southern African scientists and to collect data in outer shelf and deep-sea habitats. The cruise is funded by the Hub. The […]