A look back at the DIDEM thematic school at SEychelles
A look back at the DIDEM thematic school held in the Seychelles from June 10 to 14, 2024: the vulnerability of reef heritage.
From Monday June 10 to Friday June 14, 2024, a thematic school on the vulnerability of reef heritage was held at the University of Seychelles, Anse Royale campus.
Some thirty participants from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines shared their experiences from several countries in the Western Indian Ocean and Europe: Comoros, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Monaco, Seychelles and Tanzania.
Many of them were present on board the S.A. Agulhas II during the Monaco Explorations Indian Ocean 2022 mission.
Two schools had already been organized on this theme in 2014 and 2016 in Toliara, as Jamal Mahafina, Director of the Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Marines de Toliara , recalled.
For this session in the Seychelles, the school was hosted by the James Michel Blue Economy Research Institute of the University of Seychelles, whose Dean gave the introductory speech.
This was followed by an introductory speech by Mr. Xavier Prache, Director of Monaco Explorations, to set the scene for the Indian Ocean Mission.
As part of IRD‘s DIDEM (Dialogue Sciences-Décideurs) project, Explorations de Monaco provided financial support for this thematic school.
It was organized by the Institut National de Recherche pour le Développement Durable in partnership with the James Michel Blue Economy Research Institute of the University of Seychelles and the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority.
![Les participants de l'école thématique aux Seychelles. Mahé. Juin 2024©Pascale Chabanet. IRD](https://www.monacoexplorations.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/OCI_202406_P.Chabanet_Participants_ecole-thematique_Seychelles.jpeg)
A cross-functional, collaborative approach
The main objective of this school was to compare the different knowledge, representations and methods of different disciplines concerning :
- assessment of reef ecosystem resilience ;
- consideration of coral reefs as a natural heritage,
- the construction of a coral socio-ecological system.
By following an integrated approach, the ultimate aim is to make coral reef heritage a transversal element of analysis and management.
As is the case with each plut-thematic school, this session in the Seychelles provided an opportunity forexchange and transmission of theoretical and practical knowledge.
An effective, unifying tool for strengthening participants’ knowledge and skills, and building a community of coastal practitioners in the Indian Ocean islands.
Today, to achieve ecosystem resilience and restoration objectives, it is becoming necessary to combine skills and know-how, and to learn from different sectors’ expertise by combining different viewpoints and analyses.
This is the very essence of these thematic schools.
The school in pictures
The University of Seychelles, home to the DIDEM thematic school on the vulnerability of reef heritage.
June 14, 2024©Xavier Koenig
The IRD Mareco kit.
An effective awareness-raising game to assess the views of different players on the reef.
A good cohesion tool to develop exchange and collaboration between participants in the thematic school©Xavier Koenig
One of the speakers, Rodney Bonne, from the Seychelles National Park Authority, presents the research operations carried out on the reef in the Seychelles National Marine Park.
June 11, 2024©Xavier Koenig
Underwater observations of coral reefs and application of in situ monitoring methods (snorkeling) for participants in the thematic school©Xavier Koenig.
Coastal landscape. Ste-Anne Island Nature Park. The thematic school was divided between classroom presentations and field visits to meet local stakeholders ©Xavier Koenig
A themed school dedicated to exchange, sharing and conviviality.
June 2024.
Seychelles©Ahamada Djahere
Thematic School Seychelles.
Briefing before a snorkeling dive in the field by Pascale Chabanet of IRD©Ahamada Djahere