Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOP) Dutch Node

The Netherlands is home to a diverse ocean science community. The ECOP Netherlands Node aims to foster a motivated and inclusive community of Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) coming from the Netherlands (including the Caribbean and Europe) or situated in the Netherlands (addressed as the Dutch ECOPs).

Vision

Our vision is to create an inclusive and collaborative network that amplifies the voices and contributions of ECOPs in the Netherlands. By bridging the gap between different generations of ocean professionals, we aim to enhance ocean sustainability and stewardship, contributing to the global effort for supporting the ocean and highlighting its importance.

Mission

Our mission is to empower ECOPs in the Netherlands by providing opportunities for networking, professional development, and collaboration across various sectors. We strive to promote horizontal communication where every opinion matters and encourage intergenerational collaboration with experienced ocean scientists, NGOs, industry and academia.

Some important highlights include: 

  • Building an Inclusive Space with Horizontal Communication: Maintain aninclusive space that celebrates diverse backgrounds and experiences, ensuring everyone feels valued and heard, while fostering a culture of horizontal communication where the opinions of all ECOPs are valued, promoting a better cross-collaboration between all different areas of the Netherlands, between the node and other organizations. 
  • Networking: Facilitate communication and collaboration within the Dutch ECOP node and more to support projects and initiatives.
  • Intergenerational Collaboration: Encourage collaboration between ECOPs and older generations of ocean professionals from different working backgrounds.
  • Public Engagement: Create opportunities for collaboration on topics where ocean science can reach and engage the general population.
  • Support and Growth: Support each other and leverage the opportunities presented by the UN Decade of Ocean Science.

By working together, we aim to elevate the role of Dutch ECOPs in National and global dialogue on ocean sustainability, ensuring their voices and ideas contribute to the health and future of our oceans, and thus also contribute to the global network of ECOPs.