NMEA @ IPMEN 2025

NMEA members attended the 2025 International Pacific Marine Educators Network (IPMEN) conference April 13–17 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. A celebration of 20 years of the network, the conference showcased innovative approaches to marine education worldwide and provided a platform to develop and strengthen international partnerships.

Hosted in the heart of southern Taiwan with the theme, “TEK Perspective to Ocean Literacy Dialog – Voices from Asia-Pacific,” the conference brought together a diverse group of marine educators, Indigenous leaders, researchers, and students from across the Pacific and beyond. The week-long program featured keynote speeches, interactive workshops, and immersive cultural experiences, each reinforcing the vital role of Indigenous knowledge in shaping sustainable futures for our oceans.

Highlights of the week included a meeting with Minister Kuan of Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council, where NMEA representatives, alongside marine educators from across the Pacific, discussed opportunities for collaboration in advancing marine education; and the signing of the Takao Declaration. This declaration represents a collective commitment to promoting Ocean Literacy, with a special emphasis on traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and inclusive and culturally-informed marine education. 

The IPMEN 2025 Conference did more than just inform—it inspired. It set a new benchmark for how conferences can empower local voices while fostering international collaboration. As attendees departed Kaohsiung, they carried with them not just knowledge, but a renewed sense of responsibility to weave Indigenous wisdom into the fabric of marine education worldwide.

A special thanks to Ray Yen, the IPMEN Conference Committee, and conference sponsors including the National Academy of Marine Research and National Sun Yat-sen University for their warm hospitality and organizational excellence. We look forward to reconnecting at the next IPMEN conference in 2027 in Hawaiʻi!

For more information about IPMEN and news about upcoming events, please visit https://ipmen.net/.