Cruise & Ferry Review - Autumn/Winter 2020

C M Y CM MY CY CMY K International Cruise&Ferry 180x117_ESE.pdf 1 04/03/20 12:23 1 6 1 The course addresses issues over three modules. Doumbia-Henry explains: “The first module deals with international/inter-agency regulation and collaboration relating to seafarers, offering a clear overview of all the core international (non-)governmental organisations involved in producing, implementing and enforcing regulations that affect seafarers’ work. Along with Beatriz Vacotto, the Head of the Maritime Unit at International Labour Organization, I personally lecture on MLC 2006 in this module.” The second module focuses on the psycho-social and occupational health issues relating to seafarers. “Issues such as fatigue, physical and mental health, and bullying and harassment are discussed from a medical and psychological perspective that provides core information to establish and develop supportive and preventative programmes onboard ships,” she says. The final module covers crew and resource management and land- based welfare relating to seafarers, and addresses the organisational aspects relating to occupational safety and health matters. Educational systems and institutions can motivate positive change to ensure continuous improvement. Doumbia- Henry says: “They are key to progress. Societal change may be brought about through legal means and market forces. However, behavioural changes resulting from these are limited in that they are externally motivated. Education on the other hand, when properly designed and implemented, has the potential to birth and nurture intrinsic motivation which brings about sustainable changes in mindset and behaviour.” “Educational systems and institutions foster critical thinking and innovative research equipping professionals with the tools to advance their knowledge and careers. Ideally, they should provide a trigger for continuous and lifelong learning and growth.” Doumbia-Henry emphasises that “optimal education will make seafarers more aware and empowered with respect to their rights. It will also make the wider community aware of human rights as a whole, the intricate workings of the shipping industry and the role of seafarers in that context, the obligations of various stakeholders under international law, and the impact on the whole global community when vulnerable, but legitimate, stakeholders are marginalised.” “The recognition of all this, and more, is why we at WMU, drawing from a rich research portfolio, keep innovating and optimising our educational offerings, in order to better serve the maritime and ocean communities and build institutional and individual capacity in those settings.” CFR