The University of the Basque Country – Université de Bordeaux summer course focussed on “the ocean as a source of risk”, examining the dilemmas and challenges of water quality and plastic pollution, as well as the security challenges (prevention, intervention, healthcare) posed by water-sports and other leisure activities along the Euskadi-Aquitania coast.

An interdisciplinary approach was used to identify challenges and to engage stakeholders, studies, projects and initiatives that propose solutions from a cross-border territorial development approach.

Learning-from-experience models were used to set up active learning spaces, showcases, workshops and visits to facilities with the aim of promoting synergies between sectors and stakeholders. Students from both universities generously helped with outreach for the event.

Objectives:

• To examine the dilemmas and challenges of the ocean as a source of risk focussing on plastic pollution, as well as the security challenges posed by coastal activities.
• To leverage emerging knowledge and innovations in investigating, preventing and managing said risk.
• To promote and connect cross-border projects, initiatives and capacities involved in research, training, innovation and entrepreneurship in the field in question.
• To help define ambitious challenges that will allow us to mobilise the cross-border knowledge and innovation community around the sustainable management of the risks.
• To help position the territory as a centre of excellence in these fields, building synergies across the network of cross-border stakeholders (university, industry, officialdom, associations, etc.).