Why We Exist:
The Universal Sea Movement was born out of a deep concern for our oceans. Our oceans are vital to life on Earth, yet they face unprecedented challenges. Our mission is to accelerate the creation of positive blue futures for our oceans through collaboration, innovation, and public engagement.
Our Purpose:
At The Universal Sea, we unite a powerful interdisciplinary network of innovators, change-makers, and the public to tackle these challenges head-on. Initiated and led by the Institute for Art and Innovation (IFAI Berlin), a not-for-profit think and do tank based in Berlin, we specialize in integrating social sciences and humanities (SSH) to drive purpose-driven interventions at the intersection of art, science, and technology. IFAI catalyzes regenerative transformations by combining knowledge and creativity, aiming to inspire sustainable practices that protect and restore our oceans.
Driving solutions to maritime Anthropocene challenges, we explore interdisciplinary collaboration models in partnership with the public. Since 2024, we have been part of the UN Ocean Decade Programme and the German Committee network of the UN Ocean Decade and actively participate in the working group for Education, Culture, and Society. We are also contributing to the development of the framework for Blue Schools, aiming to integrate ocean literacy into educational systems.
Our Goals:
Our goal is to connect and empower individuals and organizations by providing innovative strategies, enriching ideation and research, fostering co-creation, and promoting knowledge exchange. We strive to create tangible results that contribute to a sustainable future for our seas and oceans.
Our History:
The Universal Sea was initially launched as an EU co-funded project (2017 – 2019). During this time, it brought together more than 1,000 artists and innovators and collaborated with 70 project partners to tackle local environmental challenges, with a particular focus on the plastic epidemic in our waters. This collaborative effort harnessed the power of creativity and innovation to address one of the most pressing issues facing our oceans today. The impact of our work was recognized internationally, leading to our invitation to present The Universal Sea project at SXSW 2022, the biggest futures festival in Austin, Texas.
Our Initiatives
Ocean Future Lab
Ocean Future School Lab
Sustainable Coastal Futures
Institute for Art and Innovation: The Universal Sea is a key initiative and all related projects of the Institute for Art and Innovation (IFAI Berlin). As a not-for-profit think and do tank, IFAI specializes in the integration of social sciences and humanities to drive change at the intersection of art, science, and technology. IFAI’s mission is to facilitate purpose-driven interventions that not only enrich ideation and research but also foster co-creation and deliver tangible results for regenerative futures.
Tune in to Our Podcast: Explore the latest discussions on the Blue Economy and sustainable ocean practices through our podcast. We bring together experts, innovators, and thought leaders to explore the challenges and opportunities facing our oceans today. Tune in to gain insights and inspiration as we delve into topics that matter most for our oceans’ future.