History Heritage & Cultural Traditions

October marked the biennial meeting of the International Congress of Maritime Museums in Washington D.C. and Newport News, Virginia. This year's theme: connecting with the future. Museums are facing a crisis of identity and funding. Admissions are down, as are philanthropy, government support, and corporate sponsorships. What does it really mean to connect to the future? What might a future museum look like? Will it simply be a leaner version of its current self, or will it be completely transformed into a new virtuality?

Religious principles are frequently brought to bear on social issues, legislation, and acts of governance that impact us all. This situation often applies to environmental issues with opposition to the EPA, the clean water act, and climate change legislation, alternative energy, endangered species protection, national ocean policy, and more.

Today, June 8th, is World Ocean Day, a date designated officially by the United Nations for a worldwide celebration of the contribution of the ocean to human civilization. There are activities, films, festivals, clean up events and more from Stonington, Maine to the Seychelles Islands. What is your contribution today? What will you be doing to mark World Oceans Day?

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Peter Neill, Director of the W2O and host of World Ocean Radio, provides coverage of a broad spectrum of ocean issues from science and education to advocacy and exemplary projects. World Ocean Radio, a project of the World Ocean Observatory, is a weekly series of five minute audio essays on a wide range of ocean issues. Available for syndicated use at no cost by community radio stations worldwide.

As the year turns, we think of renewal. Many find their spiritual center through the traditions of formal religions, while for others, private thoughts and special places provide this spiritual order. In each of these, nature plays some part--oftentimes it is sacred spaces wherein we find the source and strength for the future. The ocean itself is frequently invoked as a metaphor of freedom from life's burdens and for the opportunity for the passage into the future. 

On shore or on water, fishing has not and does not appear to be a widespread occupational choice for women. Surveys found 70% disinterest based on a number of barriers. Onshore involvement revealed equally negative circumstance. The report confirmed that despite cultural and economic differences, these conclusions were true in both industrial and developing nations worldwide.