The slogan of the academy is “the oceans from every angle”. Dedicated to promoting and sharing maritime expertise and raising awareness about ocean-related environmental issues, the institute, created in 2023, aims to enhance society’s understanding of marine ecosystems and encourage sustainable practices.
As Laurent Anselmi, President of the A2M recalls, “the sea has been a part of the Principality’s DNA since its inception”. The Grimaldi family led maritime expeditions in the Mediterranean and as far as the Black Sea as early as the 13th century. Centuries later, Prince Albert I, a founding father of oceanography, led scientific and environmental missions to the Arctic. This tradition has been continued by Princes Rainier III and Albert II. “I have a close and personal relationship with the sea,” the Sovereign, who is honorary President of the academy, wrote in his book “Man and the Ocean”.
As a platform for education and dialogue, A2M seeks to “inspire future generations to advocate for the oceans and be ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow in protecting this precious and vital environment”. Interdisciplinary teaching is provided by scientific, economic, geopolitical and environmental experts. The two-week course includes fundamental concepts, including a review of the state of the seas and oceans; international and geopolitical relations and an overview of contemporary maritime law, as well as round tables and conferences on themes such as port cooperation and maritime transport.
Programmes are taught exclusively in French. A founding member state of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), the Principality has always defended and promoted the French language as a means of transmitting humanist knowledge.
The Académie de la Mer is open to the entire French-speaking world and makes no distinction between borders or continents. In addition to its founding members (The Yacht Club of Monaco, the Monaco Port Authority and the Monaco Chamber of Shipping), the many partners of A2M include institutes in French-speaking countries (Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas in France and Université du Québec in Rimouski, Canada) and international organisations like the International Atomic Energy Agency).
Training at the Académie de la mer is unique and provides certification designed to facilitate access to a career in ocean- and sea-related service professions. In 2024, 40 students from around the world graduated as part of the Institute’s first graduating class –– the ‘Prince Rainier III class’.
