The ecoRoute project proudly participated in IKUWA 8, the 8th International Congress for Underwater Archaeology, held in Oostende (Belgium) from 13 to 17 October 2025. This eighth world congress on underwater archaeology was organized under the central theme “Telling the Exciting Tales of Our Past.”
Four hundred researchers, policymakers, and heritage managers from 50 countries gathered at De Grote Post to explore the richness of the “blue heritage.” The congress was co-organized by IKUWA, the Flanders Heritage Agency, the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), Erfgoed Vlaanderen, Agence Wallonne du Patrimoine, Ghent University, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, VisitFlanders, the Province of West Flanders, and the City of Ostend. It was supported by the Port of Ostend, DRASSM (France), and RCE (Netherlands). IKUWA 8 is recognized as an official action within the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
This international event provided a valuable opportunity to examine the complex relationship between humans and the ocean, highlighting the importance of understanding our shared maritime past to protect the future of marine environments. Through the study of underwater and coastal cultural heritage, researchers accessed humanity’s collective memory, unveiling insights into sea-level fluctuations, climate change, and the evolving socio-cultural ties that connect communities to the sea.
By integrating Underwater Cultural Heritage into broader discussions on ocean sustainability, IKUWA 8 strengthened the emotional and cultural connection with the marine world, demonstrating how heritage can inspire a more sustainable relationship with our oceans.
On 16 October, during the session “Unlocking Potential, Preserving the Environment – Contributions of Underwater Cultural Heritage to Engage Smart and Sustainable Tourism,” our partner Patrícia Carvalho from Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (NOVA) presented the ecoRoute project, sharing its main objectives, activities, and progress.
ecoRoute’s participation in IKUWA 8 showcased the project’s commitment to encouraging dialogue and collaboration between research, culture, and sustainability bridging innovation, heritage, and environmental awareness.
