Science Summit at United Nations General Assembly 77 (UNGA77)

Mozambique Session

"Science, Technology and Innovation, Mozambique's path in recent years - challenges and achievements", Zeferino Martins, Former Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Technical Education, Former Secretary General of the CPLP, World Bank Consultant and Chairman of the Board of the NGO Osuwela

"The role of LP Science in the development of Science in the CPLP"
Susana Catita, Former Adviser Adviser Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education
Executive Director at Centro Ciência LP, under the auspices of UNESCO

"MYRE - Magezi Ya Gambo - Renewable Energy for rural community"
António Batel Anjo, Former Adviser Adviser Ministry of Education in Mozambique
Executive Director at OSUWELA
 
The work is based on an idea that Mozambique and other developing countries need a demonstrative pilot study on the use of an integrated paradigm using alternative energy and agriculture. Development requires a posture of science and technology that is proactive and dynamic in the generation of knowledge that can be made available to society. The concept consists of the creation of a dynamic ecosystem, consolidating electrification of the social and economic rural dynamics based on the use of multiple renewable energy sources combined with different technology systems, most of them already mature and available in the market, that can support rural science-based development within Mozambique to act as a catalyst for integrated and sustainable development of rural communities across similar African contexts.The research will lead to the development of an ecosystem reducing the energy gap and guaranteeing an important set of modernizations based on electrification of processes as well as on the usage of novel technologies optimizing agricultural practices through energy access. and much aligned with the international agenda.

"The AU-EU agenda and its importance for developing countries - perspectives for the coming years"
Declan Kirrame, Founder and Managing Director of ISC Intelligence in Science, the chairman and managing director of the science Summit at the United Nations General assembly, and co-founder of Medicines for Future (MAF) 

"SKA – an initiative for development”
Domingos Barbosa, Senior Researcher at Instituto de Telecomunicações - U. Aveiro  

"Examples of knowledge spin-off, interaction with industry and creation of economic value in scientific projects”
Miguel Bergano, Senior Researcher, Radioastronomer 

Enhanced South-South and North-South cooperation for Global "knowledge accumulation" is imperative, especially in the areas of Science, Technology and Innovation in order to overcome global challenges such as climate change, food and health security and inclusive adoption of digital technologies. SDG17 emphasizes upon the global community to work together. In this context, it is important to understand the cooperation possibilities for knowledge creation, sharing and accumulation amongst South-South and North-South regions to strengthen the Global Goal of making the world a better place for all. The contemporary global landscape of innovative activity encompasses geographical concentration in certain regions. There are information and knowledge asymmetries impacting the economic growth, development and welfare of the masses. With abundance power of human inquisitiveness, the technological frontiers have been continuously expanding. Over the years, technologies have improved immensely benefitting billions of people globally. Presently we are in the era of Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) with rapid adoption of robotics, artificial intelligence and Internet of things, which gives hopes to some while others fear for their survival. What are the possibilities of South-South and North-South cooperation amidst competitive interests, given the huge concentration of knowledge generating hubs in the Global North? How formal and informal ties help in knowledge spillovers? These are some broad issues that will be discussed by the speakers in the session.

In a time of shrinking resources and shifting climate, two noted field researchers and two celebrated poets ask:  In a time of high stakes, big goals, and many losses, how can science and poetry help us hold wonder and grief simultaneously?    How does conversation between artists and scientists nourish us all?  How do disparate ways we approach, research, and report on climate change affect one another? How does our work allow others to see, access, hear and feel the impact of climate change on one another and on the world around us? Together, we four discuss how our daily work practices build forms of attention and knowledge for confronting crises. How can artists work alongside scientists to interpret this moment?   How can art offer refuge for scientists? How can direct conversations between artists and scientists more broadly build models for common understanding?  Finally: what do poets and scientists have in common? How is our work similar? And how— in the face of high stakes for the planet—  might each discipline productively renew the other?

The existential threats to global energy, food and water security, increasing evidence of irreversible climate change,  the degradations in social cohesion, disruptions in global supply chains and deglobalisation, social inequality and the COVID19 pandemic, mental health dangers to undermining the basis of our material prosperity seem to be combining. The world urgently needs mission-driven teams of the world’s best minds to tackle these complex challenges, using diverse perspectives and areas of expertise. In an informal, interactive fireside chat, senior leaders from Wellcome and CIFAR will discuss models for convening and deploying top scientists from around the world to collectively address the growing number of profound questions and challenges facing science and humanity.

The existential threats to global energy, food and water security, increasing evidence of irreversible climate change,  the degradations in social cohesion, disruptions in global supply chains and deglobalisation, social inequality and the COVID19 pandemic, mental health dangers to undermining the basis of our material prosperity seem to be combining. The world urgently needs mission-driven teams of the world’s best minds to tackle these complex challenges, using diverse perspectives and areas of expertise. In an informal, interactive fireside chat, senior leaders from Wellcome and CIFAR will discuss models for convening and deploying top scientists from around the world to collectively address the growing number of profound questions and challenges facing science and humanity.

RECORDING: “The Little Island that Could”: Creating a Better Future for Okinawa Through Partnership (Japanese only)

RECORDINGS: Japan-related playlist

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Over four hundred organizations in Okinawa have partnered to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals in Japan’s southern-most prefecture — and in a region with a vulnerable economy. The Okinawa SDGs Project, sponsored by the Ryukyu Shimpo newspaper, brings together more than 70 organizations, including media, municipalities, universities, large and small businesses, and not-for-profit organizations, to work on SDGs that affect Okinawa and that Okinawans are uniquely prepared to address.

Selected as a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Natural Heritage site, Okinawa’s rich nature and biodiversity is even more notable in that it coexists on a chain of islands with a population of 1.5 million people. Additionally, the sites of Shurijo Castle and the Gusuku Group, built during the Ryukyu Dynasty prior to Japanese rule, are registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is this combination of thriving nature and rich culture that the partnership seeks to apply to the SDGs.

To create a sustainable region where nature and culture are balanced, the partnership brings together science, industry, and the understanding and cooperation of the local community. This presentation will share examples of ways Okinawans are addressing local carbon emissions, improving health, promoting employment and industry development, and improving the marine environment.

Presenters will share these initiatives in an effort to foster dialogue in Asia and the Pacific and to explore solutions to global environmental problems. All of the speakers’ activities are based on partnerships. The discussion will aim to raise awareness and motivation to achieve each of the SDG goals based on partnerships, which is unique to Okinawa, with its culture of “yuimaru” or mutual support.

NOTE: This session will be delivered in Japanese and simultaneous interpretation will be provided in English.
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「可能性を秘めた小さな島」 ：パートナーシップを通じて創る沖縄のより良い未来

日本の最南端に位置する県であり、経済的脆弱性を抱える沖縄では、国連の「持続可能な開発目標」を推進するため、県内の 400 を超える団体が連携しています。琉球新報社が主催する「OKINAWA SDGs プロジェクト」では、メディア、自治体、大学、大企業、中小企業、非営利団体など 70 以上の団体が集まり、沖縄に影響を与え、沖縄県民が独自に取り組むことができる SDGs の課題に取り組んでいます。

ユネスコ（国連教育科学文化機関）の世界自然遺産に登録されている沖縄の豊かな自然と生物多様性は、人口が150 万人にも上る島々で保たれているという点でより注目に値します。また日本統治以前の琉球王国時代に築かれた首里城とグスク等関連遺産群は、ユネスコの世界遺産に登録されています。県内の関連団体によるパートナーシップは、まさにこのような豊かな自然と文化の融合をSDGs に応用したいと考えています。

自然と文化が調和した持続可能な地域を実現するため、県内のパートナーシップは、科学、産業、地域社会の理解と協力を結集します。本講演では、沖縄県民による地域の二酸化炭素排出量に関する取り組みや、健康増進、雇用創出及び産業促進、海洋環境改善の取り組み事例を紹介します。

講演では、これらの取り組みを共有することで、アジア・太平洋地域の対話を促進し、地球規模の環境問題の解決策を探ることを目指します。 本セッションの講演者の活動は、いずれもパートナーシップを基にしています。 「ゆいまーる」の文化を持つ沖縄ならではのパートナーシップをベースに、 SDGs の各目標を達成するための意識とモチベーションを高めることを目的とした議論を行います。

講演者：
- 西田 睦　琉球大学学長（日本）
- 瀬名波 出　琉球大学工学部工学科エネルギー環境工学コース教授、起業家（日本）
- 花城 良廣　一般財団法人沖縄美ら島財団理事長（日本）
- オリガ・エリセーバ　沖縄科学技術大学大学院（OIST） アクセラレータープログラム・
スタートアップ HerLifeLab 創設者（日本）
- 島 洋子　琉球新報社編集局長 （日本）

お知らせ：このセッションは日本語で行われ、英語での同時通訳が付きます。

Recording: Allies, Advocates, and Partners Communicating Social and Environmental Issues Effectively

Recordings: Japan-related playlist

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How do we engage and inspire policy makers, the media, and our global population to understand and act on the pressing need for change on complex, pressing social and environmental issues like climate change and social inequality? How do we build trust in facts and data and inspire others to embrace discomfort and redesign our systems, societies (and comfort zones) so we can survive together? How can we tell stories that are more inspiring and engaging than fake news, are authentic, strategic, and create real impact with audiences we need to reach?

Awareness of social and environmental issues among decision-makers and the general public has escalated in recent years. It’s central to an organization’s reputation and many political platforms, pressing issues like ecosystem collapse, climate change, food and energy insecurity and social inequality threaten our collective prosperity, safety, and survival. Now is the time to make the most of opportunities to communicate effectively and engage those who can create change with facts, figures, and real solutions based on science and research. Whoever tells the best story wins—wins the attention, energy and potentially action of key audiences. The science and research community needs to get better at telling stories in order to save the world.

Leadership mentor, teacher, and sustainability expert Betsy Reed will speak on the importance of engaging allies, advocates, and partners in the community. She will be interviewed by Heather Young, vice-president of communications at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST).

There is now doubt that consulting with stakeholders shows good governance, transparency, a commitment to meaningful two-way communications, and a recognition that your stakeholders can contribute to future changed, which directly or indirectly affect them. Why don’t so many people engage in this way? How can this work be done in a meaningful way—and, also, in a practical way?

Using allies, advocates, and partners can help us build reputation and legitimacy, keep us accountable, and ensure we’re not creating risk by greenwashing or purpose-washing. They can also engage stakeholders we would never be able to reach on our own, add perspective that enriches our overall understanding of uses and subsequent communications approach, add capacity, and create more of a buzz by presenting and unusual or unexpected alliance.

JOIN ONLINE SESSION


This event will take place at Flanders House New York and participation is possible in person and online. In person participation requires a separate registration, which is accessible by completing the form above.

Introduction: background, policy dimension & rationale of the Session

The African Union (AU) – European Union (EU) Innovation Agenda is a joint ongoing effort aiming to translate research & innovation (R&I) endeavours into tangible businesses, services and jobs in Africa and in Europe. It is a flagship initiative of the EU “Global Gateway Africa – Europe Investment Package” that was announced at the 6th EU-AU Summit in February 2022, providing an outline of actions to be taken in partnership with Africa to “boost smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport and strengthen health, education and research systems”.
For it to deliver the envisaged positive impact on the ground, the work of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda will involve all stakeholders of the innovation landscape, including not only R&I and higher education institutions but also private businesses such as start-ups, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and large corporations. This Agenda proposes specific objectives with short-, medium- and long-term actions for all four priority areas of the AU-EU cooperation in STI, namely (i) Public Health, (ii) Green Transition, and (iii) Innovation and Technology and (iv) Capacities for Science.

Following a positive reception of the working document of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda at a Senior Official Meeting of the AU-EU High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD) on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in January 2022, the work of the Innovation Agenda was also acknowledged in the final declaration of the 6th EU-AU Summit: A Joint Vision for 2030.

To ensure that this Agenda will be as pertinent as possible to societal issues, the year 2022 is dedicated to a stakeholder consultation process, which aims to gather feedback and input from citizens and organisations on the working document of this Innovation Agenda.

As part of this continued stakeholder dialogue, the European Commission wishes to propose a dedicated session within the Science Summit that will take place along the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 77, to be co-organised with the African Union Commission, fostering the participation of several international organisations from the International Development/Cooperation and Financing sector, as per the objectives outlined below.

Objectives of the Session:

• To raise awareness on the AU-EU Innovation Agenda (i.e. policy background, rationale, objectives and foreseen actions) especially among International Development/Cooperation and Financing organisations, which will be expected to provide their viewpoint on the work of the Agenda;
• Accordingly, to benefit from the feedback of International Development/Cooperation and Financing institutions on the objectives and actions foreseen by the working document of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda;
  
• To trigger a durable, forward-looking, result-oriented dialogue with Development/Cooperation and Financing actors, aiming to engage them, on a case-by-case basis, in the work of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda by identifying possible synergies between their existing and prospective programmes and foreseen actions of the Innovation Agenda.

Draft Programme (More speakers will be added as they are confirmed):

1. Welcoming words by Mr John Baekelmans (Technology Counsellor, Flanders House New York & Flanders Investment & Trade) and by the Session Moderator, Dr Florent Bernard (EU Science Counsellor to the USA)

2. Opening address by Ms Maria Cristina Russo (European Commission, DG Research & Innovation)

3. Section 1: The AU-EU Innovation Agenda
by Mr Lukovi Seke (AUDA-NEPAD) & Dr Vincenzo Lorusso (European Commission, DG Research & Innovation)

4. Section 2: Mapping of Projects from the AU-EU R&I Partnership on Food and Nutrition Security and
Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA), by Dr Vincenzo Lorusso (European Commission, DG Research & Innovation)

5. Section 3: Roundtable with Development Banks, International Cooperation and Financial Institutions. Confirmed contributions by:
- Dr Taffere Tesfachew (UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries);
- Ms Brennan Van Dyke (UNEP);
- Dr Ismahane Elouafi (UN FAO);
- Mr Owen Shumba (UNDP)
- Dr Martha Phiri (African Development Bank);
- Mr Bunmi Adekore (Breakthrough Energy);
...And other organisations to be confirmed shortly.

6. Questions & Answers

7. Closing remarks by Ms Maria Cristina Russo (European Commission, DG Research & Innovation)

Biodiversity plays a critical role for human health and well-being, economic prosperity, food safety and security, and other important areas necessary for the individual and collective wellness of all human societies.


Conservationists, political leaders, civil society, the business community, indigenous peoples and local communities, youth and other key stakeholders, are all called to safeguard life on earth with dramatically increased and coordinated action. Today, more than ever, it is clear that reversing biodiversity loss requires action and collective efforts from all segments of society.


This event will be the opening for a series of sessions to be held in the framework of the Global Biodiversity Day within the Science Summit UNGA77. This panel will feature a lively discussion on the status of some specific standards and frameworks developed to provide tools and inform actions, policies and decisions to reverse the biodiversity loss globally. Topics such as Nature-based solutions, ecological restoration, the Sustainable Use Assessment of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework will serve to guide the discussion on where we are in the context of these instruments and tools, what are their main contributions and the challenges we are still facing in terms of biodiversity loss.


We will have an exceptional pool of experts composed of: Jon Paul Rodriguez, Chair, IUCN Species Survival Commission (Moderator); Ángela Andrade, Chair, IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management; Sonia Peña Moreno, Director of the International Policy Centre at IUCN; Gabriela Lichtenstein, IUCN SSC Regional Vice-Chair for South and Mesoamerica and Researcher at National Research Council (CONICET), Argentina and Robin Chazdon, Member of FAO Task Force on Best Practices for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and Research Professor, University of the Sunshine Coast.

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) – A household name in CARICOM
21st September, 2022
10:00am -12:00 pm
 
Abstract
This session will provide participants with an understanding of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), how it came into existence 10 years ago to present, its functions and mandate.
One of the core programmes at CARPHA that impacts citizens the and visitor populations alike is the Regional Tourism and Health programme. Participants will receive an overview of how this programme has evolved and is now one of the pillars of the COVID-19 response in this Tourism-dependent economic space.
CARPHA provided COVID-19 support to its Member States in several ways. This included facilitating an intricate level of coordination while providing guidance to its Member States. The rates of infection and death remained low when compared to other global regions, therefore, a moderated panel will discuss all of the issues, successes and lessons learnt and applied in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic in CARICOM.
The link between Climate change and health is not often made, neither is the relevance easily identified. The presenters will show the linkages, impacts and what is being done in the region to mitigate the impactof climate change on health.
Agenda
10:00 am – 10:15 am Overview of CARPHA
Dr. Joy St. John Executive Director - CARPHA
10:15 am – 10:45 am Regional Tourism and health Programme
Dr. Lisa Indar Director, Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control - CARPHA
10:45 am – 11:30 am Moderated Panel discussion “CARPHA’s COVID-19 Response”
Moderator:
Ms. Carlon Kirton: Communications Manager - CARPHA
Panelists:
Dr. Joy St. John Executive Director - CARPHA
Dr Lisa Indar Director, Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control - CARPHA
Dr. Sastee Kissoondan: Technical Officer, Office of the Director- Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control
11:30 am – 12:00pm Climate Change and Health
Dr. Kim Newton-James: Officer-in-Charge: Technical Officer, Chemicals and Solid Waste Management - Environmental Health and Sustainable Development Department - CARPHA
Dr. Horace Cox: Head, Vector Borne Disease Programme – CARPHA

Our inquiry of focus is how might we improve collaboration in action?

In our current context and ongoing pursuit to advance SDG 4 Quality Education together, how is collaboration defined? How are collaboration skills developed? How is technology enabling and disabling our collaboration goals and aspirations? In this session, we gather to review the global competencies, often categorized as the ‘6Cs’ for sustainable development, and specifically, the skill and practice of collaboration.

Facilitated by the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto, this session includes a Moderated Virtual Roundtable where we are joined by researchers, practitioners, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts to share their perspectives on skills and opportunities for collaboration improvement followed by our 10-Minute Motivator Series where colleagues from across the globe provide brief insights into various innovative methods and partnerships for collaboration.

The IUCN Red list of Ecosystems (RLE) is the global standard for assessing the conservation status of ecosystems, applicable at local, national, regional and global levels. It allows us to identify which ecosystems are most at risk and raise awareness about the main threats they face and the resulting impacts on human well-being, as well as to demonstrate how improved ecosystem management can reduce risks, enhance resilience, and promote adaptation.

Since its adoption as the standard in 2014, over 4,000 ecosystems have been assessed around the world. Latin America has been one of the leading regions in its application; a diversity of ecosystems has been assessed from corals reefs to cloud forests to coastal dunes in this megadiverse part of the world. These assessments have captured both data rich and data scarce ecosystems, and have been conducted in a variety of institutional settings and geographic scales.

In this session, a panel of Latin American experts will discuss progress so far of ecosystems risk assessments and the main lessons learned from the diversity in approaches applied, with strong emphasis on the opportunities and challenges for the application of RLE to inform the post 2020 biodiversity framework and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The session will start with an introductory video by Emily Nicholson, co-lead of the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems thematic group in CEM and will be moderated by Marcos Valderrabano, Programme Manager of the Red List of Ecosystems. This session will be in Spanish.

Join us to learn more about the RLE, real cases, and its applications to address some of the most urgent challenges our world is facing!

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Assessment Report on the Sustainable Use of Wild Species has been carried out over four years by 85 leading experts from the natural and social sciences, as well as 200 contributing authors, drawing on more than 6,200 sources. The results were validated in workshops with holders of indigenous and local knowledge from across the world. The summary of this interesting report was approved last July by representatives of the 139 member states of IPBES in Bonn, Germany.

The report offers insights, analysis and tools to establish more sustainable use of wild species of plants, animals, fungi and algae around the world. Among its results, it shows that billions of people, in developed and developing nations, benefit daily from the use of wild species for food, energy, materials, medicine, recreation, inspiration and many other vital contributions to human well-being. The accelerating global biodiversity crisis, with a million species of plants and animals facing extinction, threatens these contributions to people. Measures to support and enhance sustainable use of wild species, and to ensure sustainable use in the future, will make direct contributions to meeting many of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Latin America is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. The cultural diversity of indigenous peoples and local communities provides a wealth of knowledge, languages, traditions, worldviews and practices. This session aims to discuss the main results of the Sustainable Use Assessment for biodiversity conservation and indigenous communities, with special focus on Latin America. Dr. Marla Emery, one of the co-chairs of the Assessment will present the main findings of the report for the region and the implementation of SDGs. This will be followed by short presentations by Lead Authors of the report and a country focal point that will discuss the implications of the report for different ecosystems and countries as well as its potential impact on national public policies and international conservation negotiations.

This session will be in Spanish.

Media Release: IPBES Sustainable Use Assessment

Our inquiry of focus is how might we transform teaching and learning environments to bring science to society? 

As an enabler of SDG education and advancement, inquiry-based teaching and learning adopts an investigative approach where learners can investigate a problem, search for possible solutions, make observations, ask questions, test out ideas, and think creatively and use their intuition. In this session, we gather to consider opportunities that integrate inquiry-based teaching and learning to transform learning environments, build educator capacity and empower youth in ‘bringing science to society’.

Facilitated by the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto, this session includes a Moderated Virtual Roundtable where we are joined by researchers, practitioners, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts to share their perspectives on teaching and learning beyond the classroom followed by our 10-Minute Motivator Series where colleagues from across the globe provide brief insights into various innovative methods and approaches to inquiry-based teaching and learning across the lifespan.
 

Science Summit at United Nations General Assembly - UNGA77 13-30 September 2022
Theme: Climate Adaptation 

Title: A call for high-quality, harmonized, reliable, and comparable climate-related data with standardized guidance to boost investor confidence and generate financial investment flows to Africa.

Click here to join the session:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82742072198 

Inclusive scientific-data collaborations through education and training workshops, seminars, and conferences between developed and developing countries to address skill gaps on the issue of collecting, analyzing, and reporting high-quality, harmonized, reliable, and comparable statistics on climate-related data is critical but is a challenge as the harmonization of existing data is a work-in-progress. Therefore, to boost investor confidence and enable long-term climate finance investment flows for green finance, there is a need for more inclusive science-based training workshops to keep track of rapid changes to applied practices and methodological approaches in GHG emissions accounting. The rapid deployment of methodologies for monitoring and reporting climate-related data for climate risks and for scaling up green finance has revealed capacity gaps between developing and developed countries. These skill gaps need to be addressed. The universal effort to address this issue has primarily focused on the high-income countries that account for over 80% of global emissions with little attention to developing countries. At present, Africa only contributes 4% of global CO2 emissions. However, Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to become the most populous of the eight geographical regions of the world increasing energy demand: increasing their wealth through GDP growth and increasing inter-trade. For example, in 2019, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement came into effect, creating the largest free trade market in the world. Africa’s current emissions are projected to increase from 4% to 8% by 2050. At the highest end of the analysis, 20% of CO2 emissions by the end of the century. The purpose of this session is to facilitate a dialogue on initiating a road-map for inclusive scientific-data collaborations between financial, scientific institutions, academia, and industry in developed and developing countries (governments, banks, companies, and civil society) on the issue of harmonized, climate-related data with standardized guidance as the critical component to enable forward-looking data assessments on climate-related risk to mobilize long-term capital for green and low-carbon investments.

Why is it so important to harmonize climate-related data? 
It is important to harmonize climate-related data to boost investor confidence, enable forward-looking data, and enable the mobilization of funds to Africa to address climate change. After another year of life-threatening temperatures and extreme weather disasters, wealthy developed countries are under pressure to make good on their promise to mobilize US$100 billion a year to help poorer countries deal with climate change. A new report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, released on Feb. 28, 2022, provides more evidence of what billions of people are facing: Developing countries that have contributed the least to climate change are suffering the most from it, and the damage is escalating. Coastal areas in Africa are losing land to rising seas. Flooding from extreme storms is wiping out people’s livelihoods. Heat waves are harming people who have no access to cooling, killing crops, and affecting marine life communities rely on. It is unclear how much impact the climate finance already flowing to these countries, estimated at $79.6 billion in 2019, is having. There is an overwhelming lack of climate-related data, as well as evidence that countries have been supporting projects that could harm the climate with money they count as “climate finance.” Actions by European countries also include the development of Climate Smart Cities to reduce emissions as well as the global financial community working together to harmonize climate-related data.

Question to be addressed: -

SESSION 1: FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS 

 (a) Does the African Development Bank use harmonized metrics and methodologies in their quarterly and annual reporting? Is there potential for other banks in Africa to do the same, if so what would be the policy approach? Is the harmonization of climate-related data critical to increasing climate finance data in Arica?

(b) What is the timeline for the harmonization of climate-related data in Nigeria? What policy approach would you recommend for implementing this agenda? 

(c) What role does KPMG Africa play in the harmonization of climate-related data in Africa and what policy approaches do you think are required to improve climate-data harmonization across Africa?

(d) The economy of Mauritius is a mixed developing economy based on agriculture, exports, financial services, and tourism. With a particular focus on tourism - how is the harmonization of climate-related data in the hotel and tourism industry achieved - and what are your thoughts on the harmonization of such data?

(e) What role could data assurance play (data audit) in governing the harmonization of climate-related data?

 
POLICY IMPLEMENTATION
 We discuss what policy approaches/models could be implemented to address the current challenges in integrating harmonized GHG emissions accounting and climate-related indicators agreed by the IFI,
Including artificial intelligence and machine learning.


   

RECORDING: Valuing Value: How any Organization Can Measure Stakeholder Value and “Ethical Capitalism”

RECORDINGS: Japan-related playlist

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What is a “good” company, and how can it create the highest possible value for itself and each of its stakeholders?

Until today, higher profits and shareholder value continue to serve as a measure for what a “good” company is and does, but the hidden impacts that this focus has had on other stakeholders has become impossible to ignore. Because of this, a new way of seeing, measuring and managing a business’s impacts on its various stakeholders is becoming increasingly important. As of yet, there is no clear, objective and transparent way to do this consistently, comprehensively and equitably across businesses, industries and markets.

The Value Research Center (VRC) at Doshisha University (Kyoto, Japan) has synthesized more than 20 of the world’s top ESG and sustainability reporting frameworks into a model that can be used by any business to understand and manage its impacts on its shareholders, employees, customers, partners, society, and the planet, and to use this new understanding to create forward-focused strategies that will increase the value created for all of them.

This session will begin with a presentation by Prof. Philip Sugai, Director of the Value Research Center, who will introduce the Value Model, its philosophical foundations in Japanese business, and how it can used to both develop practical regulatory oversight as well as forward-thinking, value-focused business strategies.

Then Prof. Sugai will hold a “fireside chat” together with Prof. Toshiya Hoshino, Director, ESG Integration Research and Education Center, Osaka University and moderated by Prof. Haruko Satoh from the Osaka School of International Public Policy at Osaka University to explore value, ESG and sustainability issues, and Japan’s unique contributions to these issues.

Then a wider panel of experts including Jin Montesano, Chief Public Affairs and People Officer, Executive Officer and Senior Managing Director at LIXIL; Masato Yamazaki, Professor Emeritus of Economics, Aquinas College; Trista Bridges, Author of Leading Sustainably; Yoshie Sugai, Founder of Nenshin Ryu Budo, Chiseikan Dojo; and Kumar Iyer, Sustainability Strategist will dig more deeply into the essence of value, Japan’s historical and current efforts to align this history with the current challenges addressed by the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and how business can continue to drive real and measurable achievement of these in a just and equitable way.

NOTE: This session will be delivered in English and Japan with simultaneous interpretation.
お知らせ：このセッションは英語と日本語で行われ、日英同時通訳が付きます。

RECORDING: ROZ: Supporting Scientific Careers through Inclusivity, Interactivity, and Internationalism

RECORDINGS: Japan-related playlist

***

Many influences, codes, and customs shape science as a profession. These are often implicit, and seldom visible to the beginner. As in other highly competitive employment sectors, scientific careers are forged at an early stage. The sooner early-career scientists learn these codes and customs, the better their chances for successful research careers.

Rosalind Franklin Forum for Female Scientists (Open to All) (“ROZ”) is a website bringing together many thousands of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, assistant professors, senior scientists and researchers, and policy makers in a worldwide conversation. There, longtime practitioners offer young colleagues what textbooks cannot: concrete career counsel, given with immediacy, candor, wit, and compassion in a public assembly accessible to all.

Today, two-thirds of female undergraduates worldwide avoid science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) studies. The number of women that do enter these fields becomes progressively smaller in a phenomenon known as the leaky pipeline. Internationally, just over 20% of scientists and engineers are women. It is patent folly to thwart the scientific intelligence, imagination, abilities, and goodwill of more than half of humankind. Along with others still alarmingly underrepresented in science, women can and do succeed in the halls of discovery.

Along with OIST president Peter Gruss and assistant professor Paola Laurino, this session will engage participants and viewers in career questions and answers such as: “At the start of my career, am I better off seeking collaborations, avoiding them in the name of independence, or placing myself somewhere on a continuum between the two?” “How can I learn to formulate more imaginative, insightful research questions?” and “What precautions will protect my group should funding run low or out; should my strength and leadership fail; or other catastrophes befall us?”

This event will take place in New York. 

The role of the modern university, Mobilizing Academia Toward Excellence for the Greater Good
 
How can higher education institutions deepen their connections with their communities to not only elevate knowledge and understanding but to actually impact the lives of those communities, not at the expense of the pursuit of excellence or the sacrifice of standards, but by exhibiting the agility required to remain relevant in an age of great uncertainty, volatility, and adversity?
In What Universities owe Democracy, Ron Daniels, the President of Johns Hopkins, argues that, at a moment when liberal democracy is endangered, challenged as it is by the more efficient oligarchies. It is critical for universities to reestablish their place in safeguarding democracy. Overcoming fear of the other, disseminating knowledge, and finding common ground for Universal values are all vital roles of the University, as much as discovering and helping apply new knowledge. And yet, in all contexts, we need to conceptualize the civic components of the university (and of university education) in relation to questions around political responsibilities and contexts.
"Society is on a blind date with Science, and the date is going badly." Alan Alda, who has devoted his energy to improving science communication, spoke these words over a decade ago at a scientific conference. By all measures, the "date" has turned into an all-out war, fueled by the erosion of the social contract between universities and society and the seemingly infinite set of outlets aimed at spreading misinformation about science and academia. The average person is practically overwhelmed, and the community at large is at a loss as to how to close this gap.
This conversation explores how universities can negotiate the complexities of seeking to direct the extraordinary knowledge resources they hold towards the public good while maintaining commitments to academic excellence. These tensions are a significant part of a modern university, and they do not always sit in easy equilibrium when there are other issues of public concern about cost, access, research mission, etc.

JOIN ONLINE SESSIon

How can higher education institutions deepen their connections with their communities to not only elevate knowledge and understanding but to actually impact the lives of those communities, not at the expense of the pursuit of excellence or the sacrifice of standards, but by exhibiting the agility required to remain relevant in an age of great uncertainty, volatility, and adversity?
In What Universities owe Democracy, Ron Daniels, the President of Johns Hopkins, argues that, at a moment when liberal democracy is endangered, challenged as it is by the more efficient oligarchies. It is critical for universities to reestablish their place in safeguarding democracy. Overcoming fear of the other, disseminating knowledge, and finding common ground for Universal values are all vital roles of the University, as much as discovering and helping apply new knowledge. And yet, in all contexts, we need to conceptualize the civic components of the university (and of university education) in relation to questions around political responsibilities and contexts.
"Society is on a blind date with Science, and the date is going badly." Alan Alda, who has devoted his energy to improving science communication, spoke these words over a decade ago at a scientific conference. By all measures, the "date" has turned into an all-out war, fueled by the erosion of the social contract between universities and society and the seemingly infinite set of outlets aimed at spreading misinformation about science and academia. The average person is practically overwhelmed, and the community at large is at a loss as to how to close this gap.
This conversation explores how universities can negotiate the complexities of seeking to direct the extraordinary knowledge resources they hold towards the public good while maintaining commitments to academic excellence. These tensions are a significant part of a modern university, and they do not always sit in easy equilibrium when there are other issues of public concern about cost, access, research mission, etc.

JOIN ONLINE SESSION
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81148957998


Science Summit at United Nations General Assembly - UNGA77 13-30 September 2022
Theme: Climate Adaptation 

The private sector and civil societies in Africa requires high-quality, harmonized, reliable, and comparable climate-related data with standardized guidance to boost investor confidence and generate financial investment flows to Africa.

Click here to attend: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81148957998 

Inclusive scientific-data collaborations through education and training workshops, seminars, and conferences between developed and developing countries to address skill gaps on the issue of collecting, analyzing, and reporting high-quality, harmonized, reliable, and comparable statistics on climate-related data is critical but is a challenge as the harmonization of existing data is a work-in-progress. Therefore, to boost investor confidence and enable long-term climate finance investment flows for green finance, there is a need for more inclusive science-based training workshops to keep track of rapid changes to applied practices and methodological approaches in GHG emissions accounting. The rapid deployment of methodologies for monitoring and reporting climate-related data for climate risks and for the scaling up of green finance has revealed capacity gaps between developing and developed countries. These skill gaps need to be addressed. The universal effort to address this issue has primarily focused on the high-income countries that account for over 80% of global emissions with little attention to developing countries. At present, Africa only contributes 4% of global CO2 emissions. However, Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to become the most populous of the eight geographical regions of the world increasing energy demand; increasing their wealth through GDP growth, and increasing inter-trade. For example, in 2019, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement came into effect, creating the largest free trade market in the world. Africa’s current emissions are projected to increase from 4% to 8% by 2050. At the highest end of the analysis, 20% of CO2 emissions by the end of the century. The purpose of this session is to facilitate a dialogue on initiating a road-map for inclusive scientific-data collaborations between financial, scientific institutions, academia, and industry in developed and developing countries (governments, banks, companies, and civil society) on the issue of high-quality, harmonized, reliable and comparable on climate-related data with standardized guidance as the critical component to enable forward-looking data assessments on climate-related risk to mobilize long-term capital for green and low-carbon investments.

Why is it so important to harmonize climate-related data? 
It is important to harmonize climate-related data to boost investor confidence, enable forward-looking data, and enable the mobilization of funds to Africa to address climate change. After another year of life-threatening temperatures and extreme weather disasters, wealthy developed countries are under pressure to make good on their promise to mobilize US$100 billion a year to help poorer countries deal with climate change. A new report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, released on Feb. 28, 2022, provides more evidence of what billions of people are facing: Developing countries that have contributed the least to climate change are suffering the most from it, and the damage is escalating. Coastal areas in Africa are losing land to rising seas. Flooding from extreme storms is wiping out people’s livelihoods. Heat waves are harming people who have no access to cooling, killing crops, and affecting marine life communities rely on. It is unclear how much impact the climate finance already flowing to these countries, estimated at $79.6 billion in 2019, is having. There is an overwhelming lack of climate-related data, as well as evidence that countries have been supporting projects that could harm the climate with money they count as “climate finance.” Actions by European countries also include the development of Climate Smart Cities to reduce emissions as well as the global financial community working together to harmonize climate-related data.

QUESTIONS TO BE ADDRESSED: -

SESSION 2: PRIVATE SECTOR/ AGENCIES' 

(a) Destination Earth (DestinE): An introduction to a new initiative by the European Union to track complex environmental challenges and gather harmonized data.

(b) E-mobility firms racing to NET Zero in Kenya - how do these firms harmonize climate-related data?

(b) GHG emissions data in the construction industry in New York - lessons for Africa.

(c) GHG emissions data and Food waste in Agribusiness - a discussion of approaches.

 
POLICY IMPLEMENTATION

We discuss what is the way forward – (policy).
-Data standards
-Data quality
-Data Assurance and Audits
- AI as a policy approach
 


   

RECORDING: Decolonizing Science and Moving to Inclusive Science

RECORDINGS: Japan-related playlist

***

This event will take place in New York and participation is possible in person and online. 

In person participation requires a separate registration, which is available above.

Keynote: Thilina Heenatigala (9:00 am EDT / 1:00 pm UTC)
Discussion: Thilina Heenatigala, Tana Joseph (10:00 am EDT / 2:00 pm UTC)

Colonial scientific practices are embedded in current scientific research, policy, education, and outreach. It is therefore necessary to acknowledge and undo colonial structures and processes and change practices and mindsets within science and scientific communities. A keynote presentation and subsequent panel will address colonial scientific practices, the negative scientific developments that are caused by them, and how to move towards an inclusive science system, globally.

Colonial scientific practices can be found at multiple levels in science systems. For example, large scientific structures are built in indigenous lands without ethical policy discussions, there are large discrepancies between local and international salaries for the same research positions, and end-users of data that are produced by structures in the Global South are found mostly in the Global North. In general, academia is still largely based on 17th century European social structures.

The effects of colonial efforts that exist around the world were somewhat highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. When scientists from the Global North and western world struggled with travelling for field work, the system had to rely on local expertise for collaborations. This was visible far beyond the sciences and goes into other fields as well, showing that colonial practices are still at work today. There is an urgent need to redesign the system in order to advance the sciences in an inclusive way.

These are local and global issues that are urgent and need to be addresses today. By acknowledging, addressing the issues, making awareness, and finally undoing the colonial structure from science system is the way towards an inclusive science environment. Progressing from colonial science to inclusive science is at global interest for better industry and innovation practices, reducing inequalities in science academia and education, improving the core curriculum by including incorporating native and local knowledge for higher-quality education.

The Argentine Species Survival Center is an alliance between the Species Survival Commission of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN SSC) and Fundación Temaikèn. Its mission is to promote biodiversity conservation strategies in Argentina and Latin America, by connecting key actors to strengthen local and regional capacities and promote the evaluation, planning and implementation of conservation actions in the region to achieve the goal of Reverse the Red. One of the main objectives of the CSS-ARG is to identify species conservation priorities in Argentina and Latin America through the use of consistent and globally recognized tools. Among the prioritized lines of work of the Center, it has been established to position the ex-situ conservation strategy in accordance with the IUCN 2021-2025 guidelines. One of the first steps was to bring together more than 50 specialists from 22 NGO organizations, zoos, universities, and government agencies to assess the relevance of ex-situ conservation strategies for threatened species in Argentina, identify needs, and outline future actions. This space made it possible to establish a consensus on the need to give continuity and revalue the contribution to ex-situ conservation as part of an integral approach that is essential to carry out efficient actions for the conservation of species in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The promotion of intersectoral and multidisciplinary participation meetings with government agencies and other civil society organizations has also been prioritized, and the creation of a technical construction platform to identify needs and future ex situ actions for these species. There are emblematic success stories in the world and more and more efforts in the region to be able to share many of these significant steps for the conservation of species. These cases also serve as inputs to establish recommendations that allow establishing sustainable and replicable policies.

The UNESCO recommendation for continuous assessment of the impact of AI technologies to be carried out across a range of dimensions, such as the UN SDGs, informs the creation of the panel purposed to share their evidence, experiences and concerns regarding AI implementation in the context of human rights implications, anticipatory & adaptive governance, responsible innovation and youth engagement and participation, in minority groups and overlooked communities typically found in the Global South. The aim is to develop a more in-depth understanding of how some of the UN SDGs, which are most relevant in the Global South, can be achieved through the application of responsible AI.

The panel seeks to uncover opportunities for bidirectional and trans-disciplinary exchanges between industry, government, academia and civil society that prioritises lay input. Public participation is essential for desirable and sustainable socio-technological futures. To achieve this ideal, the panel advances the use of the Quadruple Helix Model to develop and launch a science and AI collaboration by demonstrating its mechanisms and activities, thereby achieving sustainability objectives.

The QH-Model offers the most viable public-participatory approach to enabling policy, regulatory and financial environments that are needed to implement and sustain the science mechanisms required to support genuinely global scientific collaborations across continents, nations and themes.
With its focus on societal actors and individual laypersons, the quadruple helix model provides optimised delivery of scientific benefit that is more welcoming and sustainable, particularly as concerns the impact that AI will have on society.

The QH-Model enables the facilitation of at least two public engagement approaches:
1. Living Labs approach incorporating QH-actors (people’s) ideas, experiences and knowledge that
promote ethics-by-design in AI technology
2. Service design that improves the acceptability and desirability for responsible AI that delivers
societal benefit.

RECORDING: The Trust Landscape in Japan and Implications for SDGs

RECORDINGS: Japan-related playlist

***

Trust is the ultimate currency in the relationship that all institutions — companies and brands, governments, NGOs, and media — build with their stakeholders. Trust defines an organization’s license to operate, lead, and succeed. Trust is the foundation that allows an organization to take responsible risk, and, if it makes mistakes, to rebound from them. Without trust, credibility is lost and reputation can be threatened.

The annual Edelman Trust Barometer surveys 33,000 people around the world about their trust in four key societal institutions — business, government, media, and NGOs. Every year, it learns how much people around the world trust their institutions, and about their fears and concerns for the future.

Edelman Japan President and CEO Meghan Barstow presents highlights from Edelman’s Trust Barometer 2022 research highlighting Japan and contrasting it with the rest of the world.

Areas covered will be trust in institutions, leaders, media, democracy, capitalism. Societal issues touched on will include climate change, economic inequality, systemic injustice, and access to healthcare.

Following the presentation, Meghan Barstow will chat with thought leaders Tove Kinooka, Vanessa Ohshima, and Takanobu Luke Date on the implications of the data to the future of the SDGs and Japan.

NOTE: This session will be delivered in English and simultaneous interpretation will be provided in Japanese.
お知らせ：このセッションは英語で行われ、日本語の同時通訳が付きます。

Science Summit at United Nations General Assembly - UNGA77 13-30 September 2022
Theme: Climate Adaptation 

CITIES:  A call for high-quality, harmonized, reliable, and comparable climate-related data with standardized guidance to reduce emissions in cities.

Click here to join: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82664496959

Inclusive scientific-data collaborations through education and training workshops, seminars, and conferences between developed and developing countries to address skill gaps on the issue of collecting, analyzing, and reporting high-quality, harmonized, reliable, and comparable information on climate-related data is critical but is a challenge as the harmonization of existing data is a work-in-progress. Therefore, to boost investor confidence and enable long-term climate finance investment flows for green finance, there is a need for more inclusive science-based training workshops to keep track of rapid changes to applied practices and methodological approaches in GHG emissions accounting. The rapid deployment of methodologies for monitoring and reporting climate-related data for climate risks and for scaling up green finance has revealed capacity gaps between developing and developed countries. These skill gaps need to be addressed. The universal effort to address this issue has primarily focused on the high-income countries that account for over 80% of global emissions with little attention to developing countries. At present, Africa only contributes 4% of global CO2 emissions. However, Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to become the most populous of the eight geographical regions of the world increasing energy demand: increasing their wealth through GDP growth and increasing inter-trade. For example, in 2019, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement came into effect, creating the largest free trade market in the world. Africa’s current emissions are projected to increase from 4% to 8% by 2050. At the highest end of the analysis, 20% of CO2 emissions by the end of the century. The purpose of this session is to facilitate a dialogue on initiating a road-map for inclusive scientific-data collaborations between financial, scientific institutions, academia, and industry in developed and developing countries (governments, banks, companies, and civil society) on the issue of high-quality, harmonized, reliable and comparable on climate-related data with standardized guidance as the critical component to enable forward-looking data assessments on climate-related risk to mobilize long-term capital for green and low-carbon investments.

Why is it so important to harmonize climate-related data? 
It is important to harmonize climate-related data to boost investor confidence, enable forward-looking data, and enable the mobilization of funds to Africa to address climate change. After another year of life-threatening temperatures and extreme weather disasters, wealthy developed countries are under pressure to make good on their promise to mobilize US$100 billion a year to help poorer countries deal with climate change. A new report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, released on Feb. 28, 2022, provides more evidence of what billions of people are facing: Developing countries that have contributed the least to climate change are suffering the most from it, and the damage is escalating. Coastal areas in Africa are losing land to rising seas. Flooding from extreme storms is wiping out people’s livelihoods. Heat waves are harming people who have no access to cooling, killing crops, and affecting marine life communities rely on. It is unclear how much impact the climate finance already flowing to these countries, estimated at $79.6 billion in 2019, is having. There is an overwhelming lack of climate-related data. There is also evidence of countries supporting projects that can harm the climate with money they count as “climate finance.” Actions by European countries also include the development of Climate Smart Cities to reduce emissions as well as the global financial community working together to harmonize climate-related data.

Question to be addressed: -

SESSION 2: CITIES
(a) What is the potential for Positive Energy Districts replication in African cities?
(b) What is the potential of AI, transport, and GHG emissions: evidence from Brussels?
(c) Cities in Africa - what is the potential for NET Zero?

 
POLICY IMPLEMENTATION

We discuss what is the way forward for policy. 
- Data standards
- Data quality
- Data Assurance and Audits


   

Water is essential to people and the planet, and it is central to life processes. In South America, like worldwide, there are numerous water conflicts, related to scarcity (quantity and quality), floods, access to drinking water, among others. These socioenvironmental conflicts, which involve social, political and economic actors, are a consequence of multiple factors, including those related to economic and political interest, social inequalities, climate, land use, and water management. Water conflicts in South America tend to be more frequent as some trends, like the commodities production and the privatization of water and sanitation services, accentuate. This session will focus on existing water conflicts in five South American countries, analyzing their consequences on water management (public and/or private) and water access of vulnerable and other social groups. In addition to presentations of cutting-edge research, the panelists will engage in a rich dialogue to discuss the implications and potential contributions of their findings.

Language is a key medium for communication; we need language to make sense of our world.  The role of language in the SDG framework is often in reference to three of the sustainable development goals: SDG 4 specifically calls upon the need for multilingualism to achieve quality, equitable and inclusive education; SDG 8 connects language, skills, and sustainable economic growth and SDG 16 that references communication, peace, and justice.  
 
In this session, we gather to gain insight into how education research, education systems leaders, and empowered youth are informing educators' capability and capacity in language learning while also enabling inclusive teaching and learning environments through their language learning insights and experience. 

Facilitated by the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto, this session includes a Moderated Virtual Roundtable where we are joined by researchers, practitioners, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts to share their perspectives on language and equity followed by our 10-Minute Motivator Series where colleagues from across the globe provide brief insights into various innovative methods and approaches to language and learning. 

El panel aborda los objetivos de desarrollo sustentable a través de investigaciones realizadas en países de sudamerica.
Se plantean las tensiones existentes entre los objetivos económicos de producción y consumo, con problemas sociales, como la equidad de género, o ambientales como el enfrentamiento a las consecuencias del cambio climático.
Se describen casos de abordaje de los desafíos vinculados al cambio climático, como la sequía o la influencia del clima en la agricultura familiar, mediante acciones cooperativas entre instituciones académicas, organismos gubernamentales y entidades de la sociedad civil.
En ambos casos se plantean problemáticas interdisciplinarias en la cooperación científica y problemáticas vinculadas con la apropiación social del conocimiento generado.
Por otra parte la mirada de equidad de género atraviesa las diferentes formas de conocimiento, generando una óptica innovadora en los abordajes científicos indisciplinarios.
La gran complejidad de estos desafíos plantea la necesidad de establecer relaciones académicas y científicas estables entre universidades o centros de investigación entre países de la región.
The panel addresses the objectives of sustainable development through research carried out in South American countries.


The existing tensions, between the economic objectives of production and consumption versus social problems, such as gender equity, or environmental problems such as confronting the consequences of climate change are raised.
Challenges linked to climate change, such as drought impact or the consequences of climate change on family farming, are described and how these issues are adressed through cooperative actions between academic institutions, government agencies and civil society entities.
In both cases, there is a need to perform interdisciplinary scientific cooperation and social appropriation of the generated knowledge.
On the other hand, the perspective of gender equity crosses the different forms of knowledge, generating an innovative perspective in interdisciplinary scientific approaches.
These complexities show that there is a need to establish stable academic and scientific relations between universities or research centers between countries in the region.

Date: September 29, 2022
Time: 9:00AM-5:00PM
Host: Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations
In-person Address: 885 Second Avenue, 21st Floor, New York, NY 10017
Virtual Zoom Address: https://msu.zoom.us/j/91934148834

Using Assistive Technology to Promote Social Inclusion for People with Disability through Collaboration and Partnership between Africa, America, Asia and Europe

One billion people, or 15% of the world’s population, experience forms of disabilities. Among those, one-fifth of the estimated global total, or between 110 million and 190 million people, experience significant disabilities. Disability prevalence is even higher in developing countries and those with disabilities are more likely to experience adverse socioeconomic outcomes such as less education, poorer health and employment outcomes, and higher poverty rates.

The European Commission’s European Disability Strategy 2010-2020 identified social exclusion as one of the grand challenges that people with disabilities in Europe are facing. People with disabilities are the most disadvantaged in society exacerbating many inequity issues. For instance, people with disabilities may have limited access to basic education, which can largely reduce their chances to obtain meaningful and gainful employment as adults. Globally, the employment rates of people with disabilities are significantly lower than their peers without disabilities. In addition to the socio-economic implications, social exclusion impacts negatively on self-esteem, mental health and quality of life. Thus, social inclusion is an important element of well-being for people with disabilities and a key component of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Research has highlighted that social inclusion can be promoted through access to education and employment.

Research has also demonstrated that assistive technology (AT) can be a meaningful way to improve access to education, employment, independence and community participation among people with disabilities. AT, include both high-end and low-end devices, equipment and systems, apps and other products. While AT can be useful in improving the life of people with disabilities, the World Health Organization have identified that only 10% of the population in need of AT products have access to them.

While AT provision varies across countries, the intent to support people with disabilities should be a global priority with a focus on removing barriers and providing facilitators to independent living, community participation, and transition from education to employment settings. The rapid pace of technological advancement can leave behind the most vulnerable in society especially those with disabilities. There are low rates of AT adoption by service providers, educators, employers and policymakers as well as high rates of AT abandonment. Building global capacity for AT provision and applications will provide a unique opportunity to support independence and inclusion for people with disabilities through the use of AT.

In collaboration with different stakeholders, we will highlight the critical role of partnerships across different continents, including Africa, America, Asia and Europe in increasing social inclusion and improving lives for people with disabilities. Through a series of presentations, representatives from various continents and countries will discuss the challenges faced by people with disabilities in accessing education and employment and how this leads to social exclusion. We will discuss the importance of AT in bridging the gap between social exclusion and inclusion. We will discuss the importance of a science-based approach as research findings will be presented that will demonstrate how evidence-based educational and employment programs can improve inclusion for people with disability worldwide. We will also discuss an EU COST Action (CA19104), entitled, Advancing Social Inclusion through Technology and Empowerment (a-STEP) which is an interdisciplinary, intersectoral pan EU network of researchers, service providers and people with disability. a-STEP seeks to improve access to education and employment for people with disability through AT.

9:00-10:00am: Keynote Speaker

• Marcia J. Scherer, Founding President, Institute for Matching Person & Technology | Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Rochester Medical Center

10:00-10:20am: Break

10:20-10:50am: Social Inclusion in Education Setting for Individuals with Disabilities
Geraldine Leader, Associate Professor, University of Galway | Director, Irish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research

11:00-12:30pm: Panel of 3-4 presentations on topic around social inclusion in education setting (20-30 mins per presentation) – Presenters include representatives from US, Europe, Africa, Asia – a combination of researchers, practitioners, policymakers

• African rep: Binta Koita, Representative of Université des Lettres et des Sciences Humaines de Bamako; Ambumulire N. Itimu Phiri, Acting Chief Executive Officer for the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) in Malawi
• American rep: Sheryl Burgstahler, Founder and Director, DO-IT Center and UW Access Technology Center
• Asian rep: Cynthia Lai, Associate Professor of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• European rep: Rahma Sophia Rachdi, Correspondent- Head of Bureau, United States Press Agency

12:30-2:00pm: Roundtable discussion over lunch

2:00-2:30pm: Social Inclusion in Employment Setting for Individuals with Disabilities
Connie Sung, Associate Professor, Michigan State University | Co-Director, MSU Center for Services, Research and Training for Independence and Desired Employment

2:40-4:10pm: Panel of 3-4 presentations on topic around social inclusion in employment setting (20-30 mins per presentation) – Presenters include representatives from US, Europe, Africa, Asia – a combination of researchers, practitioners, policymakers

• African rep: Christiana Okyere, Senior Research Associate, McMaster University; Boitumelo Mangope, Senior Lecturer, University of Botswana
• American rep: Jo Sinha, CEO, Peckham, Inc; Laurie Penfold, Customer Service Representative, Peckham, Inc.
• Asian rep: June Chen, Associate Professor, Deputy Director of Department, East China Normal University
• European rep: Evert-Jan Hoogerwerf, Head of Sector Assistive Technology of AIAS Bologna, SG of AAATE and GAATO

4:10-4:30pm: Closing remark

For questions, please contact Administrative Assistant, Shannon Aydukovic, via email (aydukov3@msu.edu) or phone (+1-517-432-9101).

Session title:  Brazilian R&D contributions to innovation in food systems 
Convener: Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation – Embrapa
September 29th, 9:30am-11am (EDT)/10:30-12am (BRT)
Moderator: Daniela Biaggioni Lopes; Researcher, Strategic Planning/Strategy Office; Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa). daniela.lopes@embrapa.br; linkedin.com/in/daniela-biaggioni-lopes/

The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) is an innovation-driven public company that focuses on the generation of knowledge and technology for Brazilian agriculture. Embrapa was established in 1973 by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA) to develop the technological foundation for a tropical model of agriculture and animal farming (www.embrapa.br/en/sobre-a-embrapa). The initiative has been tasked with providing Brazil with food security and a leading position in the international market for food, fiber and energy.
Embrapa is one of the largest public research institutions in the tropical world, with 8,042 employees working in 43 research centers, located in strategic Brazilian areas and in the administrative units, at the headquarters, in Brasília. Embrapa connects a national agricultural research network in partnership with universities and research institutes, private companies, foundations and civil society. It maintains an international network of collaboration with 127 institutions in 47 countries, and an international program for scientific and technical cooperation (Embrapa-Labex). Based on the economic impacts and social gains of a sample of technological solutions, the social profit returned by the Corporation to Brazilian society in 2021 was calculated to be around US$ 16 billion. (www.embrapa.br/en/balanco-social-2021).
The integrated perspective of the SDGs is guiding Embrapa´s effort of internalization of the 2030 Agenda, considering the centrality of agriculture, food security and the impacts of climate change. Embrapa generates knowledge, technologies and policy advisory that contribute to the productive inclusion of farmers, to the conservation of biodiversity, rational use of biotic and abiotic resources, as well as the resilience of communities and biomes in face of climate change. Thus, the challenges and opportunities built in the 2030 Agenda speak directly to Embrapa´s mission. In 2021, 156 technologies were aligned with 131 SDGs targets, contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. Embrapa received, in June 2022, the FAO Champion Award, the UN agency’s highest corporate award, that recognizes significant and outstanding contributions towards advancing FAO’s overall goals, including the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
This session is designed for sharing and discussing information on scientific advances and technological innovation for sustainable food systems, using the 2030 Agenda framework. All four speakers are Embrapa´s researchers.
Internalization of the 2030 Agenda in Embrapa (Daniela Biaggioni Lopes, moderator): Embrapa´s network for the SDGs (Rede ODS Embrapa) structure, goals and results will be presented as an institutional innovation.
Speaker 1 – Vinicius Benites: Innovation for optimal use of nutrients in brazilian agriculture. Technological advances to ensure suficient food through optimal use of nutrients (alternative fertilizers, use of residues, biofertilizers, biotechnology) will be presented (SDGs 2, 8, 12)
Speaker 2 - Alineaurea Silva: Social innovation and sustainable agriculture. Examples of research methodology that promotes food security in a sustainable and inclusive way will be discussed. In this aspect, the consolidation of collaborative networks takes on a proeminent role in applied and dynamic research that recognizes local potential to address food security, generating solutions to different geoenvironments, anchored in active and strengthened partnerships. (SDGs 1, 2, 5, 6, 15)
Speaker 3 - Fabíola Fogaça : Innovation for food. Examples of research that focus on food safety, health, adding value to food, new products from non-animal sources and good practices to reduce losses and waste (SDGs 2, 3, 12).

Question and Answers (15 min)

Iwokrama: A people centered approach to conservation
 
Iwokrama is one of five protected areas located in Guyana, South America. Locally grounded but also an international partnership of over 30 years between the Government of Guyana and the Commonwealth has seen unique governance systems evolve to manage the one million acres of intact tropical rainforest, that also has international forest certification.
 
The presentation will discuss our efforts of conservation that incorporates sustainable use of resources with collaborative management being a core aspect of creating models for research, business development, community development, capacity building and more.

                            BackgroundThe Andes cordillera runs near the west coast of South America from Venezuela (∼10°N) to the southern tip of the continent (∼53°S), thus encompassing a rich variety of mountain climates and ecosystems, from very humid conditions near the equator and over western Patagonia to the hyper arid conditions in the subtropics. Consistent with its continuity and height, the Andes also produces strong contrasting climate conditions along the eastern and western slopes and adjacent lowlands.
The Andes is a narrow, nearly two-dimensional mountain range, with the exception of a portion between 15°-22°S where it splits into two mountain ranges holding the South American Altiplano, a closed, high level (4000 m ASL) plateau. Likewise, the Andes splits in three branches to the north of the equator, with major rivers draining into the Caribbean Sea.
The Andes provides ecosystem services, starting with the provision of fresh water to nearly 80 million people in seven countries (Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina), and at the same time sets the stage for the occurrence of disasters from hydrometeorological extreme events which periodically take a high toll in human and animal lives and, infrastructure and agriculture losses.

                            ANDEX RationaleIn recent years, scientific research in the Andes dealing with our understanding of interactions between hydrological, meteorological and atmospheric processes, has made interesting progress. In addition, the technological advances have allowed for improving hydrometeorological forecasting and climate prediction. In spite of these developments a comprehensive understanding of the Andean hydroclimate is still lacking, which is partly due  to a deficient hydrometeorological monitoring network along the cordiller. While such integrative vision of basic hydroclimatic processes and climate variability is crucial to face the urgent challenges brought about by anthropogenic climate change as well as land use change and deforestation along the Andes. 
ANDEX is a proposed GEWEX Regional Hydroclimate Project (RHP) aiming at understanding, modelling and predicting the dynamics of the water and energy cycles over the Andes cordillera, at a wide range of temporal and spatial scales, and their linkages with the surrounding oceans, land surface and major river basins. ANDEX will tackle a variety of research questions within the interests of the Andean countries and GEWEX’s major goals. Moreover, the agenda ANDEX proposes will further the scientific development in South America through: (i) fostering regional cooperation among researchers and research programs, (ii) establishing a focused research agenda on fundamental issues of the Andes region main interests, (iii) creating the scientific framework to help decision making processes for the sustainable development of a highly environmentally and biogeophysically threatened region, (iv) connecting the Andean region with global and regional initiatives.

ThemesANDEX aims to understand, model, and predict the dynamics of the water and energy cycles over the Andes cordillera, which run from 10ºN to 53ºS and cross Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. More than 60 million inhabitants rely directly on the water resources provided by the Andes. At the same time they are also exposed to a suite of natural hazards imposed by such impressive geography and climate, ranging from very humid conditions near the equator and western Patagonia to the hyper arid conditions in the subtropics. The Andes also face enormous challenges from human encroachment, urbanization, climate variability, climate change, land use changes, and massive deforestation.
On the previous basis, we have identified four science themes and two cross-cutting themes

• Climate patterns and drivers
• Climate and environmental (LULC) changes
• High impact events
• Andean cryosphere