The Cassandra Conference has highlighted the role of local communities in driving innovation and the development of technologies to help mitigate the impacts of climate change and its links to health, migration, gender equity and potential conflicts.
The third edition of the conference, which brought together over two days leading voices in science and technology with policymakers and representatives of civil society – including institutions such as the United Nations (UN) and The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) – showcased the experiences of the Local Climate Forums promoted by Cassandra in 38 countries across the Mediterranean region, Africa, India and the Middle East.
These forums support the collaborative work of local and cultural stakeholders, research institutions, technology centres and universities, with the aim of responding to local challenges related to climate change.
The Cassandra Conference also stressed the need to recognise the reality of climate refugees and to take action in response to displacement caused by climate-related disasters and environmental degradation, which could affect one billion people by 2050, according to the World Economic Forum.
On the second day, within the framework of a dialogue co-organised by Eurecat and the Club de Madrid – considered the world’s leading forum of former presidents and prime ministers – the Ambassador-at-Large for Water Diplomacy of the Republic of Slovenia, Tanja Miškova, highlighted the importance of gender equity in addressing climate change challenges.
“Women must be included in decision-making on water management, as they provide valuable contributions on social and environmental aspects that complement the more technical perspectives often brought forward by men. Without them, decisions may not be comprehensive and may even be flawed,” emphasised Tanja Miškova.
The round table discussion, focused on the intersection between climate change, water governance and gender equity, also featured the perspectives of former Prime Minister of Tunisia Mehdi Jomaa; former Minister of the Environment of Morocco and Co-President of the Paris Agreement, Dr Hakima El Haité; and Eurecat’s Head of Political Relations, Richard Elelman.
In Africa, as pointed out by the CEO of the Northern Kenya movement, Riptoya Kanano Elema, “Kenyans are struggling to survive, and water lies at the heart of this issue. We need political commitment because this is not only a local problem; it is also a global one.”
The Cassandra Conference “has highlighted the need for scientists and technologists to play a vital role in promoting sustainable change, particularly by driving technological development at a community level,” stressed Richard Elelman.
During the conference, organised by the technology centre Eurecat, the Cassandra programme – supported by more than 300 supranational institutions, NGOs, universities and research centres – announced its expansion in India and to new territories in South-East Asia and the American continent.
