In a concerted effort to address the pressing challenges posed by climate change, The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) recently spearheaded a series of dynamic meetings and workshops, fostering the use of open-source data for managing climate risks in Zimbabwe and Kenya.
On June 4, initiated by UNU-INWEH and hosted by the Canadian Embassy in Zimbabwe, a pivotal meeting convened to acknowledge the indispensable role of women in climate risk management. H.E. Adler Aristilde, Ambassador of Canada to Zimbabwe, High Commissioner to Malawi and High Commissioner to Botswana alongside 23 esteemed participants, convened to recognize the invaluable contributions of women in environmental stewardship. This gathering marked the commencement of a promising journey towards greater efforts to increase the participation of women in decision making and in overall resilience efforts, through empowerment and capacity building activities in the region.
On June 6, in Nairobi at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), UNU-INWEH, in collaboration with The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), organized a workshop on "Data Analysis for Management of Climate Risk and Adaptation". Attended by 27 participants from diverse backgrounds, the workshop equipped attendees with essential skills to swiftly assess real-time climate risks, empowering them to enact actionable measures against the impacts of climate change. Annie Brunton Deputy Head of International Cooperation at Canada’s Embassy to Somalia, delivered welcoming remarks at the beginning of the workshop highlighting the commitment of the Government of Canada to the Feminist Foreign Policy and climate action worldwide.
Further expanding its reach, on June 10, UNU-INWEH and UTA conducted the same workshop in partnership with the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) training 26 participants as part of the School of Climate and Computers Program. The participants were welcomed by Prof. Artwel Mamvuto, Pro-Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs and Administration of UZ and Dr. C. Chavunduka, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and The Built Environment (FEBE), UZ, underscoring the university's dedication to climate education and resilience-building endeavors. The workshop was supported throughout the day by the gracious collaboration of Eng. S. Shumba, Chairperson of the Constructional and Civil Engineering Department, UZ and the Dr. W. Gumindoga, Research, Innovation, and Industrialisation Manager, FEBE, UZ.
The inauguration of the "Africa Chapter" of the School of Climate and Computers marked a significant milestone, thanks to the commitment of Dr. Adnan Rajib, UTA and Dr. Mir Matin and Sogol Jafarzadeh, UNU-INWEH already supporting a Community of Practice of more than 60 professionals, committed to advancing climate action across the continent, contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
As participants reflect on their experiences and lessons learned, the workshops stand as testament to the transformative power of collaboration and knowledge exchange. With steadfast dedication and collective action, UNU-INWEH with the support of Global Affairs Canada, continues to empower communities worldwide to confront the challenges of climate change head-on, forging a path towards a more sustainable and resilient future.
