START-IRA/UDSM Education and Training Program and Externship Assessments

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Eustacia Townsend
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1 START-IRA/UDSM Education and Training Program and Externship Assessments presented in the stakeholder dialogue in climate change, conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services James Lyimo, Institute of Resource Assessment, University of Dar es Salaam

change, conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services

2 Background u Multiple pressures threaten the rich biodiversity in the Albertine rift. including fragmentation of habitat, pollution and deforestation, u Climate change (CC) is adding to and interacting with these and other pressures, which threaten biodiversity u There is low institutional capacity in most African countries to deal with biodiversity conservation in a changing climate. Ø Inadequate knowledge about CC and its impacts on biodiversity may hinder effectiveness of different conservation strategies in a changing climate.

other pressures, which threaten biodiversity u There is low institutional capacity in most African countries to deal with

3 Background cont. u Hence training program to build African capacity for conserving biodiversity in a changing climate u The major focus for the program was the Albertine Rift which is immensely rich in biodiversity, including many species of indigenous fauna and flora u The program developed and implemented by IRA/UDSM and International START Secretariat, with funding from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

major focus for the program was the Albertine Rift which is immensely rich in biodiversity, including many

4 Objectives of the Training Program u Educate and train early to mid-career conservation researchers, practitioners and educators to enable them to make substantive contributions to the challenge of climate change and biodiversity conservation u To equip professionals with innovative knowledge, skills and values in biodiversity conservation in a changing climate

to the challenge of climate change and biodiversity conservation u To equip professionals

5 Program development u Baseline assessment u Curriculum Development u Program Implementation u Execution of externship research projects

6 Baseline assessment u A review of key literature and an examination of current policies and programs undertaken. u 8 Albertine Rift institutions were consulted. TAWIRI, TAFORI, UDSM, SUA, Makerere and Mbarara Univ., Kigali and Rwanda universities u The assessment identified significant gaps in capacity and knowledge about the combined risks of climatic and non-climatic stressors to ecosystems and biodiversity. u Very few conservation initiatives accounting for climate related risks were currently found to exist.

, Kigali and Rwanda universities u The assessment identified significant gaps in capacity and knowledge about the combined risks

7 Curriculum Development u An intensive 6-week Masters level program for conservation professionals was developed with a focus on: - Climate Change Risks to Ecosystems and biodiversity - Conservation strategies in a changing climate - A one-week field excursion was also included u More than 40 academic experts were consulted during the course design process and their feedback incorporated into the final product. u A strong interest in the program was displayed by the African conservation community with more than 200 applications.

also included u More than 40 academic experts were consulted during the course design process and their feedback incorporated into

8 Program Implementation u Program implemented in two years u In conservation professionals from the Albertine Rift region were trained, (Tanzania 6, Uganda 6, Rwanda 2, Burundi 2, DR Congo 4) u In participants were trained including 10 university educators - (Tanzania 8, Uganda 6, Rwanda 5, Burundi 4, DR Congo 6)

6, Uganda 6, Rwanda 2, Burundi 2, DR Congo 4) u In 2010-29 participants were

9 Accomplishments u Training was offered in theoretical coursework, case study exercises and field visits supplemented by an externship project. u Participants accorded a consistently high rating to the program in terms of overall quality and applicability of contents, materials and activities to their conservation work.

u Participants accorded a consistently high rating to the program in terms of

10 Accomplishments cont.. u Participants agreed that the program had made a significant contribution to their capacity in understanding climate change risks to biodiversity and ability to adapt conservation strategies to address such risks. u Participants expect to see significant benefits to their conservation careers.

their capacity in understanding climate change risks to biodiversity and

11 Participant externships u In 2008 program 17 participant externships were successfully executed at various Albertine Rift locations under the guidance of local mentors. u In 2010 program 19 participants externships implemented in 5 teams were successfully completed u A range of climatic and non-climatic stressors were examined from the perspective of adapting conservation strategies and sustaining ecosystem goods and services

u In 2010 program 19 participants externships implemented in 5 teams were successfully completed u A range

12 Participant externships cont.. u Externship research projects with scientifically significant outcomes will be considered for possible journal publication u The overall externship experience was well received by participants and supervisors in terms of building skills, and research experience u Also reinforcing networking among institutions and individuals working on biodiversity conservation and climate change in the region.

journal publication u The overall externship experience was well received by participants and supervisors

13 Future plans u Options are being explored to expand the effort in the form of distance learning modules and implementation in other Albertine Rift and African institutions. -This is based on the high demand for participation as well as participant recommendations for an expansion of the program to reach larger numbers of conservation professionals.

-This is based on the high demand for participation as well as participant

14 Future plans cont.. u Continue with efforts to engage policy and decision makers in future endeavors u Achievements from the current effort will be widely disseminated in the form of, - brochures highlighting project achievements - compact discs containing educational material from the project such as curriculum, power point lectures and participant research information.

Achievements from the current effort will be widely disseminated in the form of, - brochures

15 THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

Climate Change University Curriculum Development Meeting Entebbe, Uganda

Climate Change University Curriculum Development Meeting Entebbe, Uganda Friday 25 th / Saturday 26 th November 2011 Host: The Rockefeller Foundation supported project under the Climate Smart for Rural