http://en.ird.fr/all-the-current-events/(view_mode)/rss fr http://en.ird.fr/all-the-current-events/events/symposium/selper-2012 Fri, 09 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0100 SELPER invites remote sensing experts from Latin America to meet and discuss the role of earth observation in global environmental governance and the green economy at the SELPER 2012 symposium. Earth observation plays a key role in redefining goals of an effective global governance of the environment by providing essential information on a fast changing world. The SELPER 2012 symposium objective is to highlight Latin American remote sensing work in the area of setting and monitoring new policy targets for global environmental governance, eradication of poverty, and the green economy. At a historical moment when global crises impact finance, food security, migration, energy, water, biodiversity, desertification, natural disasters, globalization, health, climate, and poverty, Earth observation is playing an increasing role in delivering key information on the status and dynamics of the environment to scientists and policy makers. Please click HERE to download the Selper2012 Brochure (PDF Format – 600 Ko) http://en.ird.fr/all-the-current-events/news/press-releases/the-2nd-pace-net-pacific-european-network-conference Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0200 The Pacific - A region of innovative people with a high natural resource potential - facing global and climate challenges: PACE-Net Conference strengthens research, development and innovation partnership between Europe & the Pacific. The Pacific is too important for Europe and the world to be left out. This was one of the main conclusions of the PACE-Net Conference held in Brussels, from March 20th to 23rd 2012. PACE-Net stands for “Pacific-European Network” ( http://www.pacenet.eu/), three-year cooperation project between the two regions and is financially supported by the European Commission. This PACE-Net conference brought together more than a hundred senior researchers and officials from Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Island States such as Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Tuvalu, Kiribati, French Polynesia, and New Caledonia. The Pacific islands are the home to more than 10 Mio. people who live on some of the approximately 20.000 individual islands varying from large countries such as PNG (460.000 km2) to small ones such Tuvalu (26 km2). Prof. Teatulohi Matainaho, University of Papua New Guinea, pointed out that his country by itself contains over 5 % of the world's biodiversity in less than 1 % of the world's total land area. It boasts, for example 3,000 species of orchids, 800 species of coral, 600 species of fish, 250 species of mammals, 760 species of birds, and 8 species of tree-kangaroos. Similar wealth of coral, tuna fish, or unique agricultural products such as giant swamp taro (rich in calcium), are found throughout islands such as Samoa, Nauru or Tonga. Large deposits of nobel metals are available in PNG and New Caledonia and just recently rare-earth elements and the metal yttrium—which are crucial for green-energy technologies were found in the deep seafloor sediments of the South-Pacific. Pacific Island peoples have been sustainably using many of the region’s resources for centuries and have adapted themselves to changing environmental, societal and economic conditions by innovating new resource management strategies. Still, much of the Pacific’s natural resource diversity and richness - especially in the sea - is not yet known. All of this – both humans and nature - is under threat . Ongoing climate change may have impacts on regional climate phenomena such as El Nino which – as Patrick De Dekker, Professor of Earth Sciences at the Australian National University pointed out – may cause extreme weather conditions such as floods and droughts. Climate change and rising sea levels may make entire islands uninhabitable, cause coral bleaching and rising water temperatures. Marine pollution, over-fishing, and exploitation of the remaining tropical forests are rapidly reducing existing bio-diversity, while rapid urbanization and changing cultural habits are also leading to the loss of precious traditional, for example medical, knowledge. These processes in some cases may even threaten to people to leave their home country, their natural resources, resulting in the loss of identity and culture. In their dialogue with the scientists, representatives of the European Commission (EC) such as Dr. Laurent Bochereau, head of Unit in the Directorate General for Research and Innovation as well as Mr. Ranieri Sabatucci, head of Division in the European External Action Service (EEAS), emphasized therefore the need for still creating more awareness on the importance to Europe of the South Pacific. These issues were central to the PACE-NET conference, organized by the International Bureau of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (IB-BMBF) together with the other PACE-Net partners, the EC –especially Mr. Armand Beuf (PACE-Net project officer)-, LISODE (a French company [1]), and the Ministry of Sciences and Economic Affairs of Saxony–Anhalt. Dr. Gerd Rücker (IB-BMBF), the conference coordinator, highlighted: “For the first time this conference brought together a critical mass of Pacific key stakeholders to meet European counterparts in the field of research, development and innovation in a structured dialogue towards a common goal”. Crucial high-level representatives participated in the conference from regional and national organisations in the Pacific ( USP [2], SPC [3], SPREP [4], NARI [5], UPNG [6], IRD [7], Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agriculture Development of Kiribati, Tuvalu National Private Sector Organisation, Australian ( ANU [8]) and New Zealand ( MSI [9]) research and policy organisations, as well as and European research, development, innovation policy and investment sectors ( EC, EEAS, EIB [10], UNESCO [11], UNIDO [12], IB-BMBF). As input to the conference, high-level representatives from the EEAS, EIB, EC DG DEVCO [13], UNIDO, UNESCO, USP, SPREP, CTA [14] as well as from Germany, presented their organisations in detail along with options for strengthening the Pacific-European collaboration in research, development and innovation. Central to the event was two days of interactive workshops relating to 1) water, 2) agriculture & forestry, 3) natural hazards, 4) fisheries and 5) mid-term research, development and innovation policies. Each workshop developed integrated research, development and innovation framework drafts for equitable Pacific–EU partnerships. These drafts address the sectors and cross-cutting theme from their significance for both the EU and the Pacific, existing and required policies, a strategic needs assessment for research, development, and innovation, as well as the required actions and corresponding funding strategies. On the final day, the framework drafts, presentations and feedback from the high-level panel were discussed with the workshop participants. Prof. Claude Payri, coordinator of the PACE-Net project was delighted with the interactive nature of the event which helped to integrate the contributions of all involved: “We have seen a lively debate between the high-level panel and the workshop participants. They managed to identify some links between knowledge gaps and available funding opportunities in order to bridge future policy and investments decision making with research, development and innovation actions.” During 2012, these collaboration frameworks will be further developed to policy brief white papers by the thematic and cross-sectoral work groups and policy and investment representatives from the ACP-Pacific countries [15], OCTs [16], EU, UN, Australia and New Zealand. The frameworks will be consolidated at the PACE-Net 3rd bi-regional key stakeholder conference in Suva, Fiji, in March 2013. This conference will be organized by the Pacific partner (USP) of the PACE-Net consortium with support of all other PACE-Net partners. While many open questions remain from Brussels with regard to how best support and influence changes in the South Pacific, three clear ideas became prominent during the conference dialogues and will be taken into account for the third conference in Suva, Fiji in 2013: The importance of involving policy makers in a science-policy dialogue as much and as early as possible because these are the people who set the framework conditions; The importance of interdisciplinary research in an equitable partnership that acknowledges local and indigenous knowledge systems – while engaging with communities, scientists, innovators, development partners & policy makers; Involving organisations – whether relating to funding, development and innovation - in the dialogue as they play a crucial role both for sponsoring the research, but also in the implementation of research results. Given the complexity of actors and issues, the clear need for the development of a Pacific Science Technology and Innovation (STI) policy framework emerged during the discussion. Such a framework would facilitate the Pacific’s STI collaboration with Europe as pointed out by Hans Thulstrup from UNESCO. [1] LISODE (Lien social et décision) http://www.lisode.com/index.php/english/Accueil.html [2] USP (University of the South Pacific) http://www.usp.ac.fj/ [3] SPC (Secretariat of the Pacific Community) http://www.spc.int/ [4] SPREP (South Pacific Regional Environmental Programme) http://www.sprep.org/ [5] NARI (National Agricultural Research Institute), Papua New Guinea http://www.nari.org.pg/ [6] UPNG (University of Papua New Guinea) http://www.upng.ac.pg/ [7] IRD (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement), French public research institute for development, http://en.ird.fr/ [8] ANU (Australian National University) http://www.anu.edu.au/ [9] MSI (Ministry of Science and Innovation) http://www.msi.govt.nz/ [10] EIB (European Investment Bank) http://www.eib.org/?lang=en [11] UNESCO (the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation) http://www.unesco.org/new/en/ [12] UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organisation) http://www.unido.org/ [13] DG DEVCO (Development and Cooperation – EuropeAid) http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/index_en.htm [14] CTA (Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation) http://www.cta.int/ [15] ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific group of States) [16] OCTs (Overseas Countries and Territories) http://en.ird.fr/all-the-current-events/news/news-from-the-direction-of-human-resources/expatriate-researcher-and-teacher-researcher-campaign-20122 Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0200 As part of its dual role as research operator and inter-institutional research agency for development (AIRD), the IRD aims to develop postings to Southern countries for researchers and teacher-researchers carrying out research programmes on development, training and innovation. Objective Applicants for postings may: carry out a joint research programme with an IRD team and its Southern partners within the framework of joint research units co-supervised by the IRD; be awarded a place on the AIRD PEERS (Programme of Excellence for Education and Research in the South) programme, for which the 2012 call for proposals is currently ongoing. In 2012, the IRD is recruiting researchers and teacher-researchers for postings in Southern countries (Sub-Saharan Africa, the Mediterranean, Asia and Latin America) or in tropical French overseas territories, to work in the following areas: Development and governance Vulnerability, inequality and growth Social and spatial dynamics and borders Infectious diseases, especially emerging and forgotten diseases Diseases of civilisation Nutrition Plant-health interactions Climate variability and climate change Natural hazards and risks Water resources Food production and security Ecosystems and Biodiversity Primary mineral and energy resources General conditions for expatriate hosting appointments in Southern countriesThe agents concerned by the hosting schemes The personnel eligible for postings to Southern countries are: researchers and teacher-researchers belonging to an institution that jointly supervises a joint research team with the IRD tenured teacher-researchers from higher education institutions and Ecoles Nationales Supérieures tenured junior and senior research scientists from public science and technology institutions contract workers on open-ended contracts with a public administrative institution (EPA), a public industrial and commercial institution (EPIC) or a public health institution (EPS) foreign researchers belonging to a non-French European public institution foreign researchers belonging to a public institution in a Southern country Duration of hosting For postings that are not part of the AIRD PEERS programme The initial term of the posting is a minimum of one or two years. This is renewable, to make up a maximum total of 4 consecutive years. Initial postings will begin no earlier than 1st October 2012 For any request to extend a posting, a new application must be submitted. For postings that are part of the AIRD PEERS programme The initial term of postings that are part of an AIRD PEERS programme is one year. This can be renewed for a further year. The initial posting will begin no earlier than 1st February 2013 Deadline date for sending applications: 18 March 2012 Contact: accueil@ird.fr Researchers and teacher-researchers who wish to apply for an expatriate hosting appointment in a Southern country must send in a complete application (application downloadable here). Application form 2012 Download the file (DOC, 89 Ko) Guide 2012 for applicants for researchers and teacher-researchers Download the file (PDF, 81 Ko) http://en.ird.fr/all-the-current-events/news/the-mistrals-general-assembly-sets-up-a-research-training-and-innovation-consortium-for-the-mediterranean Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100 The General Assembly of MISTRALS' programme (Mediterranean Integrated STudies at Regional And Local Scales) met in Malta on 13 March 2012. As a key member of the French delegation attending the meeting, the IRD was represented by Bernard Dreyfus, Executive Director for Science, Ghani Chehbouni, co-director of MISTRALS, and Said Jabbouri, General Coordinator of the IRD in the Mediterranean region. Photo_rencontre_Malte_mars_2012 In the continuity of the Malta Declaration proclaimed in April 2011, the objective of the meeting was to establish a pan-Mediterranean research, training and innovation consortium whose mission would be, for a decade, to promote and coordinate research in order to predict the habitability of the Mediterranean over a century. A clear consensus on the relevance of MISTRALS programme was expressed by the representatives of different countries attending the meeting, in particular South and East Mediterranean countries. Furthermore, most participants endorsed the setting-up of an international working group responsible for carrying out MISTRALS activities ad interim , until the next General Assembly. This group, which consists of seven members (Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, France, Spain, Italy, Lebanon), will have the task of proposing modes of governance for the legal body which will direct MISTRALS and which could also serve as a consultation platform for other cooperation initiatives between the southern and eastern countries of the Mediterranean and the northern ones. Finally, the Malta meeting also provided an opportunity to officially launch the regional programme of scientific cooperation Envi-Med, dedicated to research in the field of sustainable development in the Mediterranean. Being in line with the MISTRALS strategy, Envi-Med aims to support research internationalization in the Mediterranean and to contribute to regional integration of the least developed countries of the region as regards the study of the functioning of the Mediterranean basin in all its aspects. http://en.ird.fr/all-the-current-events/news/dossiers/world-water-forum/water-at-the-heart-of-ird-s-action-at-the-6th-world-water-forum Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100 Two thirds of the earth’s surface is covered with water. However, only 0,1 % of water resources is available for human and almost one billion people in the world have no access to safe drinking water, mainly in Southern countries. In response to these shortages, scientific research plays a major role in assessing the water resources and identifiying the best strategies for freshwater management. Water research stands for one of the main priorities of IRD (Institut de recherche pour le développement ). Water issues mobilize about 140 IRD’s researchers. During the debates of the 6th World Water Forum, taking place in Marseille on March 12-17 2012, IRD intends to raise awareness of the general public, civil society and policy-makers to issues and research results on water through several official events. "Water scarcity in arid areas" - High level panel March 15 - 8.30/10.30 am - Palais des congrès, Auditorium Aim Mettre en lumière des solutions qui permettent de gérer durablement les ressources en eau dans les zones arides et semi-arides de la planète. Sur la base de trois témoignages scientifiques, un plateau de personnalités du monde politique et de la société civile débattra des actions à mener prioritairement. The overall aim of this special session is to identify solutions for the sustainable management of water resources in arid and semi-arid areas of the world. A panel, consisting of political and scientific personalities, will debate on action priorities following the presentation of 3 scientific case studies. Organisation This session is a follow up to a tri-partite collaboration between Africa, Brazil and France. It is organized by the Institute of Research for Development (IRD), also acting as inter-institutional agency (AIRD), in collaboration with the Pan-African Agency of the Great Green Wall (APGMV) and the Center for Strategic Studies and Management Science, Technology and Innovation of Brazil (CGEE). Presentation Water is essential for life. Arid and semi-arid lands represent 40 % of the total surface of the globe and are found on all continents except Antarctica. As the water resource becomes scarce in these regions its sustainable management becomes a high priority. Water scarcity was a central theme in the last three international conferences on climate, sustainability and development in drylands (ICID) held in Fortaleza-Brazil 2010, Mendoza-Argentina 2011 and Niamey-Niger 2011. ICID participants addressed the main challenges and opportunities of the arid areas of the world, and water issues were highlighted because of their enormous significance in life and development. The causes and consequences of water scarcity in the most threatened regions i.e. Africa, Asia and Latin America will be discussed. Concrete actions for value addition and sustainable use of natural resources at local, regional and international scales will be presented. Diagnostic tools and methodologies for water resource monitoring will be discussed. In the most arid regions of the planet there is an urgent need to develop institutions dealing specifically with sustainable water management. These should aim at optimizing the water supply and use while addressing social and environmental needs. The aim of this session is to generate a debate within the high level panel and to bring the floor into the discussion. Participants will include academics, politicians, donors, economists and representatives of both the civil society and the private sector. The expected outcomes of this exchange are short, medium and long term propositions that could influence public policy of these regions, in the perspective of Rio+20. Programme This session will be facilitated by two journalists (Jean-Claude Lewandowski and Julia Santi) and will focus on three themes related to water scarcity in arid and semi-arid areas. Themes will be introduced by three IRD scientists: Jean-Luc Chotte, Georges Serpantié and Frédérique Seyler. Resources management and territories development Arid and semi-arid areas are characterized by strong variability in environmental and human conditions. In such sensitive regions, changes are as fast as unpredictable. Can we act on the functioning of the ecosystem? How can we best combine research, traditional knowledge and society priorities? Governance and desertification Civil societies are key. Good management of arid areas relies on education and innovation policy. What are the consequences of political decisions? How decision regarding ecosystem management can be included? How to share the responsibility of sustainable development amongst various stakeholders evolving in diverse territories? Diagnostic and monitoring tools Geospatial data are a powerful tool for development. How can they contribute to international strategies for a sustainable management of water resources in arid areas? Which policies are needed? Which collective initiatives should be put into place for a fare share of information? Panel President of IRD, Prof. Michel Laurent, and his counterparts, Prof. Abdoulaye Dia, Executive secretary of the Pan-African Agency of the Great Green Wall (PAGGW) and Prof. Antonio Galvão, Director of the Center for Strategic Studies and Management Science, Technology and Innovation of Brazil (CGEE), as well as seven personalities from the scientific and political world: Dr. Elena Maria Abraham, Director, Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas (IADIZA), Argentina Mme. Khadija Razavi, Executive Director, Center for Sustainable Development, Iran du Center for Sustainable Development, Iran H.E. Mr. Prince Fahad Al Attiya, Chairman, Qatar National Food Security Programme (QNSFP), Qatar H.E. Mr. Mahamat Okormi, Minister of the Environment and Fisheries Resources, Chad Prof. Luc Gnacadja, Executive Secretary, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, Germany (UNCCD). Prof. Jean-Pierre Ezin, Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology (HRST), African Union, Kenya Prof. Trevor Daniell, Australian National Committee for the UNESCO International Hydrological Programme, Associate professor at the University of Adelaide, Australia Dr. Richard Escadafal, President of the French Scientific Committee on Desertification (CSFD), France Presentation of the panelists and facilitators Prof. Michel Laurent President of IRD. Michel Laurent has been Director General of the Institute since June 2006. He was appointed President of IRD for a four-year term by the Council of Ministers on June 9th, 2010. He is Vice-President of International and European Relations of the National Alliance of Environmental Research. Prof. Michel Laurent is Honorary President of the Mediterranean University and former Vice-President of the Conference of University Chairpersons. He served as the President of the Mediterranean University from 1999 to 2004. Prof. Abdoulaye Dia Doctor of geosciences, University Professor of exceptional class at the Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar. Member of Senegal's Academy of Science and Technology and former Director of earth director’s institute of UCAD. Currently Director of the UCAD doctoral training programmes “Georesources/imaging, environment and planning” and Executive Secretary of the African Great Green Wall Agency based in Ndjamena, Chad. Prof. Antonio Carlos Filgueira Galvão economist (University of Brasília, 1980) graduated in Applied Economics at State University of Campinas (2003), with thesis partially developed in Sussex European Institute/University of Sussex (UK - 2002). He also has a master degree in Economic Theory (University of São Paulo, 1982). Currently is director at the CGEE and a science and technology analyst at the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). From 2004 to 2007 was the Secretary of regional development policies at the Ministry of national integration. Has experience in the areas of science, technology and innovation, regional development and planning and public policy. Dr. Elena Maria Abraham Scientific researcher of the National council of scientific and technical research (CONICET), Director of the Argentine institute for research on arid lands (IADIZA) and professor of environmental planning and management at the Congress University, Argentina. She is working on developing methodological frameworks able to consolidate integrated, participative and multi-scale approaches to desertification assessment and on the generation of local development strategies to combat desertification in the Monte desert, Argentina. To date she has published over 120 contributions to the knowledge of theoretical, methodological and application aspects related to the environment and human settlements in drylands. Ms. Khadija Catherine Razavi Executive Director of the Center for sustainable development (CENESTA), Iran. Specialist in community participation, biodiversity conservation, women in sustainable development and appropriate technology, with over twenty years of experience in Iran and other countries. She worked as NGO organizer and leader and as free-lance consultant. Special emphasis on land degradation and the role of seasonal migration as a means of sustainable land use. Main areas of experience include the promotion of sustainable and participatory development, renewable energies, women's participation in sustainable development, environmentally sound pest management programmes, desertification prevention, nomadism and development, training of community animators, public awareness, and project design and implementation. H.E. Mr. Fahad Bin Mohammed Al-Attiya appointed as Chairman of the Qatar national food security programme (QNFSP) by his Highness the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani in 2008. Following his schooling in Qatar, Mr Al-Attiya joined the Qatar armed forces as an officer cadet at which time he was accepted to and educated at the royal military academy, Sandhurst, in the UK. Mr Al-Attiya read law at Westminster university, and attended his LPC at BPP law school in London. In 2007 Mr Al-Attiya joined the office of the Heir Apparent at the Emiri Diwan as legal counsel, a position he still holds. He is also on the legislation council of Qatar. Under Mr Al-Attiya's leadership, the QNFSP is developing a master plan which upon implementation, will become a model for sustainable, environmentally friendly agriculture in arid regions, and represent a unique challenge to the popular conceptions of food security being achieved in dry land countries. H.E. Mr. Mahamat Béchir Okormi Minister of the Environment and fisheries resources, Chad. He successively held the following positions from 2003 in Chad : Financial at the technical committee for monitoring and control environmental aspects of the Oil Doba’s project ; Minister of general state control : Secretary of state for national defense ; Secretary of state for foreign affairs and cooperation. Prof. Luc Gnacadja Executive secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. He served as Minister of environment, housing and urban development of Benin from 1999 to 2005. He gained first-hand knowledge of the UNCCD process over a number of years in his capacity as Head of delegation to the conference of the parties to the convention, where he initiated and built synergies between the Rio Conventions, in conjunction with the National commission on sustainable development. He has also served as Chairman of several international ministerial conferences, meetings and workshops related to the environment, urban and regional development, and sustainable development, including the African minister conference on environment and the commission on sustainable development. In March 2003 Mr. Gnacadja was honored with the “2002 Green Award” in Washington by the World Bank. Prof. Jean-Pierre EZIN African Union Commissioner for human resources, science and technology. Doctor in mathematical science (University of Science and Technology of Lille, France), he has occupied several posts in international scientific research centers such as the Abdus Aalam centre for theoretical physics and the Laurent Schwartz mathematics center. He was a senior lecturer in high schools, has been rector of the Benin National University, dean of science, founder and director of the Benin institute of mathematics and physical sciences. He was titular professor at the Benin National University. He also served the university as mathematics lecturer and was advisor in the ministry in charge of planning, economic restructuring and employment. Prof. Trevor Daniell member of the Australian UNESCO international hydrology program (IHP) Committee, Chairman UNESCO IHP steering committee for South East Asia. He was Pr. at the university of Adelaide (Australia) from 1989 to 2009, and he is currently actually honorary senior research fellow. He has also worked for the Australian government in Indonesia, the Pacific and Australia. In 2008, Trevor Daniell was selected as the Crawford H Munro Orator and received an achievement award from the International hydrologic environment society. During his career, Trevor Daniell has received other awards (Warren medal, GN Alexander, RJN Franki) to reward the excellent quality of its work in hydrology.. Dr. Richard Escadafal senior scientist at IRD (France), he holds a Ph.D in soil science and has extensive research experience in remote sensing for arid environment monitoring. In the recent years, he has been strongly involved in coordinating EU funded research projects on this theme, and expanded scientific networking in the Mediterranean region. After having spent two years as Vice-chair of the Committee for Science and Technology of the UNCCD, he is currently chairing the French Scientific Committee on Desertification (CSFD), and he is a co-founder and a member of the Steering Committee of DesertNet International. Jean-Claude Lewandowski Journalist in the French daily newspaper "Les Echos" since 1987, in charge of higher education (college life, graduate employment, skills). Editor of the special issue "Les Echos Sup", in charge of the "training section" in the daily pages. Author of several books including "New ways to form" (editions of organization). His interests are geopolitics, sustainable development, issues of energy and natural resources, emerging markets, and North-South relations, technology transfer, science and technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, and management. Julia Santi independent journalist and economic consultant, radio host on his show "Seen on the Web" every week for 6 years, Julia Santi is listening to the world around us. Partner in the consulting firm Santi & Partners since 2002, she specializes in conducting innovative projects and works regularly in companies and institutions as a communication consultant, mainly in the research area. Engaged in creation and business women's networks, she wrote and published the following book issued in March 2011 "En vies de femmes” (Editions Gramond ), a complete panorama on women’s employment with entrepreneurs women portraits. What is essential for her: the human in its personal, social and economic complexity. Launch of the tripartite research programme Africa-Brazil-France "Fight against desertification in Africa - food insecurity and poverty" - Side event March 15 - 19.15/20.15 pm - Palais des congrès, Patio 1 Background Desertification affects 40 % of the earth's lands. If no action is undertaken, 10 million hectares of arable land are lost annually. One third of world population could be affected. All continents are concerned, especially Africa where 37% of lands are threatened. AIRD, PAGGW, CGEE and CNPq held in Niamey in October 2011, the international conference "Towards sustainable development of drylands in Africa". The tripartite call concretizes the commitments of the Niamey Declaration, signed at the conclusion of the conference, whose recommendations were submitted to the Preparatory Committee of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio +20). Stakeholders The Pan- African Agency of the Great Green Wall (PAGGW), Africa The Agence Inter-établissements de Recherche pour le Développement (AIRD), France National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Brazil Center for Strategic Studies and Management in Science, Technology and Innovation (CGEE), Brazil Three objectives To structure a research community bringing together African, Brazilian and French researchers To build scientific capacities in Africa To strength links between science and society Targeted geographic area African arid and semi-arid regions, specially, those convered by the Great Green Wall (GGW) initiative. Scientific themes Sustainable management of water, soil and biodiversity in arid and semi-arid areas Impact on human development Innovation related to cultural heritage and natural resource management New technologies toward the green economy Experiences, methodologies and data for good governance and sustainable development. Projects to be supported Multidisciplinary research projects implemented in a period of 3 years. Bringing together researchers from three continents. Projects involving several African countries, including at least one of Great Green Wall area, are encouraged. Dimensions to be promoted: capacity building, scientific exchanges and the promotion of science among local communities. Timetable for implementation Publication of the call : June 2012 (Rio +20) - Start of projects : January 2013 Panel Luc Gnacadja, Executive secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Antonio Rocha Magalhães, President of the CST (UNCCD), Director of the ICID Conference, Special advisor of the CGEE, Brazil. Abdoulaye Dia, Executive Secretary of the African Great Green Wall Agency, Ndjamena, Chad. Manoel Barral Netto, Director of institutional cooperation, National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Brazil Michel Laurent, President of IRD Michel Bouvet, Executive Director, AIRD. René Bally, Direction of research programs & capacity building, AIRD. Robin Duponnois, Senior scientist at IRD, Project Manager AIRD/APGMV. " Global changes and water resources of the Niger River " - Side event March 13 - 19.15/20.15 pm - Palais des congrès, PC 17 Samena Background In the sahelian countries, very important modifications result of global changes. From climatic or anthropogenic origin, they have a major impact on water resources. The Niger River, real and sometimes only hydric artery for the populations of nine waterside countries, is also submitted to important disturbances. If the precipitation has been globally low for several years, the runoff conditions, in connexion with an important land use change, can have effects opposite and paradoxical as already demonstrated in the area of Niamey. This debate will aim to contribute identifying the new hydrological conditions on Niger River catchment. It is a major and preliminary step in any will of identification and use of the water resources. The scientists will present their most recent results. There will be a discussion with the stakeholders regarding all possible options for a better management of the resource given the context now prevailing all over the Niger River. O bjectives Define the new hydrological conditions on Niger River catchment to go towards a better use of the water resources. Participants Eric Servat: Senior scientist at IRD, Chairman of IRD’s scientific council, Chairman of HydroSciences ’s laboratory (Montpellier, France). Dr. Abdou Guero, Niger River Basin Authority (ABN), Niger. Dr. Abdou Amani, UNESCO regional hydrologist, Kenya. Dr. Luc Ferry, Senior scientist at IRD Directeur de recherche à l’IRD, G-Eau laboratory , (France). Dr. Pierre Morand, Senior scientist at IRD, Résiliences laboratory (France). More information Eric Servat’s interview: www.ird.fr/la-mediatheque/videos-en-ligne-canal-ird/6eme-forum-mondial-de-l-eau-entrevue-avec-eric-servat-hydrologue www.hydrosciences.org/ www.g-eau.net/ "Integrated management of small reservoirs for multiple uses in the Volta Basin" March 14 - 14.30/16.30 - Palais de l’Europe, PEu 5 - Europa 5 Description Two generations or more after their apparition in arid rural landscapes, West African small reservoirs constitute now a patrimonial and collective resource. Small but numerous and largely scattered, they represent important hotspots of productivity and diversity. Their value is directly linked to their multiuse vocation, particularly during the dry season when water stored during the previous rainy season is used for different and complementary domestic and productive activities. The resilience of these artificial ecosystems, and the expression of the many services they are supporting, is today threatened by diverse and often simultaneous anthropogenic pressures: agricultural intensification (diffuse pollutions), demographic densification (eutrophication), development of unexpected activities (mining). There is a permanent loop between the water needs in terms of both quantity and quality by the different activities, and the quantitative and qualitative impacts exerted by each of them on the water resources. Such trade-offs ultimately define the amount and quality of water available, in a context of increasing demand and competition. Within the IWRM framework which is now largely implemented in most West African countries, local management institutions (Water Users Associations and Local Water Committees) constitute the ultimate negotiation arena for the definition and application of efficient, equitable and sustainable governance rules. The Challenge program on water and food has recently initiated a series of research projects under the umbrella of the Volta Basin development challenge that aim at “improving rainwater and small reservoir management to contribute to poverty reduction and improved livelihoods resilience while taking account of downstream and upstream water users including ecosystem services”. In this context, participatory approaches are conducted with local stakeholders in charge of small reservoir management, to characterize and to evaluate the current management rules, and to identify and to discuss with them potential alternatives. This task is central for the CPWF-V3 project focused on “Integrated management of small reservoirs for multiple uses” that develops its activities along the Volta basin in Burkina Faso and Ghana. During the forum session, the solution presented will aim at highlighting the many challenges daily encountered by the local stakeholders, expressed through the point of view of a core actor: the Mayor of a rural commune, Madam Asseta Ilboudo, Mayor of Loumbila (Burkina Faso), directly committed to drive and sustain the governance processes around small reservoirs. More information http://waterandfood.org/2011/12/15/v3-%E2%80%93-integrated-management-of-small-reservoirs-for-multiple-uses/ " The Carib-Hycos project, monitoring hydrology and climate at a regional scale " An example of using Interreg Fund for regional cooperation March 15 - 11.00/13.00 am - Palais de l’Europe, PEu 5 - Europa 5 Presentation The Carib-Hycos project, coordinated by IRD, will be presented during the Target and solutions group SERPT n°11: "Adapt Water management to the specificities of European outermost Regions" Carib-Hycos project IRD has been already involved in some Hycos projects (Mediterranean Sea, West & Central Africa, Austral Africa), and is currently involved, through the OBHI Unit in the implementation of the Volta-Hycos and Niger-Hycos components. Since 2002, IRD, in close co-operation with WMO and with the support of the local Authorities of Martinique, works for the Carib-Hycos project arrangement. IRD will share his expertise in terms of technology transfer and capacity building mainly for new technologies in hydrometry and information systems with the National Hydrological Services. From a geographical point of view, this project lies within the framework of the Europe/Mediterranean/Africa axe (as part of the ROM/COM for the Carib area) favoured today by the national and European authorities, the regional center hosted by IRD in Martinique will centralize data coming from the hydrological observatories network of the National Hydrological Services. These data will be homogenized, introduced into a regional database. Information will be made available to the different stakeholders through a Hydrological Information System. The islands of the Caribbean are characterized by large heterogeneity and variety of political, socio-economical, cultural, linguistic and geographical field. The same statement can be made for the National hydrological services. While regional co-operation is well established in the field of meteorology, it is, with a few exceptions, currently nonexistent in the realm/field of hydrology. Co-operation in the sharing of information and perhaps the pooling of expertise for special projects would benefit the relatively small data observation and interpretation Services typical of the Caribbean islands... Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, French Antilles (Guadeloupe and Martinique), Haiti, Jamaica, Ste Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago expressed their interest to participate in the Caribbean Island Component of Carib-Hycos. This project will be a real Regional observatory on water resources (quantity & quality) which will take into account the pollution risks to the Caribbean Sea. More information www.caraibes-hycos.org/ Public events During the debates of the 6th World Water Forum, IRD raises awareness in the general public to issues and research results on water, through two exhibitions and a book. Exhibition "Water territories, irrigation and water sharing in the Mediterranean" - Bibliothèque départementale des Bouches-du-Rhône - February 17 / July 13 This exhibition is designed as a trail encouraging visitors to “go with the flow”, and move from upstream to downstream, starting in high upland irrigation systems then navigating down to the deltas on the coast, on the way looking at oases and irrigated lands on the fluvial plains. The trail will also feature display points presenting technical exhibits (from the Musée des Arts et Métiers ) and audiovisual archives (Institut National de l’Audiovisuel ), showing how human communities in the Mediterranean used their ingenuity to capture and use water for agriculture. Then, throughout the exhibition tour visitors will be made aware of the all-important questions irrigation raises today in the Mediterranean Basin. Interactive displays will be installed to attract the younger age groups. A complementary programme of events (talks, discussions, films) will give opportunities to explore more deeply the various questions concerning irrigation in the Mediterranean. More information : www.culture-13.fr/actualites/les-territoires-de-l-eau.html Photo exhibition "Water for all, research mobilizes" - Saint-Charles’s station - from February 24 IRD presents an exhibition of large size photos on the square of Saint-Charles’s railway station - Marseille, from February 24th: “Water for all, research mobilizes”. These meaningful pictures, taken by IRD’s researchers in the developing countries, increase public awareness of the essential challenges of water resources to guarantee the well-being of all and assure a fairer and more sustainable development. Thanks to the image’s universal language, this exhibition illustrates the main priority of the 6th World Water Forum: guarantee the water access for all; improve health; prevent water risks and crises; contribute to food safety. More information : www.ird.fr/toute-l-actualite/colloques-et-manifestations/expositions/exposition-de-l-eau-pour-tous-la-recherche-se-mobilise "Water at the heart of science" - IRD’s Publishing - available from March 15 In the present context of climate change, over-exploitation of resources and anthropogenic impacts on the environment, the question of water is one of the major challenges of the twenty-first century. Access to drinking water for the greatest number is one of the Millenium Development Goals. The allocation and availability of water, its uses-for domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes and for energy production-and its quality are also central to scientific research, as it shown in this book. The reader will find texts that everyone can understand, with numerous illustrations. The main research programmes on water conducted by IRD and its partners from the South are discribed in boxes. The book is aimed at all those who wish to learn about the current issues related to water with focus on sustainable management. More information : www.ird.fr/toute-l-actualite/actualites/parutions-d-ouvrages/ouvrage-l-eau-au-caeur-de-la-science www.ird.fr/editions/catalogue/ouvrage.php?livre=666 http://en.ird.fr/all-the-current-events/news/setting-up-of-a-lebanese-environment-observatory Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100 On the initiative of Mouin Hamzé, Secretary-General of the Lebanese CNRS, a meeting was held in Beirut on 27 February in order to launch the setting up of a Lebanese environment observatory. This meeting was attended by various French partners ( UM2, CNRS, IRD represented by Said Jabbouri, OSU-OREME) and Lebanese partners (CNRSL, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Lebanese University, American University of Beirut). After the various participants expressed their interests in this initiative, debate focused on the themes to be developed, among which the following ones have been selected: Water; Biodiversity and Resources; and Waste Management. Rencontre pour la création d'un observatoire libanais de l'environnement Participants signed a document entitled Letter of Intent for a Lebanese-French Co-ordinated Action in the Field of Environment , which proposes the establishment of a Lebanese environment observatory. Participants discussed about two possible kinds of observatory without choosing between them: an observatory for collecting and storing data and / or an observatory also conducting research and training activities. Subsequently, a meeting at the Ministry of Environment was held in the presence of various participants to expose the project to the Minister, who expressed his approval and support for the setting up of the observatory. It was proposed that a meeting to sign a final contract between the different partners should be held at the time of the CNRSL's 50th anniversary which will be in June 2012. It is important to mention that this project falls within the framework of the European MISTRALS programme, which brings together the main French research organizations in a joint effort to study the Mediterranean environment. http://en.ird.fr/all-the-current-events/news/judicial-reform-in-egypt-2nd-session-of-the-college-of-experts Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100 Within the framework of the Expert Group review on Judicial Reform in Egypt : How to Accelerate the Decision Making Process before the Court of Cassation, which is conducted by the IRD at the request of the Egyptian Court of Cassation and in collaboration with the University of Paris 1 - Panthéon Sorbonne and the French Court of Cassation, a French delegation consisting of six experts came to Egypt to attend the second plenary session of the College of Experts. Held in Cairo from 26 to 29 February 2012, this session provided an opportunity for more than thirty hours of interviews with vice-chairmen, managers and officials of the Court, in addition to other meetings and on-site observations (the experts attended two hearings, made a collective interview with members of a Chamber and visited services which ensure the reception and registration of the appeals). These multiple meetings generated a considerable amount of information making it possible to gauge the particularly aggravated situation of the Egyptian Court of cassation (stock of 240 000 civil appeals, nearly 20,000 new appeals each year, no resorption capacity, inefficient work organization, individual and collective resistance to change, computerisation which has barely begun). The College of Experts' next meeting will be held in Cairo in mid-April. Its main purpose will be to validate the experts' contributions and lead to the formulation of recommendations, so that the final report might be submitted to the President of the Egyptian Court of Cassation, Hossam Al-GHERIANY, on 10 June. It is worth remembering that this expert group review aims to analyse the organisation of the Egyptian Court of cassation to identify sources of delays in litigation and suggest ways of accelerating judgement delivery, in order to guarantee each citizen the right to a fair trial. http://en.ird.fr/all-the-current-events/events/symposium/pace-net-key-stakeholder-conference-2012 Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100 PACE-Net Key Stakeholder Conference, Brussels, 20th – 23rd March 2012: Strengthening Pacific-European Collaboration in Research, Development, and Innovation. The PACE-Net Project, an EU Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) INCO-Net project, together with the Ministry of Sciences and Economic Affairs -Saxony -Anhalt, would like to invite you to participate in our flagship dialogue event, called the PACE-Net Key Stakeholder Conference, Brussels, 20th – 23rd March 2012. Climate change has been identified as one of the major societal challenges of our time, not just for Europe, but also for other regions, including the Pacific. As climate change associated risks directly affect people and ecosystems of the Pacific, the event’s main topic will be: Climate Change: in relation to Water, Agriculture and Forestry, Natural Hazards, Fisheries, and Mid-Term Research & Innovation Policies in the Pacific. The interactive conference will include: Presentations of funding opportunities for the Pacific with networking possibilities Thematic workshops on the climate change topics and the research, development & innovation policies in the Pacific High level policy dialogue to discuss the priority research, development, and innovation, issues from the workshops in view of the interaction between the S&T Community, EC directorates, the EU-external action services, EIB, and further funding organizations. Registration: https://www.pt-it.de/ptconference/conference/PACE032012 Web-Site: http://brussels-conference.pacenet.eu/Hotel: http://www.resotel.be/dlrmarch2012 Contacts: Prof. Claude PAYRI (Coordinator - PACE-Net, claude.payri@ird.fr ) Dr. Gerd RÜCKER (Coordinator - PACE-Net Key Stakeholder Conferences, gerd.ruecker@dlr.de ) PACE-Net 2012 Download the file (PDF, 90 Ko) http://en.ird.fr/all-the-current-events/news/news-from-the-direction-of-human-resources/expatriate-researcher-and-teacher-researcher-campaign-2012 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0100 As part of its dual role as research operator and inter-institutional research agency for development (AIRD), the IRD aims to develop postings to Southern countries for researchers and teacher-researchers carrying out research programmes on development, training and innovation. Objective Applicants for postings may: carry out a joint research programme with an IRD team and its Southern partners within the framework of joint research units co-supervised by the IRD; be awarded a place on the AIRD PEERS (Programme of Excellence for Education and Research in the South) programme, for which the 2012 call for proposals is currently ongoing. In 2012, the IRD is recruiting researchers and teacher-researchers for postings in Southern countries (Sub-Saharan Africa, the Mediterranean, Asia and Latin America) or in tropical French overseas territories, to work in the following areas: Development and governance Vulnerability, inequality and growth Social and spatial dynamics and borders Infectious diseases, especially emerging and forgotten diseases Diseases of civilisation Nutrition Plant-health interactions Climate variability and climate change Natural hazards and risks Water resources Food production and security Ecosystems and Biodiversity Primary mineral and energy resources General conditions for expatriate hosting appointments in Southern countriesThe agents concerned by the hosting schemes The personnel eligible for postings to Southern countries are: researchers and teacher-researchers belonging to an institution that jointly supervises a joint research team with the IRD tenured teacher-researchers from higher education institutions and Ecoles Nationales Supérieures tenured junior and senior research scientists from public science and technology institutions contract workers on open-ended contracts with a public administrative institution (EPA), a public industrial and commercial institution (EPIC) or a public health institution (EPS) foreign researchers belonging to a non-French European public institution foreign researchers belonging to a public institution in a Southern country Duration of hosting For postings that are not part of the AIRD PEERS programme The initial term of the posting is a minimum of one or two years. This is renewable, to make up a maximum total of 4 consecutive years. Initial postings will begin no earlier than 1st October 2012 For any request to extend a posting, a new application must be submitted. For postings that are part of the AIRD PEERS programme The initial term of postings that are part of an AIRD PEERS programme is one year. This can be renewed for a further year. The initial posting will begin no earlier than 1st February 2013 Deadline date for sending applications: 18 March 2012 Contact: accueil@ird.fr Researchers and teacher-researchers who wish to apply for an expatriate hosting appointment in a Southern country must send in a complete application (application downloadable here). Application form 2012 Download the file (DOC, 89 Ko) Guide 2012 for applicants for researchers and teacher-researchers Download the file (PDF, 81 Ko) http://en.ird.fr/all-the-current-events/news/season-s-greetings2 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0100 The IRD presents you its best wishes for 2012. See the animation on line!