The University of Cape Town recently hosted the ARUA NISANSA Forum from March 13 to 15, providing a transdisciplinary forum to advance the understanding of pathways of change in social responses to climate change.
This forum aimed to shed light on the complex dynamics faced by societies in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, which are not only highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change but also among the most multi-dimensionally unequal.
Exploring pathways of change
Societies in these regions exhibit diverse responses to climate change, reflecting their unique contexts and challenges. However, amidst this diversity, there are shared elements of innovation that offer insights into transformative change in climate-resilient development pathways.
The forum invited abstracts, sessions, and poster submissions from researchers and practitioners at all career stages, with a focus on understanding pathways of change in Southern Africa and Latin America. The concept of pathways served as a guiding framework for the two days of engagement, fostering discussions among diverse participants from academia, public, and private sectors.
The forum explored how societies respond to climate change in unequal societies in the Global South, considering the roles of different perceptions and societal actors in shaping these responses. Discussions also delved into how societal actors can drive change by altering rules and building innovative institutions in the governance of climate change.
The opening session laid the grounds for definitions of pathways and transformative innovation by Professors Simone Strambach of the University of Marburg and Professor Erika Mbula at the University of Johannesburg. A further session led by South Africa’s Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Environment (DFFE) interrogated how existing pathways can be inclusively transformed towards achieving a good life and sustainable livelihoods in light of the climate crisis.
The diversities in participants from Africa, South America, Europe, Asia and the US combined multiple perspectives on approaches such as “nature-based solutions”, “integrated water management”, “democracy and public vote” and “just transitions” and their possible contributions and shortcomings to changing pathways towards sustainability.
Facilitating collaborative discussions
The meeting format facilitated in-person exchanges while also offering partial online streaming at the conference facilities at Cape Town’s Graduate Business School, providing a platform for fruitful dialogue and collaboration.
“The interdisciplinary character of the conference allowed for a rich discussion with diverse perspectives where conceptual conflicts served as a baseline for interesting dialogues. Stepping away from an oversimplified categorization of heterogeneous groups of people laid the groundwork for creating nuanced understandings of climate change discourses, terminology, and practical solutions,” said one attendee.
As delegates departed with renewed insights and commitments, the ARUA NISANSA Conference 2024 demonstrated its significance in catalysing collective efforts towards addressing climate change and fostering sustainable development pathways in the Global South.
“[The forum] was an excellent mix of academic and practical, policy and application, with a good balance of sobering insights with hopeful real-life case studies. I met amazing people and feel enriched by the experience, thank you again for all the effort involved in crafting and running the symposium,” expressed one attendee, Julia Watson, “It was lovely to conclude the symposium with the (Un)Sustainable campus tour at UCT and the working group discussion – a nice way to round off the experience.”
Highlighting projects beyond the panel sessions
The forum concluded on a high note with an interactive poster session, where attendees had the opportunity to engage with a diverse range of projects showcasing pathways of change and innovation in climate action. Among the standout contributors was Eunice Shame Kafwamba, whose work received the forum’s poster award for her work in the framing of climate change and risk in Malawi Broadcasting Corporation’s Radio. Eunice’s insightful research underscores the importance of effective science communication in shaping public perceptions and responses to climate change. As the winner of the poster session, Eunice’s work serves as a shining example of the impactful contributions emerging from the conference, highlighting the vital role of media in advancing climate discourse and action.
