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Empowering the next generation in addressing environmental challenges in South-East Europe and the Mediterranean
The Mediterranean basin is a vital area, home to 7% of the world’s marine species, and it hosts over 30,000 plant species. Despite being a hotspot for biodiversity, the region faces significant environmental challenges, including biodiversity loss, unsustainable practices in agriculture and tourism, and the effects of climate change.
To draw light on and address these environmental challenges, this year’s Asterousia Hybrid University focuses on SDG 15 - ‘Life on Land’ terrestrial (and aquatic) ecosystems, within the context of integrated management approaches. Now in its 10th edition, the Hybrid University aims to educate post-graduate students and young professionals, who work in or aspire to work in biosphere reserves and other UNESCO designated sites, in effective integrated management strategies, including nature-based solutions, source-to-sea approaches and ecosystem-based adaptation strategies.
The Mediterranean is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change, with water resources being disproportionately affected. Effective water management in biosphere reserves is crucial to adapting to these challenges!
Phase A held in October in Crete, Greece, consisted of 3 days of lectures, field visits, and peer learning activities led by attending professionals, associations and youth. Participants engaged in key discussions addressing how local actions within biosphere reserves and other sites can be good practice and used as indicators to help sites achieve sustainability targets.
The exchanges focused on solutions to common challenges, such as using non-conventional water resources to address water scarcity, establishing biodiversity assessments and monitoring systems to track progress, implementing projects to restore degraded landscapes and emphasising the role of community engagement and youth in supporting agritourism and sustainable development education.
The value proposition of biosphere reserves and geoparks must be well communicated with more evidence on how the integration of environmental stewardship into community development and educational outreach in these sites fosters harmony between humans and nature.
The event gathered 28 post-graduate students, young professionals and experts (60% of which were women) from 11 South-East European and Mediterranean countries, who enthusiastically received training and shared knowledge on integrated resource management approaches.
Scheduled to start in January 2025, Phase B will span 3 weeks online to provide learning opportunities to a wider audience.
Participating in the Hybrid University has been a truly enriching experience! The diverse group of participants enabled a meaningful intercultural and interdisciplinary exchange and a connection to an inspiring network.
