IGSD News

This is an interview provided by Prof. Jon CoaffeeLink opens in a new window and IGSD's Dr. Vangelis PitidisLink opens in a new window from the University of Warwick, leaders of the EU H2020-funded proJECT RiskPACC Work Package 2 '“Engaging Citizens to expand understandings of risks, vulnerabilities and data collection opportunities”. In this interview WP2 leaders present the outcomes of the work undertaken in the contex of their Work Package, but also express some general ideas regarind the overall contribution of Warwick University in the Project.

Dr Vangelis Pitidis, Assistant Professor at IGSD, attended the 2nd workshop on Bridging the Risk Perception and Action Gap that took place in the context of the RiskPACC project in the City Hall of the Municipality of Rafina-Pikermi in Greece. The workshop was very successful, with over 30 participants from the Fire Brigade of the region, the Civil Protection of the Region and the Municipality, volunteer groups, local schools, as well as citizens of various ages.

I have worked hard here with Dr Sama Zefania head of IESM (University of Menabe) trying to make progress with our UoW-funded PSF project: Exploring policy pathways considering migration dynamics in the sustainable management of protected areas in Madagascar. IESM is our external partner in the implementation of this project. We are on the preparation phase of the project, meeting authorities, key partners and research assistants. Eights students from IESM will be engaged in data collection in Menabe and Androy interviewing migrants and local authorities to understand reasons of migration and its link with deforestation within Menabe Protected Area. I recall that Menabe protected area (210,000 hectares) has an exceptional biodiversity with very high rate of species endemism but has faced rapid deforestation hypothesised to be exacerbated by migration of people from Southern Madagascar, the driest region, located in the extreme south of the country. It is believed that migrants have fled from drought and hard life condition in South to squat in the forest or settle in villages near the protected area to practice slash and burn agriculture and grow maize and peanuts. In collaboration with local partners and authorities here in Menabe, our PSF project aims at unravelling socioecological complexities and increasing awareness in order to promote informed policy decisions.

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