Dr. Pascaline Gaborit, our director, had the chance to take part to today's debate organised by Friends of Europe regarding the sustainability challenges posed by citizens' habits in our society.

Our product consumption whether it of food, technology or clothing is a core part of our society. Yet our current way of life is lagging behind when it comes to adapting and tackling the climate crisis. 

This debate allowed us to engage with speakers such as Garrette E. Clark who is the Sustainable Lifestyles Programme Officer at the Consumption and Production Unit of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

Dr. Gaborit was able to ask a key question to her during the debate: Will citizens and consumers behavior change be sufficient? Are we free to opt for sustainable choices when the production, transportation and energy rely so much on fossil fuel?

In a world economy which rely so much on polluting industries, fossil fuels and unsustainable development, can citizens really tip the balance on their own?

Due to time limitations, the debate on the question was unfortunately minimal, but it is a crucial and key point towards achieving a sustainable society on a large scale.

We were delighted to be invited to participate to the panel debate organised by Friends of Europe today.

It was greatly interesting to learn more about the point of view of eminent EU officials, such as EU Commissionner for International Partnership Urpilainen, African Union Commissionner for trade and industry Muchanga and EU Commissionner for the Economy Paolo Gentiloni. It was also very insightful to hear the point of views of Ambassador Nyrinkindi Katungye as well as EC Executive VP for an Economy that works for People.

It was a great opportunity to discuss in more detail regarding the current aspects of the relation between Africa and the EU in terms of trade, jobs and sustainable growth !

During this event, our Director Dr. Pascaline Gaborit asked questions had the opportunity to ask the following questions:

• "How can NGOS, cities, the private sector and civil society organizations be enhanced to facilitate the transition towards a Green, Fair and inclusive economy?";
• "How to facilitate investments in the implementation of SDGs?";
• "How to build a system where everybody can succeed and have a chance?";
• "How can the EU/Africa partnership help to deconstruct these risk myths and create an attractive environment to support African entrepreneurs to attract investments and thereby increase job creation?"

Due to time constraints, the speakers were not able to approach her questions, however we are expecting answers to be provided to us in the near future ! Expect an update in the near future !

Pilot4DEV attended the first rountable of the Scientific Committee of the LIFE Adapt'Island project financed by the LIFE Programme.

Through this meeting, the LIFE Adapt'Island project team and Pilot4DEV were able to meet and discuss with highly specialized experts in marine ecology, mangroves, and the adaptation of eco systems as well as a member of the IPCC specialized in the adaptation of small islands to climate change.

As we all know, marine and coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrass beds and coral reefs are invaluable in dampening the catastrophic effects of cyclonic events and climate change. 

Among its chief aims, the project LIFE Adapt Island aims to protect, rehabilitate and manage the following species in Guadeloupe:

• 80,000 m² of mangroves (10,000 seedlings)
• 45,000 m² of seagrass beds (cultivation of 5,000 seeds)
• 45,000 m² of corals (15,000 specimens)

In turn, these actions could provide more protection for the coastal areas and the island itself as well and make it more resilient in the long run as Climate Change becomes more prevalent. Eco-moorings will be developed at a larger scale to remove pressure from the eco systems. 

Click here to learn more about the LIFE Adapt'Island project !

Pilot4Dev and CRIC will take part to the next edition of the Urban Thinker's Campus. The Urban Thinkers Campus (UTC) is a UN-Habitat driven World Urban Campaign initiative.

Read more …

A new book on cities has been published at the University of Pennsylvania Press. The book with an angle on international new towns and their impacts on sustainable development has been edited by Profs. Ann Forsyth and Rick Peiser at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. It has gathered the expertise from an international group of researchers and experts. 

Dr. Pascaline Gaborit, the Director of Pilot4dev is one of the contributors for Europe. 

PILOT4DEV is looking for a project officer to work on the EU co-funded projects CRIC, Pilot4research and Dialogue and LIFE Adapt Island. This is a fixed term contract (3 months), which can be extended. You can find the detailed job add here. Please send your CV and cover letter before the 31st of August to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

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Programme

Introduction

Economic-Module

Environmental Module

Social Module

Governance Session

Closing Session

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This training content material does not necessarily reflect the position of the EU and partners, but only the one of the authors

Pilot4dev is organizing together with ISOCARP and UCLG ASPAC an online training about urban sustainable development and cities the 22nd and 23rd of July 2020. 

The program is available here    You can register here

The content will soon be available on the CRIC project website: www.resilient-cities.com

To receive more information please contact us...

Prof Youssef Diab (University Gustave Eiffel) is co-organizing an event jointly with the city of Paris on "Assessing Resilience" on the 15-16 and 17 July. 

You can find the program and register here: