On Thursday, November 14th, Professor Koundouri participated in the CASSANDRA 2023 CONFERENCE, which focused on scientific, technological, and socio-political responses to the impacts of climate change on migration, health, conflict, and gender inequality in Africa and the Mediterranean.
The panel titled “The Seven Pillars of Sustainability” focused on introducing seven concepts capable of generating, implementing, and replicating solutions for the challenges identified by the conference. These pillars included Data to Action, The Source to Sea (S2S) approach to water quality, The Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem-Health Nexus (WEFE+H), Citizen Engagement, Citizen Science, Science-Art-Sustainability Diplomacy, and a robust Emergency Response Capacity.
Professor Koundouri talked on how to turn existing knowledge in technology, science, politics, and economics into practical actions for society. She discussed challenges and ways to overcome them, stressing the need for collaboration in the WEFE Nexus. She also emphasized the importance of sustainability plans for both rural and urban communities.
The conversation also touched on how involving regular people in science and decision-making is important, and whether politicians and industry are on board with these ideas for mutual benefit.
Presenter:
RICHARD A. BERMAN, Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives for Innovation and Research, University of South Florida
Speakers:
- DURK KROL, Executive Director of Water Europe
- NINA RAASAKKA, World Water Quality Alliance Coordinator, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
- TANJA MISKOVA, Ambassador-at-Large for Water Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia
- PHOEBE KOUNDOURI, Professor, Athens University of Economics and Business &Technical University of Denmark – DTU, Chair SDSN Climate Hub, Co-chair SDSN Europe
For more about the conference, visit: https://cassandraconference.org/