Building Capacity to Use Earth Observations in Decision Making for Climate, Health, Agriculture and Natural Disasters

Abstract:

In order to fill the gaps existing in climate and public health, agriculture, natural disasters knowledge and practices, the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) has developed a Curriculum for Best Practices in Climate Information. This Curriculum builds on the experience of 10 years courses on ‘Climate Information’ and captures lessons and experiences from different tailored trainings that have been implemented in many countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. In this presentation, we will provide examples of training activities we have developed to bring remote sensing products to monitor climatic and environmental information into decision processes that benefited users such as the World Health Organization, Ministries of Health, Ministries of Agriculture, Universities, Research Centers such as CIFOR and FIOCRUZ. The framework developed by IRI to provide capacity building is based on the IDEAS framework: 

1. Innovation (research)

   1. Around climate impacts, evaluation of interventions, and the value of climate information in reducing risks and maximizing opportunities

2. Demonstration

   1. E.g. in-country GFCS projects in Tanzania and Malawi – or El Nino work in Ethiopia

3. Education

   1. Academic and professional training efforts

4. Advocacy

   1. This might focus on communication of variability and change?

      We are WHO collaborating center so are engaged through RBM/Global Malaria Programme

5. Service

   1. ENACTS and Data library key to this. Country data better quality than NASA as incorporates all relevant station data and NASA products.

 This presentation will demonstrate how the IDEAS framework has been implemented and lessons learned.