Community Participation for Local Climate Adaptation

28 September

Online event

On 28/9 the Unesco Commission will organize its second webinar about culture-based solutions for local climate adaptation. The presentations and discussion will specifically focus on participatory processes and creating (local) support for climate adaptation measures.

Koosje Spitz

28 september 2021

During the webinar three project managers will explain how they involve local communities in the redevelopment and enhancement of landscapes; the renovation of urban neighbourhoods and improving the quality of life; and in creating awareness and engagement for climate action.

Actively involving a broad range of stakeholders in the development and implementation of climate adaptation strategies, is not self-evident but can be instrumental. Culture and heritage can contribute to facilitate this participation. For example by enhancing a change in mindset and strengthening support among local communities for government policies and decisions. The first online meeting took place during the International Climate Adaptation Summit in January.

The program

The program starts at 15:00 to 16.30 (3:00 – 4:30 PM, AMS time) and includes:

Welcome by Kathleen Ferrier, president of the Netherlands Commission for Unesco
Presentation of three projects from the Kingdom of the Netherlands:

Nieuw Drassig Land - Hanneke Stenfert: Heritage and history as a source of inspiration to create a climate resilient environment together with citizens in Polder Nijbroek.
Lab Reyeroord+ - Mercedes Leipoldt: Co-creative processes and creative design involving residents to find solutions to neighbourhood challenges in Reyeroord, Rotterdam.
Island(er)s at the Helm - Francio Guadeloupe: Traditional knowledge, community participation and local climate challenges in the Dutch Caribbean.

Interview with Nazanin Hedayati from the Creative Industries Fund NL, on the use of creative design in community-based climate adaptation.
Panel discussion on the role of heritage and culture as drivers for climate adaptation action, moderated by Corinne Hofman, Professor of Caribbean Archaeology at Leiden University and member of the Netherlands Commission for Unesco.

To attend

This online event will be accessible through a livestream connection. Participants can ask questions via the chat. To receive the Zoom link, please send an e-mail to event@unesco.nl.

More information on this event.