Kickoff Meeting launches the collaborative CLARS project on climate migration
Toronto, September 16-19, 2024 — Researchers from various disciplines gathered in Canada for a kickoff meeting aimed at addressing the pressing issue of climate migration. The event, held at the McMaster University’s Bloor Street Campus, marked the official start of the CLARS project, a collaborative project designed to foster understanding and awareness of the experiences of climate migrants in the Great Lakes region of North America and the Lake Victoria Basin in Africa. “The CLARS project enhances research and innovations from the Lake Victoria basin and the Great Lakes Regions, integrating migrant communities into climate resilience planning.” explained Dr. Cedric Nkiko, architect of the CLARS project.
The meeting provided an opportunity for team members to connect personally and professionally, facilitating an environment of collaboration. “Building strong relationships among researchers is essential for the success of our project,” said Dr. Savitri Jetoo, the Project Manager “We’re not just colleagues; we’re a team working toward shared goals.”
Central to the discussions was the project’s objective to discuss, design, and recommend co-produced strategies and policies for effective mitigation and adaptation of socio-economic vulnerabilities (SEVS) across five Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) and Great Lakes Region (GLR) urban cities of Kampala, Mwanza, Eldoret, Michigan and Ontario. Researchers discussed various facets of the project, including data collection, field studies, and outreach initiatives. Each team member shared insights into their specific roles and contributions, ensuring clarity and alignment as the project progresses.
One of the highlights of the meeting was the emotional and impactful showcase of climate migrants’ stories from the Lake Victoria Region. Through video, climate migrants shared firsthand accounts of individuals and families affected by environmental changes. These narratives underscored the human aspect of climate migration, illustrating the challenges and resilience of those forced to leave their homes.
“The stories we shared today are not just statistics; they represent real people and real struggles,” emphasized Dr. Gail Krantzberg, the lead PI of the CLARS project. “By understanding their experiences, we can develop more effective policies and support systems.”
With a solid foundation established during the kickoff meeting, the team is poised to embark on this vital research journey. As the project unfolds, the researchers are determined to keep the voices of climate migrants at the forefront of their work, ensuring that their stories shape the discourse on migration and climate change.
The project is set to span three years, with the next phase involving field research and community engagement activities scheduled for early next year. Together, the team is committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by climate migration.