The United Nations University (UNU) is the academic arm of the United Nations (UN). It
bridges the academic world and the UN system. Its goal is to develop
sustainable solutions for current and future problems of humankind in all
aspects of life. Through a problem-oriented and interdisciplinary approach it
aims at applied research and education on a global scale. UNU was founded in
1973 and is an autonomous organ of the UN General Assembly. The
University comprises headquarters Tokyo, Japan, and more than a dozen Institutes
and Programmes worldwide.
International experts from Indonesia, USA, UK, Viet Nam, France, Germany
and Japan explored new challenges for risk reduction and climate change
adaptation in coastal zones. In this regard, present and future development
pathways for urban and rural coastal zones in Indonesia were discussed and
their consequences for risk accumulation and climate change adaptation
evaluated.
The scientific workshop and the write shop focused on new research
challenges, such as the development of future scenarios for vulnerability and
risk or the limits of adaptation. In addition, the experts intensively explored the role of ecosystem services
in coastal zones and between urban and rural areas.
Activities
An excursion to the low-laying coastal areas of Jakarta illustrated the
massive challenges for risk reduction and climate change adaptation not only
due to increasing natural hazards or sea level rise, but also due to land
subsidence and social vulnerability.
Besides presentations, the workshop also encompassed work in break-out
groups and a TV show where selected participants had to defend their research
proposal.
Outcomes
Key results of the workshop are three draft research proposals that
serve as an important background for the further enhancement of the twinning process
between UNU-EHS and LIPI. The workshop also provided an important opportunity
for exchange and for the establishment of a new research network that includes,
in addition to LIPI and UNU-EHS, other international experts.
Overall, the workshop and write shop are important activities for the
further enhancement of the active twinning process and for concrete joint
research activities in the next five years. The theme of the workshop offered links to a larger
initiative currently ongoing to establish a new set of shared socio-economic
pathways for climate change research.
