University Network delivers first capacity building workshop on adaptation finance and risk management in Nairobi, Kenya
From 27-31 March 2023, the University Network for Strengthening Macrofinancial Resilience to Climate and Environmental Change) convened the first Adaptation Finance and Risk Management Workshop co-organised with the Resilience and Adaptation Mainstreaming Program (RAMP) led by the World Resources Institute (WRI).
The workshop was attended by more than 50 academics representing seven of the Network’s nine partner universities: the University of Nairobi, the University of Ghana, the University of Dar es Salaam, Makerere University, the Independent University Bangladesh, the University of Economics, Ho Chi Minh City, and SOAS University of London which hosts the Network Secretariat. Academics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the University of Rwanda were also in attendance.
The workshop delivered training on four core courses developed by experts on behalf of the University Network:
- Understanding climate-related macrofinancial risk (Dr Yannis Dafermos, SOAS)
- Adaptation finance (Gaia Larsen and Carter Brandon, WRI)
- Disaster risk finance (Emily Montier)
- Climate budgeting and public financial management (Shanaz Broermann)
Over the course of 4-days, participants worked through key debates and concepts in each of the courses, shared their expertise on the issues, discussed the pedagogical delivery of materials, and presented their own work in research showcases.
The workshop was opened with addresses from Prof Stephen Kiama, Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, Wanjira Mathai, Managing Director for Africa and Global Partnerships at WRI, Dr Rose Ngugi, Executive Director of the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA), Carter Brandon, Senior Fellow at WRI, and Dr Harald Heubaum, Deputy Academic Director of the University Network. Speakers emphasised the innovative nature of the RAMP approach, highlighting the critical role of universities as agents of change, and pointed to the need for effective and sustained capacity building efforts in the interplay between universities and government ministries of finance and economics.
Closing the workshop, Prof Ulrich Volz, Academic Director of the University Network, pointed to the next steps for the Network, including the refinement and further development of course materials, the establishment of virtual training capacities and a research facility to support partner university academics. The University Network is set to expand both its offerings and its membership in the months to come, working closely with existing and future university members and technical partners.
The University Network for Strengthening Macrofinancial Resilience to Climate and Environmental The Network is managed by a Secretariat hosted by the Centre for Sustainable Finance at SOAS, University of London. The Secretariat leads on the development of the Network, coordinates with relevant stakeholders, commissions the development of teaching material, and organises exchange and capacity building activities. A steering committee comprising senior academics from member universities and relevant stakeholders provides guidance and advice.
