Future Earth workshop – Mexico City Introduction Breakout session 2: Building a regional vision for Future Earth Group 2

What are current successes and challenges in delivering transdisciplinary research with stakeholders and collaboration across organizations and countries? How can Future Earth build on these? Overall, need more representation from the Caribbean Connect to Caribbean networks eg Uni of West Indies.

What infrastructure already exists and what is needed to coordinate Future Earth research? Very uneven capacity – systems nationally centred, not regional Large amount of programmes, but little connection Natural science infrastructure is relatively strong –eg. good MSc & PhD programmes in disasters –Sustainable energy – work done already in e.g. Brazil (biofuels), Mexico (solar), Costa Rica (hydro) etc. –Trans Andean mountain network –PRICA – adaptation and agriculture –INAP in Columbia on mountain adaptation

What infrastructure already exists and what is needed to coordinate Future Earth research? Weaker infrastructure for social science on GEC at regional level (except FLACSO&CLACSO). –ECLAC strong economics analysis – close collaboration with governments –CSS – Disaster mgmt and social science –CGIAR – CIAT(?) – agriculture (increasingly social science) –Bolivia has many networks – including on Traditional Ecological Knowledge –UN ISDR in Panama – being connected with IRDR – vulnerability and social issues, early warning –Many Mexican networks – eg on meteorological disasters, PINCC at UNAM interdisciplinary climate change Potential for Future Earth – need for comparative social science projects across regions Future Earth could do workshops for assessing capabilities and sharing experiences between countries on natural and social science. Need for thorough inventory of what is in place

. 3. How to build on existing activities in LAC in areas such as data, education and capacity building, communication, interface with stakeholders, etc.? There have been some good examples in the past, but many have ended. Need to remember and learn from these experiences. Future Earth could help with this. Data –OTCA – commitment of governments in sharing data for all countries sharing Amazon (though now emasculated). –There was a nascent network for Traditional knowledge in the Amazon – perhaps this could be resurrected. –CEILO – papers published in LAC made available

. 3. How to build on existing activities in LAC in areas such as data, education and capacity building, communication, interface with stakeholders, etc.? Stakeholders –Need to identify stakeholders and their respective needs. –Columbia example of knowledge dialogues, must integrate local and indigenous knowledge. Protocols in place – eg must ask permission from indigenous communities before working with them. Education and capacity building –Possibility of researchers being recognised as part of Future Earth; gives credibility –Need for masters on disasters in social science – unis in region meeting to discuss in Panama –UNICAMP course on food technology – brought together different nationalities – could be good example –Need for capacity building on engagement and communication, not just on research

What could be the form and functions of a Future Earth regional node/interface? Regional structure proposals: Central node in one country and then country nodes in each country (all in research institutions or universities, not in ministries or agencies) But note heterogeneity in region – need nodes for Central, Southern and Caribbean regions Needs to be very proactive and flexible