1. Background
Taking advantage of new digital tools for climate-friendly research and innovation, it is proposed to organize a forum through a series of scientific in-depth webinars (mostly virtual or hybrid) associating West-African, German and French representatives along common items using the three complementary angles. Those events could be based within a number of West African Hubs, involving African Universities/ Research Institutes with African Services/Authorities/Funders and potentially also WASCAL Competence Centre and Graduate Schools as locations.
The overall goals are to:
This first webinar aims to focus on, improvement of early warning system and adaptation measures for disaster risk reduction in the West African region and will be held at WASCAL, in the University of Lomé, Lomé, TOGO on September, 28, 2023. It will cover the following topics:
This hybrid webinar (in-situ and virtual) will be for one day. Attendees will be able to participate either on-site (physically) or virtual. The webinar will be divided into i) opening ceremony; ii) plenary session, iii) two parallel round table sessions (panel discussion). The plenary session will be made up of one moderator and 2 keynote speakers. Each panel session will be made up of one moderator and 6 speakers.
The webinar shall be in English and French languages. However, translations across both languages will be provided.
The organizations, institutions and groups targeted specifically to intend this webinar are: researchers, WMO, Red Cross, decision-makers, NGOs, Representatives of higher and school education, WASCAL graduate schools, National Emergency management agency (NEMA), National Meteorology and Hydrological agencies, West African Health Organization, relevant ministries and departments (hydro, agriculture, health, etc.) and agencies for policy guidelines, CoC scientists, WASCAL GSP students, and Alumina.
The Local Organizing Committee is in charge of the organisation and operationalization of the webinar in Lomé, Togo. This committee comprises, WASCAL Togo, University of Lomé, ANPC, ANAMET, Red Cross Togo, GIZ with the support of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, Ministry of security and civil protection, Ministry of the environment and Forest Resources, Ministry of Water and Village Hydraulics, Ministry of Maritime Economy, Fisheries and Coastal Protection. IRD and KIT are supporting institutions for this committee.