SPA Authors Mobilize Students During the Summer 2022 Global Columbia Collaboratory

This summer, the Science Panel for the Amazon is excited to partner with Columbia University on holding a Global Columbia Collaboratory, providing a small group of students with a virtual forum for learning about Amazonian issues from international experts and peers around the world. During the Summer 2022 Global Columbia Collaboratory, students can learn from sustainability experts, preeminent scientists, and local Amazon activist-practitioners about the current state of the Amazon ecosystem, its peoples, and its communities.

The first session was held on June 13th where SDSN President Jeffrey Sachs, SPA Coordinator Emma Torres, SPA Co-Chair Carlos Nobre, and other SPA authors gave an overview of the state of the Amazon ecosystem, current trends, and their implications for the long-term well-being of the region, as well as opportunities and policy relevant options for conservation and sustainable development. The second session on June 23 provided the students with an opportunity to understand how the geodiversity of the Amazon has evolved over three billion years of history. The third session, held on June 27th, presented the significant ideas, actors, and practices that have shaped the Amazon’s current development and deforestation dynamics, and highlighted how Amazonians have continuously adapted to changing circumstances while fighting to advance their own proposals for conservation and equity in development. The last remaining session will be held on July 7th, where the authors will discuss the solutions found in the Amazon Assessment Report and sustainable pathways for the region.

Through these four seminars given by experts and locals in the field, small group meetings, and a collaborative project as a deliverable, students are reflecting, ideating, and collaborating to learn, discuss, and raise awareness about the state of the Amazon region. The collaboratory’s aim is to raise awareness of Amazonian issues and involve a diverse group of students, with 19% of students located in Asia, 19% in Europe, 33% in North America, and 30% in South America. While the course activities are for enrolled students, the four seminars have been made available for the general public to view and attend as well! To attend the seminars that remain, you can register to attend virtually as well as view past sessions on the Columbia Global Center youtube channel.