The School for Climate Studies, in collaboration with of CliMigHealth, the international Thematic Network at Ghent University, will be hosting a summer school to explore the critical nexus of climate change, migration, and health. The summer school will take place from the 20 – 24 January 2025 at the School of Climate Studies of Stellenbosch University.
Key information
Dates: 20 – 24 January 2024
Times: 09:00 – 16:30 (excluding tea and lunch breaks)
Programme: Click here for detailed programme
Presenters: The programme and presenters are coordinated by Dr Christian Lueme (SU Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences and Climighealth Hub), Dr Charlotte Scheerens (Gent University, ClimigHealth Hub), and Prof Guy Midgley (SU School for Climate Studies).
Format: In-person classes, with some facilitators delivering their sessions online.
Venue: Natural Sciences Building, Merriman Avenue, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch
Target Audience: The course is aimed at senior postgraduate students (Masters and PhD) and researchers who are interested in research and policy that looks into the interaction between climate and environmental change, human (and animal) migration patterns, and the impacts on human health, focused on the African continent.
Cost: R1990
- Includes course materials and tea but excludes daily meals to keep costs at a minimum.
- The Neelsie student centre on campus is close by and offers a range of affordable meal options.
Course overview
As global warming approaches dangerous tipping points that could exacerbate migration and strain health systems, immediate action is imperative. Climate change serves as a “threat multiplier,” anticipated to increase displacement, especially in the Global South and Africa, through both abrupt and gradual environmental shifts. Migration decisions and patterns are influenced by factors such as socio-economic status, social networks, and legal barriers. Climate mobility takes various forms, from rural-urban migration to international displacement, affecting livelihoods and sometimes resulting in immobility. The health ramifications of climate-driven migration are significant, affecting infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and mental health, and often placing the most vulnerable in areas with limited healthcare access. Ensuring that health services adapt to meet the evolving needs of both stationary and mobile populations is crucial for achieving SDG3 in the context of climate change and migration.
The summer school is a comprehensive educational program designed to explore the interconnectedness of climate change, human migration, and health outcomes. This summer school delves into the multifaceted impacts of global climate change, particularly focusing on how it drives migration patterns and influences public health. Participants will engage with a range of topics, including strategies for mitigating the adverse effects of climate change, adapting to its inevitable consequences, and managing the loss and damage causes. The curriculum is structured to provide a deep understanding of these complex interrelations and to equip students with practical skills and strategies to address these global challenges. Through a blend of theoretical knowledge and case studies, the summer school aims to foster a holistic understanding, enabling participants to contribute effectively to policymaking, humanitarian efforts, and sustainable development initiatives in the face of these pressing global issues.
Objective
The main goal is to jointly organize a summer school on the climate-migration-health nexus with our partners from the CliMigHealth network at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. This initiative will convert our collaborative research into educational content for master’s and PhD students across the Western Cape and broader African region.
Unlike the previous seasonal school held at Ghent University, this event will be restructured to facilitate in-person participation for our African collaborators, who previously could not attend due to high travel costs to Europe. The summer school will explore the critical nexus of climate change, migration, and health, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG3) on ensuring health for all.
The course will be hosted at the School of Climate Studies of Stellenbosch University, a structural collaboration partner of CliMigHealth, the international Thematic Network at Ghent University, which aims to integrate diverse expertise and represent the Global South through strengthening research, education, and knowledge translation (https://www.climighealth.org/). The School of Climate Studies hosts CliMigHealth’s Africa hub, which is a regional platform of our network to facilitate research and education in the African region.
For more information, contact Ashleen Fortuin at afortuin@sun.ac.za or Dr Christian Lueme at christianl@sun.ac.za
Register here