GCA CEO Delivers Annual Ban Ki-moon Chair Lecture and Launches Dual Doctorate Program at the University of Groningen
G
roningen, Netherlands, 17th October 2024 – Professor Patrick Verkooijen, CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), Ban Ki-moon Chair on Climate Adaptation Governance at the University of Groningen (RUG) and Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, delivered his annual Ban Ki-moon Chair Lecture at the University of Groningen (RUG) today, focusing on the urgent need for financing climate adaptation in today’s multipolar world. Titled “Bridging the Finance Gap: Climate Adaptation in a Multipolar World,” his lecture underscored the importance of innovative financial solutions and international cooperation to address the growing challenges posed by climate change.
Drawing on GCA’s extensive work, including initiatives like the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP), Professor Verkooijen highlighted the critical role of resilient infrastructure and nature-based solutions in climate adaptation. He called for an increase in financing to support these efforts, particularly in the Global South, where the need is most acute.
During the event, Professor Verkooijen announced the launch of a dual doctorate program between the University of Groningen and the University of Nairobi with Professor Tjalling Halbertsma, Dean at Campus Fryslân and Professor Johan Woltjer, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences. The program will host two PhD candidates from Nairobi, Gabriel Dinda and Mr. Hussein Hanti, for a one-year research visit to Groningen. The candidates will be co-supervised by faculty from both Campus Fryslân and the Faculty of Spatial Sciences, with Professor Verkooijen serving as a co-supervisor. The students will be embedded in GCA’s Research for Impact team, working on solutions to climate adaptation challenges.
“The launch of this dual doctorate program marks a pivotal step in fostering the next generation of climate adaptation leaders,” said Professor Verkooijen. “By uniting the academic excellence of the University of Groningen and the University of Nairobi, we are bridging North-South collaboration to tackle a challenge that knows no borders. Climate change demands global solutions, and through this partnership, we are equipping young scholars to generate and share research that will strengthen resilience for communities worldwide.”
Jouke de Vries, Chairman of the Executive Board at the University of Groningen said: “I commend our double doctorate programme in climate adaptation. I strongly believe that intensive, equitable cooperation between an international organisation such as GCA and research universities such as the University of Nairobi and the University of Groningen is the way forward. First of all, it will lead to high-quality research that really contributes towards solving grand challenges. Secondly, it will also benefit the individual candidates as well as the supervisors and the institutions involved. In fact, this is the very kind of cooperation that we wish to promote at the University of Groningen. I would like to thank GCA and the University of Nairobi once more for this wonderful opportunity. Best of luck to the candidates, Mr. Gabriel Dinda and Mr. Hussein Hant!”
The winner of GCA’s annual op-ed competition was also announced during the event. The winner, Marij Tolsma, a student in the University of Groningen Global Responsibility Program, will join GCA’s delegation to COP29 in Baku, offering her an unparalleled opportunity to participate in critical global climate discussions and further amplify her voice in climate adaptation advocacy.
In his role as CEO of GCA and Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, Verkooijen has championed academic collaboration and cross-institutional partnerships that equip students with the knowledge and tools to tackle climate change. This dual doctorate program is a prime example of his vision to align academic research with global climate adaptation priorities.
The day concluded with a celebration of Youth Climate Adaptation Action Day, with a presentation led by Adriana Valenzuela, GCA’s Youth Leadership and Education Officer. The event spotlighted youth-led initiatives and emphasized the critical role of young people in driving adaptation efforts globally.
