Date: Friday, 20 December 2024
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Venue: Heron Portico Hotel, Jakaya Kikwete Road, Nairobi and online
Partners: Rift Valley Institute & OSUN Hubs for Connected Learning Initiatives

Established in 1992, the Kakuma refugee camp has grown into one of the largest refugee settlements in the world, hosting more than 200,000 refugees from Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Burundi, and Rwanda. Communities in the camp face myriad challenges, including limited access to education and economic opportunities. These have been further exacerbated by adverse effects of climate change as the region experiences prolonged droughts and catastrophic floods, leading to increased food insecurity, disrupted livelihoods and displacement. Although significant research has been conducted on these issues, local knowledge and expertise often remain underrepresented in policy discussions.

Recognizing the importance of local knowledge in developing effective adaptation and mitigation strategies, the Rift Valley Institute (RVI), in collaboration with the Open Society University Network Hubs for Connected Learning Initiatives (OSUN-HUBS), has trained seven early career researchers (ECRs) from the Kakuma refugee camp to investigate climate-related issues within their communities. These ECRs completed a five-month training and mentorship programme focused on researching climate change, mobility and gender in the Horn of Africa.

On 20 December 2024, as these ECRs conclude their training, they will present their research findings at a public forum, bringing together experts to explore the role of local knowledge in climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as the research needs and opportunities in addressing climate change within refugee contexts.

The Research Communities of Practice (RCoP), RVI’s flagship initiative, supports the professional development of early career scholars across East and Central Africa through comprehensive training, mentorship, and dissemination of research outputs. Leveraging RVI’s long-standing experience and presence in the region, RCoP is a value-driven project rooted in a community of practitioners and scholars committed to amplifying the voices and capacity of ECRs.

Speakers

Fred Ikanda
Snr Lecturer & RCoP mentor, Maseno University

Mulki Mohammed
Early Career Researcher – Kakuma Refugee Camp
Research: Livelihoods and Prosperity in Kakuma Refugee Camp: Exploring self-reliance beyond economics.

Nyariel Udier Bol
Early Career Researcher – Kakuma Refugee Camp
Research: Barriers to Refugee Integration in Kakuma and Kalobeyei, north-west Kenya.

Alamin Jebirin
Early Career Researcher – Kakuma Refugee Camp
Climate Adaptation: Women and water scarcity strategies in Kakuma Refugee Camp, north-west Kenya

Be sure to secure your spot by registering through the ‘Register’ button below. 

Join us online via the Zoom link provided below.