Australia-Argentina Research Dialogues
webinar
On Monday, August 26, 2024, the second webinar was held as part of the Australia-Argentina Research Dialogues . The first webinar, held in March, focused on Sustainability and Climate Change. The Australia-Argentina Research Dialogues project is led by Professor Esteban Giandomenico , who has a professional background in Australian universities and organizations. He is currently a professor at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies (CEI) and a member of the Platform for Environmental and Sustainable Studies (PEAS), which is part of the CEI and was established by Resolution No. 3074/2020.
This time, the meeting sought to promote understanding of the common environmental and health challenges posed by forest and grassland fires in Australia and Argentina.
For the occasion the UNR (Universidad Nacional de Rosario), UNCuyo (Universidad Nacional de Cuyo), ICBA (Cardiovascular Institute of Buenos Aires), together with the Department of Education of the Australian Government, the Australian Embassy in Argentina, and the University of Melbourne represented by the Flare Wildfire Research Group, joined forces to hold this excellent event.
The Director of the UNR Environmental Studies Platform, Dr. Aristides Pochettino He gave words of welcome and presented the actions that are being carried out by the university in the metropolitan area. Dr. Bettina Bongiovanni, presented his research work on behalf of the Universidad Nacional de Rosario in relation to the burning of wetlands in the Paraná Delta, opposite the city of Rosario.
On behalf of UNCuyo, Vice-Rector Gabriel Fidel gave the welcoming remarks and explained how his university collaborates with other national and international universities. Gabriela Lúquez, Secretary General of the UNCuyo Institute of Environmental Sciences, moderated the question and answer session and summarized the topics presented.
Dr. Mariano Benzadon , from ICBA (Cardiovascular Institute of Buenos Aires), presented clearly and concisely the impacts and risks that these types of natural events, such as forest and grassland fires, pose to health.
Dr. Trent Penman from the University of Melbourne explained how his research group investigates all aspects of forest and grassland fires, including forecasting events and their magnitude, and ways to reduce their occurrence and/or scale. “Excellent presentation, Dr. Trent!” exclaimed Professor Esteban Giandomenico.
“I would like to thank all the people who have been involved in putting on this excellent event, my colleagues from the Department of Education of the Government of Australia, and the Australian Embassy in Argentina,” said the professor.
Giandomenico added: “International collaboration is essential to achieve success in sustainable development, public policies, and above all in mitigation/adaptation to climate change, especially in education, research and policy development,” concluded Giandomenico, on this issue that is as relevant as it is urgent.
