We have our eyes closed. 50 people in a circle. Outside. A breeze flows through the garden outside of the conference hall. The voice of Ana Magaia, a famous Mozambican artist, leads us to our grandmothers. An image of her carrying a bucket of water appears. What was the value of water to our ancesters? What could it be for our children? This was just one of many special moments, during our agenda-building workshop in Maputo, held last week.
During the last few months, a diverse project team of Mozambican experts has been working on a transition analysis of the water sector in Mozambican. Through a systemic lense, they identified how current structures are being pressured by climate change. And what should be addressed under the surface (socially, economically, culturally, politically, etc.) to move forward. During the Crutzen workshop on the 18th of June, the team presented their findings. Together with a group of dedicated professionals from different disciplines, we discussed how the outcomes link to their own realities. And how we can create actions that create systemic change.
What we experienced during the day:
· Open discussions between youth, senior academics and practitioners.
· Reflection and the willingness to learn from what hasn’t worked until now.
· Enthusiasm to stay involved and to create a coalition of the willing.
· Leadership to shape a knowledge-in-action agenda that makes a difference.
· Movement by connecting people’s knowledge to their hearts and dedication.
A big applause for the project team (Dinis Juízo, Alda Salomão, Clemêncio Nhantumbo, Genito Maure, Nícia Giva, André Machava) and all who have contributed to the workshop (Ana Magaia, Gércia Biza, Olga Mufanequisso, Katrien van Krieken, Azinaida Macomole).
Curious to know more? Soon we’ll share the transitions analysis and our next steps. For questions, please reach out to KINglobal@nwo.nl.
