Arizona State University and Conservation International Announce Long-Term Research and Education Collaboration
Honolulu, HI (PRWEB) September 06, 2016 -- Arizona State University (ASU) and global NGO Conservation International (CI) announced a new knowledge partnership today at the IUCN World Conservation Congress (WCC). The partnership will bring together scientists from both institutions to address the pressing challenges of sustainable development: minimizing the loss of biological diversity and natural capital while promoting economic growth that both improves livelihoods and fosters environmentally and socially responsible practices. This partnership is the first of its kind between a large public American university and a US-based international conservation nonprofit.
Over the course of the knowledge partnership, several scientists from Conservation International’s Moore Center for Science will become Professors of Practice at ASU, conducting research as well as teaching at the university. Scholars from ASU will contribute to research that is needed by CI’s partners implementing conservation actions and ASU students will have the opportunity to conduct projects in CI’s field sites. The partners will focus on protecting the nature that humanity needs, transitioning agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture to sustainable production methods through science, engagement and technology and training the next generation of conservation leaders. With an end goal of providing practical and actionable insights for government, private sector and civil society decision-makers, ASU and CI together will draw from the broad yet deep expertise from many fields across each institution.
ASU is a leading institution for interdisciplinary scholarship. ASU’s Center for Biodiversity Outcomes (CBO) is a partnership between the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability (GIOS) and the School of Life Sciences (SoLS) via partnerships with NGO’s, companies, and governmental organizations. “By working together, we are poised to tackle the complex and dynamic human-nature interactions, to demonstrate the importance of nature to economic planning and development, while addressing causes and consequences of ecosystem and biodiversity loss,” said CBO Founding Director and Professor Leah Gerber. “Both ASU and CI focus on taking research through to action; we will achieve greater impact on the complex challenges facing our environment through our collaboration and partnership.”
CI protects nature for the benefit of people through work in science, policy and partnerships. Its work in more than 30 countries is rooted in the understanding that conservation is an investment in humanity – and our future. “This partnership brings together the complementary strengths of two organizations to advance sustainability and address our planet’s most complex challenges through research, education and action,” said Daniela Raik, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Managing Director, The Betty and Gordon Moore Center for Science at CI. “Our shared research and knowledge will allow us to expand and deepen our impact while confronting the challenges of achieving food security, halting biodiversity loss and combating climate change.”
The official signing of the partnership will take place on September 6th during ASU’s Global Institute of Sustainability’s board meeting.
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About Arizona State University
Ranked #1 in the U.S. for innovation, Arizona State University (ASU) is a new model for American higher education, combining academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. It serves more than 70,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, AZ. ASU champions intellectual and cultural diversity, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe. ASU’s Center for Biodiversity Outcomes (CBO) is a partnership between the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability (GIOS) and the School of Life Sciences (SoLS) via partnerships with NGO’s, companies, and governmental organizations. Follow CBO’s work on Twitter.
About Conservation International
Conservation International (CI) uses an innovative blend of science, policy and partnerships to protect the nature people rely on for food, fresh water, and livelihoods. Founded in 1987, CI works in more than 30 countries on six continents to ensure a healthy, prosperous planet that supports us all. Learn more about CI and the "Nature Is Speaking" campaign, and follow CI's work on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
Kevin Connor, Conservation International, +1 7033412405, [email protected]
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