At the root of the Edu-BioMed initiative is the need of establishing connections HEIs-BRs, HEIs-HEIs, BRsBRs and within a same HEI, as well as of strengthening the sharing of experiences between HEIs, BRs and public institutions. There are many ‘invisible barriers’ at different levels that make the various actors’ understanding of BRs reality fragmented and the HEIs’ work ineffective. Therefore, the main objective is the establishment of a ‘circuit of knowledge’ between and within different organizations, as well as Countries. Edu-BioMed enables the flow of information and experiences, ultimately strengthening the relations between HEIs and the wider socio-economic environment.
Task 1.1 consists in the measurement of the knowledge gap, the assessment of interdisciplinary synergies, the understanding of if and how BRs are studied
The main objective of Task 1.2 is to assess local BR stakeholder´s needs and the main problematic of the territories, so to orient the academic activity at targeted universities
Outcomes from WP1 were discussed in a series of workshops that were organized in Bzommar, Lebanon, in proximity of Jabal Moussa BR. The MedBRs-ERM Agenda is the product of such brainstorming sessions, where Partners agreed on all relevant issues to be taken into account for WP2 actions. The Agenda resumes the mind maps and the relevant discussions among Partners that were produced in Bzommar into a compendium of guidelines.
The Edu-BioMed Research Database released by the project aims to provide a reliable platform where updated information on Biosphere Reserves can be found.
The project has released a Citizens Science App in which citizens, academics, and Biosphere Reserve managing bodies collectively gather data from, and about, various territories.
The book, titled Mediterranean Biosphere Reserves: the nexus for environmental management, education and research, is organized into 16 chapters, and brings together the contributions of 50 authors, all members of the Edu-BioMed project. It is structured in two parts. Through 5 contributions, the first part focuses on the organizational and legal aspects of biosphere reserves, in connection with public policies and questions of research or education. The second part, which includes 11 texts, presents different case studies on both sides of the Mediterranean. This work also has the particularity of being resolutely part of the cross dynamics of Mediterranean biosphere reserves and is enriched by the points of view of actors in the field, Lebanese, Tunisian, Moroccan, French and Catalan academics.
Edu-BioMed project has worked to strengthen, foster and upgrade academic activity at four Moroccan and Lebanese universities in the context of Mediterranean Biosphere Reserves. Among its objectives, it has produced an online course, open accessible and available in English and French. Also, in both languages, is available a reusable version of the course, provided as a full course and as well module per module.
Baseline for Curricula Developments for Higher Education in Mediterranean Biosphere Reserves – Task 2.9
The upgrading of curricula at targeted HEIs is among the specific objectives of Edu-BioMed. The idea of Task 2.9 is to build the capacity of HEIs further to provide education in and around the topic of Biosphere Reserves and set the basis for future curricula development opportunities. In this report, a set of guidelines for higher education in Mediterranean Biosphere Reserves are presented with the aim to pave the way for future curricula developments in the field.
Frameworks and governance mechanisms in Biosphere Reserve management in Lebanon, Morocco, France and Spain. Policy Rewiew and Recommendations. Report from Task 1.3 & 2.10
The strengthening of the role of targeted HEIs as policy advisor is one among the specific objectives of Edu-BioMed. Partner HEIs wish to strengthen their capacity to provide policymakers with objective critiques to the legal and BR governance status quo on a scientific evidence-base.
List of Events
Participation in a panel within the Final conference of the project Biodiversity Protection (Co-funded in the framework of the programme InterregMed), 15 October 2019
Mediterranean Mobility Matters, Webinar organized in the framework of the Erasmus Days 2020, 15 October 2020
Edu-BioMed at Journés d’étude internationales “Education, Territoires et Environnements au temps de l’anthropocène”, June 17th&18th, 2021
Panel at the IUCN World Conservation Congress, 4 September 21
Presentation at the Virtual Fair of the Capacity Building in Higher Education, News – Page of the Virtual Fair – Recording, 27 October 2021
Participation at the 8ème édition Ecole Internationale de Recherche sur le thème : Biodiversité, Biotechnologies, Durabilité & Innovation, organisée par l’Université Ibn Zohr d’Agadir, 21 December 2021
Participation at Colloque International “L’arganier germera-t-il dans l’avenir ? L’arganeraie marocaine entre exploitation, valorisation et préservation”, organisé par Universiapolis, Université Internationale d’Agadir, 21 December 2021
Edu-BioMed case studies of the University of Cadi Ayyad in the Congrès International de l’Arganier // Agadir, May 10-13, 2022
Project Events
Webinar series to present Case studies at American University of Beirut developed with the support of the Edu-BioMed project, from January 19th to March 30th, 2022
Project webinar: Tools for Education &Research in & on Mediterranean Biosphere Reserves, 31 January 2022
Networking/dissemination event at Instituto Cervantes of Beirut w/ UNESCOMed Center, 25 February 2022 (co-organised with Fundacio Albertis)
Networking/dissemination event in RBIM, 3-6 March 2022