Climate Sense

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overnance

and

olicy

water resources, so is far from inexperienced in the process.

However, the organization of this particular training programme

has been something of a challenge due to the strong interdiscipli-

nary factor. Never the less, the overall experience has proven very

positive and it is obvious that this type of training programme

fulfils a need for many institutions in developing countries. In

Sweden it has meant new contacts and has also provided valu-

able new perspectives on the country’s own climate concerns.

Notably, in contrast to the challenges that poorer countries are

facing in relation to climate change, those of rich Nordic coun-

tries seem really quite manageable. The programme has also

resulted in a network forming between the participants and host

organizations, which will hopefully prove fruitful with regards

to future cooperation.

The concept of utilising individual projects and regional seminars

has created continuity and brought realism into the whole process.

It demands long-term engagement from the participants, as well

as commitments from their home organizations. It is also very

stimulating for SMHI staff to observe and learn from local climate

situations to gain an understanding of the conditions for mitigation

and adaptation in the participant countries. The indi-

vidual projects have covered a wide range of topics from

local educational programmes and local climate adap-

tation problems to long-term planning of mitigation

and adaptation strategies. The input from individual

projects to the course has contributed to its continuous

development and improvement, as it has given the host

organizations realistic and practical examples based on

the local conditions in participating countries.

Hosting some 30 people from mostly warm climate

zones in Sweden during four dark and cold winter

weeks has perhaps been the biggest challenge for

SMHI. However, in general, this social challenge has

been addressed superbly, with participants and the

SMHI staff engaging in various social activities, includ-

ing ice skating. Participants have also been invited to

the homes of staff members to experience the every-

day routines of Swedish living. This has brought a new

dimension into the lives of the participants, as well as

of the SMHI staff.

Excursion in the Thukela catchment – an agrarian area close to Pietermaritzburg – during the regional seminar in South Africa November 2007

Image: SMHI