The Center for International Studies (CEI-Iscte) was present at the European Researchers’ Night, which took place on September 27, 2024, at the National Museum of Natural History and Science.
In this edition of ERN, dedicated to Science for Global Challenges, CEI-Iscte was present with two activities, one linked to Sustainability in Green Spaces and the other within the scope of the MYNA project – Mystical Natures: Exploring connections between environmental and religious changes in Mongolia.
NEI is an initiative funded by the European Union through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. The SCIGLO – Science for Global Challenges consortium, of which Iscte and oCEI are members, is coordinated by the University of Lisbon and, in addition to the capital, also organises activities in the cities of Braga, Coimbra and Évora.
In the Sustainability Challenges in Green Spaces activity run by researcher Cristina Sousa, the participants observed green spaces and discussed sustainability challenges, debating potential solutions. The 16 participants’ observations highlighted several aspects that could be improved regarding the use of the green spaces, namely a better irrigation system, the use of more varied vegetation, a lack of incentives for recycling, poor accessibility, a lack of shade and poor energy efficiency.
In the second activity, A taste of the global drylands through the sweet and salty milk teas of Kenyan and Mongolian pastoralists, led by researcher Joana Roque de Pinho, the audience had the opportunity to taste two types of tea, one sweet and one savory, with milk that are essential in the daily lives of Kenyan and Mongolian pastoralists. At the same time, they watched a slide show about the daily life of Maasai and Mongolian pastoralists and asked questions. This activity was also to publicise the MYNA project, funded by FCT (Ref. PTDC/SOC ANT/2990/2020).
