Courses within the scope of the 3rd International Conference on Climate and Development in Arid, Semi-arid, and Dry Subhumid Regions – ICID III
September 12th and 13th, 2025
Organization
French Embassy in Brazil
Counselor for Joint Action and Cultural Cooperation: Sophie Jacquel
We work in four specific sectors: arts and culture, French language and education; higher education, science and innovation; governance (modernization of the State, human rights, and justice); and global issues (sustainable development and health).
Our teams are located in several capital cities and have a regional focus: Brasília (for the North and Center-West regions), São Paulo (for the South), Recife (for the Northeast), Rio de Janeiro (for the Southeast), and Belo Horizonte (for the state of Minas Gerais).
We also have two thematic offices in São Paulo with national focus: one for cinema and audiovisual, and the other for books, debates, and contemporary music.
We work in partnership with a large French network in Brazil: Alliances Françaises, Campus France, Lycées Français, the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), the Research Institute for Development (IRD), the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), the French Development Agency (AFD), and Business France.
IRD - Research Institute for Development
Current Representative in Brazil: Abdelfettah Sifeddine
The Research Institute for Development (IRD) is a French public institution that has been operating in Brazil for over 60 years in partnership with institutions such as UFF, USP, FUNCEME, UFAM, and UERJ, promoting research, training, and innovation in collaboration with universities, government agencies, and scientific centers.
Its actions focus on topics such as climate change, water resources, biodiversity, land use, food security, environmental health, natural hazards, and social justice, always with a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals.
The IRD is involved in dozens of projects with Brazilian institutions, mainly funded by CNPq, CAPES, FAPs, and ABC. Around 15 IRD researchers are active in the country. The representation office is based in Brasília, supporting institutional strategies and partnerships.
Since September 2023, the IRD representative in Brazil has been geologist Abdelfettah Sifeddine, a specialist in climate variability, with 30 years of experience at the institute and a long track record in scientific cooperation with Latin American countries.
CIRAD - Agricultural Research Center for Development
Representante atual no Brasil: Pierre Marraccini
CIRAD (the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development) is a French public institution that has been operating in Brazil for over 40 years, promoting agricultural research focused on sustainable development in tropical regions.
With around 15 expatriate researchers, CIRAD maintains partnerships with institutions such as Embrapa, federal and state universities, and specialized research centers.
Its activities cover the Amazon, the semi-arid Northeast, and other regions, focusing on topics such as agroecological transition, territorial water management, rural public policies, crop genetic improvement, and sustainable management of planted forests.
CIRAD also helps train about 50 master’s and PhD students annually and participates in research platforms and environmental observatories. Its regional office for Brazil and Southern Cone countries is located in Brasília.
CIRAD’s regional office for Brazil and the Southern Cone countries is located in Brasília and is headed by Pierre Marraccini.
FUNCEME - Ceará Foundation for Meteorology and Water Resources
Responsible: Eduardo Martins
FUNCEME is a research institute linked to the Government of the State of Ceará, with a prominent role in meteorology, water resources, and the environment. Since the 1990s, it has led research and studies to support decision-making and public policies in environment, water resources, agriculture, and infrastructure across various temporal and spatial scales.
The institution coordinates and participates in national and international research networks, supported by agencies such as CNPq, FINEP, FUNCAP, ANA, CGEE, PETROBRAS, Federal Government Ministries, the World Bank, NSF (USA), the European Union, IRD, and CIRAD (France).
FUNCEME collaborates in international initiatives such as the World Bank’s Drought Preparedness Program, operating in countries like Angola, Bolivia, Kenya, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Tanzania, Egypt, and Jordan, as well as the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) Integrated Drought Management Program and the Global Water Partnership (GWP).
Its technical staff have acted as speakers at national and international forums, such as the Federal Senate of Brazil, the National Water Agency, the BRICS Water Forum, and the World Bank’s Water Week.
Trainings
This event offers 10 trainings held during the three days prior to the 3rd International Conference on Climate and Development in Semi-Arid Regions (ICID III), addressing crucial topics to face environmental challenges in arid regions. Each course is designed to equip professionals, students, and community members with specific knowledge and skills, promoting innovative and evidence-based approaches. Below, we detail the courses with their respective focuses:
AXIS I – Climate, Soils, and Environment
Trainings on ocean and climate, impacts of climate change, soil monitoring, and drought management.
AXIS II – Water Resources
Training on water quality in arid and semi-arid zones.
AXIS III – Agriculture and Sustainability
Trainings on agroecology, biodiversity, and bioeconomy in arid and semi-arid zones.
AXIS IV – Databases and Artificial Intelligence
Trainings on data and artificial intelligence.
AXIS V – Traditional Knowledge and Science
Training in heritage and ancestry.
AXIS VI – Communication and Scientific Dissemination
Training in scientific communication and environmental journalism.
Contact
Event Location
AXIS I – Climate, Soils and Environment
Axis Description
This axis addresses crucial topics related to Climate, Soils and Environment, focusing on sustainable solutions and climate change adaptation.
Available Courses
- [E1C1] Oceans and Climate: Fundamentals of Numerical Modeling
- [E1C2] Impacts of Climate Change and Desertification
- [E1C3] Drought and Desertification: Managing Risks, Evaluating Solutions and Public Policies
- [E1C4] Soils and Desertification: Soil Monitoring, Health Assessment and Restoration
- [E1C5] Weather, Climate and Health: Current and Future Risks
Training Dates
September 12 and 13, 2025
AXIS II – Water Resources
Axis Description
Focus on the management and quality of water resources in arid and semi-arid regions, addressing technical and practical aspects.
Available Courses
Training Dates
September 12 and 13, 2025
AXIS III – Agriculture and Sustainability
Axis Description
Covers sustainable production and environmental conservation practices, focusing on agroecology and bioeconomy.
Available Courses
- [E3C1] Agroecology in Arid Zones
- [E3C2] Biodiversity and Bioeconomy for Local Communities
- [E3C3] Agrosilvopastoralism in the Ceará Semi-Arid Region: An Interdisciplinary Perspective
Training Dates
September 12 and 13, 2025
AXIS IV – Database and Artificial Intelligence
Axis Description
Training in data technologies and artificial intelligence applied to environmental and climate contexts.
Available Courses
Training Dates
September 12 and 13, 2025
AXIS V – Traditional Knowledge and Science
Axis Description
Integration between Indigenous traditional knowledge and modern science for sustainable solutions.
Available Courses
Training Dates
September 12 and 13, 2025
AXIS VI – Science Communication and Outreach
Axis Description
Training in science communication and environmental journalism to improve the dissemination of research and discoveries.
Available Courses
Training Dates
September 12 and 13, 2025
[E1C1] Oceans and Climate: Fundamentals of Numerical Modeling
Course Description
This course introduces the fundamentals of numerical modeling applied to oceans and climate, covering time scales, climate, decadal and climate change. Participants will learn to set up experiments using the DREAMS model (Dynamical Research Empirical Atmospheric Model), which uses spectral primitive equations with empirical forcings, being especially useful for seasonal precipitation forecasts in northeastern Brazil (February to April). The course emphasizes preparing students and experts to carry out experiments that integrate climate signals and hydrological models, supporting agricultural and energy risk management (DREAMS).
Instructor
Coming soon
Coming soon
Target Audience
Students and climate experts
Date and Time
September 12 and 13, 2025
[E1C2] Impacts of Climate Change and Desertification
Course Description
Analysis of the impacts of climate change and desertification processes in different regions, focusing on adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Instructor
Coming soon
Coming soon
Target Audience
Environmental professionals
Date and Time
September 12 and 13, 2025
[E1C3] Drought and Desertification: Managing Risks, Evaluating Solutions and Public Policies
Course Description
This course analyzes proactive strategies to manage drought and desertification risks, based on Brazilian experiences, especially in the Northeast. It addresses initiatives such as the Drought Monitor, which produces monthly maps to support decisions, and Drought Preparedness Plans, which link drought categories to specific actions.
The importance of climate forecasting and institutional coordination, such as the Center of Excellence in Water and Drought Policy (CEPAS), is highlighted to strengthen resilience (CGEE).
Instructor
Coming soon
Coming soon
Target Audience
Public managers, technicians and researchers in water resources management
Date and Time
September 12 and 13, 2025
[E1C4] Soils and Desertification: Soil Monitoring, Health Assessment and Restoration
Course Description
The course focuses on the recovery of degraded areas through soil health monitoring. It teaches techniques to assess soil indicators and identify the ideal time to introduce productive activities such as agriculture in restored areas.
Community restoration programs will be highlighted, promoting environmental and economic sustainability.
Instructor
Coming soon
Coming soon
Target Audience
Agronomists, agricultural technicians and environmental managers
Date and Time
September 12 and 13, 2025
[E1C5] Weather, Climate and Health: Current and Future Risks
Course Description
This course explores the intersection between weather, satellite data and health, analyzing the impacts of extreme weather conditions and climate change on public health, focusing on current and future risks. Aimed at health professionals, environmental managers and researchers, the course addresses how climate events such as droughts, heavy rainfall and heatwaves influence disease incidence and quality of life.
Diseases grouped by typology will be discussed:
- Vector-Borne Diseases (e.g., dengue, zika and leishmaniasis)
- Respiratory Diseases (e.g., asthma, bronchitis and other lung conditions worsened by poor air quality, pollution and dust in arid regions or during prolonged droughts)
- Water-Related Diseases (e.g., cholera and leptospirosis, associated with floods and water contamination)
- Heat-Sensitive Diseases (Heatstroke and dehydration)
The course combines climate modeling, satellite data and case studies, such as the 2012–2018 drought in northeastern Brazil, to propose mitigation strategies, monitoring and public policies that promote health resilience in the face of climate change.
Instructor
Coming soon
Coming soon
Target Audience
Health professionals, environmental managers and researchers
Date and Time
September 12 and 13, 2025
[E2C1] Water Quality: Satellite Data
Course Description
Aimed at professionals interested in water resources, this course trains participants in the use of satellite data to obtain quantitative and qualitative information about water bodies. Participants will learn how to integrate this data with water quality models, as well as discuss technological advances and opportunities for international cooperation for large-scale water monitoring.
Instructor
Coming soon
Coming soon
Target Audience
Water resources professionals, environmental managers and researchers
Date and Time
September 12 and 13, 2025
[E3C1] Agroecology in Arid Zones
Course Description
Presents concepts and techniques of agroecology adapted to arid zones, such as efficient water management and drought-resistant crops. The course promotes agricultural practices that preserve biodiversity and increase resilience in water-scarce regions, with practical implementation examples.
Instructor
Coming soon
Coming soon
Target Audience
Farmers, extension workers and agricultural technicians
Date and Time
September 12 and 13, 2025
[E3C2] Biodiversity and Bioeconomy for Local Communities
Course Description
Explores how biodiversity can be used sustainably to generate economic benefits for local communities and traditional peoples. The course discusses bioeconomy models that value environmental conservation, promoting sustainable development and social inclusion.
Instructor
Coming soon
Coming soon
Target Audience
Local communities, traditional peoples and environmental managers
Date and Time
September 12 and 13, 2025
[E3C3] Agrosilvopastoralism in the Ceará Semi-Arid Region: An Interdisciplinary Perspective
Course Description
Will address the research conducted by researchers in the Tauá/Parambu region with farmers, associating analyses on management, organic matter and ways of life. The aim is to question, together with participants, the durability of the studied models, considering both socioeconomic and environmental aspects, and to reflect on the contemporary determinants of durability in the semi-arid region.
Instructor
Coming soon
Coming soon
Target Audience
Farmers, researchers and rural extension agents
Date and Time
September 12 and 13, 2025
[E4C1] Data and Artificial Intelligence Applied to Climate and Environment
Course Description
The course teaches the application of data and artificial intelligence in meteorology, hydrology and the environment. Participants will explore techniques for analyzing large datasets and predictive modeling to improve climate and impact forecasts, as well as environmental monitoring, with practical examples of AI in real-world contexts.
Instructor
Coming soon
Coming soon
Target Audience
Data scientists, meteorologists and environmental professionals
Date and Time
September 12 and 13, 2025
[E5C1] Heritage and Ancestral Knowledge
Course Description
Focused on integrating the knowledge of Indigenous peoples into scientific research and public policies, the course promotes intercultural dialogue. It teaches how to involve Indigenous communities in policy formulation, valuing their traditional knowledge to face climate and environmental challenges.
Instructor
Coming soon
Coming soon
Target Audience
Researchers, policy makers and community leaders
Date and Time
September 12 and 13, 2025
[E6C1] Training in Journalism and Science Communication
Course Description
Aimed at journalists and communicators, the course develops skills to communicate topics on climate, climate change, environment and water resources in an accessible way. It addresses communication techniques, fact-checking and strategies to engage the general public in scientific issues.
Instructor
Coming soon
Coming soon
Target Audience
Journalists, communicators and science communicators
Date and Time
September 12 and 13, 2025