The Institut Méditerranéen pour la Transition Environnementale (ITEM), one of the 13 new institutes created by Aix-Marseille University, has made its creation official via a convivial event bringing together more than 180 researchers, teacher-researchers and engineers from a wide range of disciplines.
Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 January 2020
in the presence of Jean Jouzel Technopôle de l'Arbois - Aix-en-Provence
The Institut Méditerranéen pour la Transition Environnementale (ITEM), one of the 13 new institutes created by Aix-Marseille University, has made its creation official via a convivial event bringing together more than 180 researchers, teacher-researchers and engineers from a wide range of disciplines. The Mediterranean Institute for Environmental Transition (ITEM) aims to take up the challenge of adapting our society to environmental changes. This event publicly affirmed the objectives of the institute around three research axes:
- analysis of socio-environmental changes for a transition strategy ;
- resource management for environmental transition
- the resilience of companies to risks in a context of transition
After an introduction, the Stockholm Resilience Center Research Institute presented its good practices in the field of linking research and training for more than ten years of operation. Then, the participants were able to take part in small group workshops allowing an effective appropriation of the stakes of the ITEM institute. This event was enriched by the participation of Jean Jouzel - a world-renowned climatologist and major player in the debate on climate change and environmental transition - who spoke on the theme "The 2020s: the decade of transition? ». The Mediterranean Institute for Environmental Transition was presented to a large community and placed the trust and richness of collective reflection at the heart of its functioning. The frank and massive adhesion of the participants shows a great success : the debates are launched and augur very interesting collaborations like an incredible cohesion of the community around a future to be built together.
The Institut Méditerranéen pour la Transition Environnementale (ITEM) positions Aix-Marseille University at the international level and contributes to the implementation of Sustainable Development Objectives. With its Mediterranean roots, the institute proposes to develop interdisciplinary systemic research to understand the effects of global change on society and natural resources. ITEM is dedicated to the development of innovative solutions to better manage and anticipate natural and industrial risks, accompany the transformation of cities and develop original approaches to respond to complex socio-environmental issues.