In a new project entitled 'Joining forces in developing a program of hope as response to climate change', the University of Twente and VU Amsterdam are collaborating on research into hope in times of climate change.
The application for a joint interdisciplinary project (design, theology and psychology) of 35,000 euros was recently awarded funding. Researchers involved include Ernst Bohlmeijer (University of Twente), Marjoleine van der Meij (Athena Institute, VU) and Jan Jorrit Hasselaar (Amsterdam Centre for Religion & Sustainable Development, VU) and Johan Roeland (Associate Professor, VU). This project investigates what hope, partly derived from the work of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, can mean in responses to climate change.
Hope in times of climate change
Hoop is then about a journey in which involved parties, with often conflicting interests in the present, learn to take responsibility together for a shared future. This can also be used as an alternative to the increasing polarization in society on various issues. The researchers work from an interdisciplinary, scientific and practical perspective in order to learn to deal with complexity, vulnerability and radical uncertainty in climate change. As an example, the researchers look at how Amsterdam deals with climate adaptation and the experience of Cape Town is also used as a case study. The project is expressed in various expertmeetings, interaction with education at UT and VU and a final symposium with proposals for follow-up.