Ponencia: Finding 'common languages' to communicate when tackling global challenges
In this talk, Dr Neil Stuart illustrates how different forms of communication, through maps, graphics, pictures and art can help us work together when we are trying to understand how many of the world’s biggest challenges, such as climate change, deforestation, migration or food security are being experienced locally. Because the effects vary in different parts of the world, to understand these problems, we need to work with people of many different cultures and knowledges. This often means overcoming ‘language barriers’, and finding other ways to communicate beyond spoken or written words. Using examples such protecting forests in Belize, and understanding how people manage volcano hazards in Guatemala, Neil explains how he had to find different ways to communicate with scientists, politicians, government officials, and communities who did not speak the same language. The talk emphasises the importance of finding means to communicate effectively with children and younger adults. The talk is aimed at high school or younger undergraduate students, emphasising that for them to become effective global citizens, this next generation of students need to develop a more rounded, ‘360 degree’ skill set, more than solely developing their linguistic abilities.