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On June 27, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, the iconic Teatro Thalia in Lisbon hosted the event “Transformative Knowledge: Science and Policy for TERRA”, an initiative promoted by the TERRA Associate Laboratory. This forum reinforced the connection between scientific production and public policy development, with a special focus on strategic areas such as the environment, health, land management, and spatial planning.
The event gained particular relevance at a time when ecological and social challenges are becoming increasingly complex, demanding structured, interdisciplinary approaches supported by rigorous knowledge. The opening session featured remarks by Teresa Ferreira, Chair of the TERRA Coordinating Council; Madalena Alves, President of the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT); Cecília Rodrigues, Vice-Rector of the University of Lisbon; and Rui Ladeira, Secretary of State for Forests — all demonstrating strong institutional commitment to this agenda.
Throughout the day, national researchers and policymakers exchanged ideas on concrete ways to mobilize scientific knowledge in transforming public policy, contributing to more informed, effective, and equitable governance. Key highlights from the morning included Carolina Gameiro Nogueira, Deputy Director of PLANAPP, who discussed building bridges between science and public administration; Marion Dupoux, policy analyst at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the Knowledge4Policy (K4P) platform, who explored behavioral approaches to implementing environmental policy; and José Paulo Sousa, researcher at CFE-TERRA, who emphasized the importance of partnerships between academia and public entities in promoting soil sustainability.
TERRA’s Executive Director, Paulo Branco, stressed the importance of engaging and creating bridges between academia and political institutions, setting the stage for one of the event’s key moments: the signing of ten Memoranda of Understanding between TERRA and ten national public entities — APA, ApC, AGIF, DGADR, DGAV, DGS, DGT, GPP, ICNF, and IPMA — all with direct responsibilities in environmental, agricultural, and territorial governance. These agreements formally establish the Public Policy Council, an institutional network for permanent collaboration aimed at applying scientific knowledge in support of sustainable development and collective well-being.
© TERRA Associate Laboratory
In the afternoon, the program continued with two thematic roundtables. The first, focused on land use sustainability, was moderated by Helena Freitas (CFE-TERRA) and featured discussions on collaborative spatial planning, biological pest control, and landscape intervention strategies. The second roundtable, moderated by Teresa Ferreira, focused on the intersections between sustainable food systems, public health, and urban resilience to climate change, exploring pathways toward more integrative and regenerative urban living.
This event provided an open, multidisciplinary space for dialogue, bringing together researchers, policymakers, technical experts, and civil society representatives. By organizing this forum, the TERRA Associate Laboratory reaffirmed its mission to serve as a strategic bridge between science, society, and governance — offering knowledge-based solutions for today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. The significance of the initiative goes beyond the exchange of ideas; it represents a concrete commitment to the development of transformative public policies, informed by scientific evidence and guided by values of justice, equity, and sustainability.
Watch the video featuring key moments of the event (in portuguese):
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DOI 10.54499/LA/P/0092/2020
Copyright Labterra 2024 © By Ação360
DOI 10.54499/LA/P/0092/2020