27 May 2026

14.00-15.30 

Policy Roundtable

Advancing integrated climate–security responses: the role of local institutions, youth, and gender in flood-prone western Burundi

Venue: Permanent Representation of Belgium to the EU, Belliardstraat 65, 1040 Brussels

Registration

Climate change, environmental degradation, conflict and peace are inextricably related. The impacts of climate change affect everyone, but they are much stronger in fragile contexts. On the one hand, the resulting increased competition for scarce resources is a conflict driver, while at the same time people in fragile settings are more vulnerable to climate shocks and have less means to build resilience. On the other hand, mitigation and adaptation action by the communities and authorities is complicated by existing conflict dynamics and inequalities.

In collaboration with Search for Common Ground, the University of Ghent and its local researchers have done extensive research in Burundi, more specifically in the delta region of Gatumba, which is an important economic hub at the border crossing between Uvira in the DRC and Bujumbura in Burundi.

As such, it presents a rich case study to learn from, for peace, humanitarian, development, and climate adaptation audiences, and offers a valuable opportunity to bring attention to a country often overlooked in both climate debates and Great Lakes regional discussions. How do local and national powerholders react? What could international actors do to support the local communities, including youth and women, in a way that is conflict-sensitive? How can the new Belgian guidelines for international climate action and the EU’s climate security agenda be concretely implemented in such a context?

Note that the event will take place exclusively in person and will be conducted in both French and English, without interpretation.

Please be aware that space is limited. We kindly ask you to complete your registration here by 15 May. In the event that you signed up and are no longer able to attend, we would greatly appreciate it if you could inform us as soon as possible, by sending an email to Clémentine Dupont (cdupont@sfcg.org).

Provisional programme

Moderation: Dr Inge Brees, Policy and Outreach Manager, Search for Common Ground

13.30: Registration and networking coffee

14.00: Opening remarks and setting the scene

14.15: First panel: The role of local institutions in Gatumba, Burundi: Dr. Tomas Van Acker and Jean-Paul Nizigiyimana, University of Ghent, followed by an open discussion with participants

14.45: Second panel: Climate change, gender, and youth in Gatumba, Burundi: Prof. María Martín de Almagro and Jenny Irakoze, University of Ghent, followed by an open discussion with participants

15.15: Key take-aways and closing remarks by Search for Common Ground

To register, click HERE.