Day 1 – Co-Growth In-Person Week opens in Bertinoro with collaborative energy and actionable science

The first in-person day of the Sustainable Coastal Growth and Resilience course officially opened on Monday 7 April, at the CEUB (Residential Centre of the University of Bologna) in Bertinoro, Italy. The course, led by the Decade Collaborative Centre for Coastal Resilience, brings together early-career professionals, scientists, and institutional representatives for an entire week of transdisciplinary learning and peer exchange.

After an opening welcome and round of introductions, Ana Carolina Mazzuco, OTGA Project Coordinator and IODE Training Coordinator, offered brief remarks on the global relevance of capacity development within the UN Ocean Decade framework. The School’s co-directors then provided an overview of the week’s objectives and structure, emphasising collaboration, applied knowledge, and systems thinking.

Participants were then divided into interdisciplinary working groups to collaborate throughout the week on developing integrated coastal resilience case studies. A first team brainstorming session laid the foundations for the group work, with students exchanging perspectives and priorities based on their diverse professional backgrounds.

The afternoon featured the first expert contribution of the week: Giovanni Coppini (CMCC) delivered an engaging presentation titled “Actionable Science for Coastal Resilience” highlighting the importance of linking scientific research with decision-making and community needs. The session was also attended remotely by online participants, reinforcing the course’s hybrid and inclusive format.

The day concluded with a second team session, where groups began outlining potential approaches to their assigned case studies. The collaborative spirit and energy of the participants set a dynamic tone for the week ahead.