Maxwell African Scholars Union Presents: Dr. A.H. Peter Castro

Dr. A.H. Peter Castro Climate Change: Some Perspectives from East Africa Global climate change poses one of the greatest challenges confronting humanity in the 21st century. Major negotiations, planning efforts, investments, and programs are currently underway. There is the danger that these efforts will over-emphasize technical and financial approaches that may serve to further exacerbate problems faced by highly vulnerable and marginalized populations. This presentation will examine responses to increased climatic uncertainty among rural communities in eastern Amhara Region in Ethiopia, and West Darfur State in Sudan. It stresses the importance of recognizing and respecting local knowledge, capacities, interests, and, crucially, rights. In addition, efforts to address climate change need to be cognizant of the broader range of livelihood issues and challenges facing communities. Dr. Castro is an applied cultural anthropologist with research interests in the fields of rural development planning, natural resource management, agriculture, conflict management, rural socioeconomic change, and the history of applied anthropology. Most of his fieldwork experience is in East Africa – Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia. Dr. Castro has worked with the BASIS Greater Horn of Africa Collaborative Research Support Program, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), CARE, US Agency for International Development and UNDP in various capacities.