Bridging Worlds: Cultivating Research Partnerships for Climate Hope

Time: Tue Nov 4, 2025, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Location: São Paulo, Brazil

As the world looks to Brazil for COP30, faculty and business leaders are invited to join the University of Notre Dame in São Paulo, Brazil for a Pre-COP Conference to help shape the conversation before the world gathers in Belém. The University is convening thought leaders, scholars, and changemakers at this critical moment to deepen its commitment to global dialogue for sustainability and reflect on its mission to be a force for good—locally and globally. Learn more about Notre Dame's engagement with COP.

Notre Dame Global and Notre Dame São Paulo, look to strengthen their partnerships in Brazil by hosting this conference together with the Notre Dame Club of Brazil, Notre Dame Research, the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethic Leadership (NDDCEL), and Notre Dame Environmental Change Initiative (ND-ECI).

Attendees can expect to:

   ⇒ Build and strengthen research collaborations and partnerships with colleagues from around Brazil

   ⇒ Network with industry experts who have an interest in sustainability

   ⇒ Represent University of Notre Dame as a panelist at USP’s Bora Preserva event

Participation is open to anyone interested; register is required. Limited financial support is available, which can be applied for via the registration form.

Apply for the Bridging Worlds Pre-COP Conference

Learn more about Notre Dame and the COP

Themes & Topics

This 2-day convening aims to build and strengthen research collaborations, engaging the Brazilian research community in partnership with faculty from the University of Notre Dame. Research sessions will be themed and focus on advancing research partnerships aligned with the University of Notre Dame’s strategic priorities, which includes Just Transitions to Sustainability.

We are particularly interested in the following themes:

1. Climate Risk Assessment, Adaptation, and Decision Support

2. Regenerative and Adaptive Livelihoods

3. Socio-Political Organizations and Institutions, Human Behavior, and Well-Being

Additional sessions will prioritize collaborative work between university faculty at Notre Dame and the University of São Paulo, while alumni and other friends of the University from the region will engage around the conference themes and stakeholder partners.

For more information or to apply to join the convening, contact Maggie Dankert at ND Global.

ND faculty who would like to participate in COP30 Amazonia are invited to complete the application to join the ND delegation.