IRDR commends the successful conclusion of Fudan University's second International Summer School on Climate Change and Related Risks. Supported by IRDR in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the MAP-AQ programme, the three-week flagship program brought together nearly 80 participants from 16 countries, fostering a dynamic global learning community under the theme “Human Activity and Weather/Climate Extremes.” 

Participants engaged with world-renowned experts across four critical modules: climate extremes, anthropogenic influences, land-ocean-atmosphere interactions, and risk governance. Highlights included lectures from renowned experts, fieldwork at the Yangtze Estuary Wetland Ecosystem Research Station, and collaborative team projects addressing real-world challenges. A new “Talk & Connect” forum enabled valuable peer-to-peer knowledge exchange. 

IRDR Executive Director Prof. Saini Yang noted the program's transformative impact: "We witnessed participants evolve from learners to solution-developers, particularly through their innovative mini-projects." She commended Fudan University’s IRDR International Centre of Excellence for nurturing emerging climate leaders. 

Looking ahead, IRDR reaffirms its dedication to expand international recruitment, introduce leadership training with a focus on women researchers, and strengthen global partnerships. The signed summer school flag, now preserved as a symbol of this global collaboration, represents the enduring connections formed through this initiative. IRDR looks forward to continuing this successful partnership with Fudan University for the 2026 program and beyond.