We believe that environmental justice must include the protection of fragile ecosystems like mountains and glaciers. This is why we are proud that our colleague Rachele Ossola took part in IPROMO 2025, the summer school organized by the FAO Mountain Partnership, which brought together 27 professionals from 19 countries for two weeks of advanced training and knowledge exchange.
This year’s edition of IPROMO focused on the preservation of glaciers and mountain ecosystems in the context of the climate crisis, in line with the International Year of Glacier Preservation declared by the United Nations. Participants worked on the connections between climate change, water resources, biodiversity, and the well-being of mountain communities, addressing both scientific approaches and local knowledge.
Rachele contributed as a lecturer and facilitator, sharing her expertise in environmental chemistry and in the study of dissolved organic matter in alpine waters. Her sessions explored how participatory research can be a tool to monitor the impact of glacier retreat and how communities living in high-altitude areas can co-design adaptation strategies that are scientifically sound but also socially just.
The program also included field visits to the Marmolada and Lys glaciers, where participants had the chance to study first-hand the consequences of global warming on glacial environments, and to reflect on the urgent need for international cooperation to safeguard these ecosystems. The shared experiences of the two weeks helped strengthen a global network of scientists, practitioners, and advocates for mountain territories.
We thank the Mountain Partnership for this unique opportunity. At Source International, we will continue to integrate this knowledge into our daily work—supporting communities, monitoring environmental change, and advocating for justice in mountain territories.
