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The fifteenth annual IPROMO training course concluded today after two weeks of full-immersion learning and on-site training dedicated to sustainable mountain development. The 30 officers and experts from 20 countries that participated each received a diploma and 40 credit hours. 

In celebration of the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development 2022 and IPROMO’s fifteenth anniversary, this year’s course broadly examined the challenges and opportunities related to sustainable mountain development. "Thank you to the IPROMO 2022 attendees, scientific directors and course managers. Together, we must re-think our approach to sustainably managing mountain areas and improving mountain people’s livelihoods,” said Rosalaura Romeo, Programme Coordinator of the Mountain Partnership Secretariat.  

Participants attended lectures on watershed management, climate change, soils, agrifood systems, forestry, innovation and sustainable tourism in mountains with university professors, officers from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), government officials and private sector representatives. 

The students also visited the Monte Rosa Glacier in the Alps between Italy and Switzerland as well as Fort Bard in Italy’ Aosta Valley. The lessons and field trips provided participants the tools and skills that contribute to the integrated management of mountain areas. Many students found the course's contents beneficial to their work and will be using the new skills they gained in their projects and research. 

Emanuela-Adina Cocis, Research scientist III PhD. Eng., Centre of Mountain Economy “CE-MONT”, National Institute for Economic Research "Costin C. Kiriţescu", Romanian Academy, said, “I am honoured to be a part of the big IPROMO family. It is a great opportunity to learn from UN officers, experts and professors about sustainable mountain development and also a great chance to network with people from all around the world.” 

Vaibhav Kumar Singh, District Forest Officer in the Himalayan State of Uttarakhand, Indian Forest Service, said, “It has been a very good experience for me learning about sustainable mountain development from some of the best examples in the Italian Alps and other regions. I believe that the outcomes will help me in contributing to the sustainable development of Himalayan mountains in my state of Uttarakhand in India.” 

Nomcebo Dlamini, Community Development lecturer and PhD in Human Geography candidate, University of the Free State, South Africa, expressed, “Opportunities such as this are a must for people who care about mountain people, who care about the environment and who care about learning more so that we take what we have learned home to implement.” 

Anisa Abibulloeva, Project Coordinator, The Little Earth, Tajikistan, said, “I am very happy to participate in IPROMO 2022 as an environmental activist and learn from the professionals about the best practices in mountain ecosystems. I am very excited to be here to learn and take the experience back to my country and encourage more young people to participate in such programmes for sustainable development.” 

Santiago Fernández Peña, Development Manager, The Andean Alliance for Sustainable Development, Argentina, “It is a very enriching experience since we come from all parts of the world, especially developing countries, so we are exchanging our communities’ knowledge and all the work we do in mountain environments.” 

IPROMO is jointly organized by the Mountain Partnership Secretariat, the University of Turin, Italy, and the University of Tuscia, Italy, with the high patronage of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The course was chaired by Danilo Godone of the National Research Council – Research Institute for Hydrogeological Prevention and Protection, a member of the Mountain Partnership. 

Learn more about IPROMO 2022