Lecture category: Education Activities

Women-Led Expedition Empowers and Educates in Central Asia’s High Mountains

In the recent ‘Adventure of Science: Women and Glaciers in Central Asia’ expedition, the focus on climate change adaptation empowered a new generation of young explorers, scientists, and leaders.

Hands-On Learning

Young participants explored the Kyrgyz Ala Archa National Park, learning about natural hazards like Glacier Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) directly from expert Laura Niggli.

Practical Knowledge

On-site evidence and hazard assessment skills were imparted, crucial for safe living in GLOF-prone regions.

Project Background

The program is part of ‘Cryospheric Observation and Modeling for Improved Adaptation in Central Asia (CROMO-ADAPT),’ supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and executed by the University of Fribourg, in collaboration with UNESCO, Girls on Ice Switzerland, and Central-Asian Institute for Applied Geosciences ********(CAIAG).

Empowering Young Women

The program fosters critical thinking and curiosity, especially among young women, promoting gender diversity in science and leadership.

Impact

• Youth and Young Professionals: Practical experience enhances their capacity in climate adaptation, disaster risk management, and environmental sciences.
• Local Communities: Understanding landscape features is vital for safer living in hazard-prone areas.
• Young Civil Servants: Insights and expertise gained contribute to their effectiveness in climate-related work.
• Empowering Women: Promoting gender inclusivity in science and leadership is a step towards a more diverse and resilient future.
• International Collaboration: Cooperation among organizations and agencies underscores the collective effort to address climate challenges.

This expedition marks a milestone in climate adaptation capacity building, inspiring a new generation to confront the pressing issues of our time.

GLOFCA member Laura Niggli joined this year’s ‘Adventure of Science: Women and Glaciers in Central Asia’ (https://www.inspiringgirls.org/central-asia-en) expedition as visiting scientific instructor with expertise on Glacier Lake Outburst Floods.

The project ‘Adventure of Science’ empowers young women through science, art and wilderness exploration.

This year’s successful expedition took place from 16.-25. August 2022 in the adventurous Ala Archa National Park in Kyrgyzstan where the young women made their first steps in and around Golubin glacier located in the beautiful high mountain regions the Kyrgyz range.

The female led team trained the participants in scientific methods and supports them in the development and presentation of their own scientific projects. The participants learnt about climate and environmental changes as well as natural hazards and Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in high mountain regions.

Besides the focus on thematic capacity building, the program is designed to encourage critical thinking, curiosity, and expression with the goal to empower a new generation of strong, aware and educated female explorers, scientists and leaders.

Talgar River Basin

In August, young women from across Central Asia embarked on an expedition in Ala-Archa National Park, Kyrgyzstan, as part of the “Adventure of Science: Women and Glaciers in Central Asia” program. This initiative addresses critical challenges related to the changing cryosphere — vital for water security and natural disaster prevention, such as Glacier Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) — while also promoting greater gender representation in STEM fields.

The program offers women aged 18-25 from Central Asia the unique opportunity to engage in a women-led glaciological expedition. Participants gain practical experience in scientific research, build confidence, and develop leadership skills, all while addressing critical environmental issues in the region.

This expedition was organized by the University of Fribourg, with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), UNESCO’s Almaty Regional Office, and in cooperation with the Central Asian Institute for Applied Geosciences (CAIAG). Guided by an all-women team of instructors, participants delved into topics such as GLOFs, climate change, and glaciology, while enhancing their disaster risk reduction and water management skills.

Laura Niggli, an instructor from the University of Zurich and a member of the GLOFCA project, shared her thoughts on the expedition: “It’s different from learning from books. Here we observe, touch, experience, investigate, understand, and internalize. It’s a privilege to live and share science like this. It’s amazing to see so many talented and inspiring young women from across Central Asia come together to learn about issues that concern us all, both as a society and as individuals in our daily lives.”

The “Adventure of Science: Women and Glaciers in Central Asia” is more than just a training program—it’s a movement to inspire and equip the next generation of women scientists. Read more about the expedition from the perspective of the program alumna here.