Transitions: time for action

This special day of meetings, networking and sharing experiences allowed the University of Bordeaux to bring together local professionals in order to develop practical and transformative actions to address the challenges of the environmental, social, economic and political crises of the 21^st century.

"The idea behind these annual Transitions Meetings is to provide real support and help implement ideas and collaborations between each edition, with support from the University of Bordeaux’s teams", explains Éric Macé, Vice-President of environmental and societal transitions.

« The ACT programme will support and encourage projects of all sizes » he adds.

1. For the health of young people, the idea of a universal student income, improved dedicated common spaces and re-designed third-party health centres. The importance of detecting mental health problems at an early stage, through peer-to-peer actions in collaboration with professors and by improving social ties.
2. The digital transitions workshop highlighted the need for digital awareness and training for everyone at all ages, integrating the notion of sobriety at all stages. This would result in a personalised digital education plan for all audiences, the implementation of a citizen convention and specific work on data efficiency (carbon footprint/utility ratio).
3. For producing and accessing organic and local food, the reflection group highlighted the need to analyse the land available for production and distribution, to better organise the distribution network via a common local platform and the importance of prioritising local food products in public purchasing policies.

4. Sharing knowledge will allow us to return life and nature to the heart of the city, from a very young age, with lifelong learning. Governance issues are crucial here, with local authorities having to take appropriate action in terms of town planning and education.
5. The workshop on low-cost, resilient and sustainable housing highlighted the need to address current barriers and work on regulatory changes. Local, short circuit, low tech renovations must be prioritised, with the training of professionals and support for a change in habits. The issue of vacant housing was also addressed.
6. Regarding environmentally friendly mobility and its implementation, the working group noted the need to deconstruct certain habits and beliefs by setting an example. Routes need to be developed and made safe, and the various environmentally friendly mobility solutions need to be better coordinated before new services can be considered.