March 1-2, 2025

With its commitment to strengthening global reach through research and collaboration, Partido State University (ParSU), in partnership with UCLA Center for Southeast Asian Studies, hosts the Collaborative and Integrative Climate Research in Southeast Asia Workshop, bringing together a diverse group of scholars, scientists, and indigenous knowledge experts to tackle climate research in Southeast Asia (SEA). 

In his welcome message, ParSU President Arnel B. Zarcedo underscored the importance of recognizing the various forms of knowledge, especially stories, culture, and histories, in shaping effective climate responses. "We must celebrate knowledge in its many forms, reminding us that stories, culture, and histories are vital in shaping our climate response," he explained. 

Further, President Zarcedo emphasized the urgency of collective efforts in addressing climate change, describing the event as "a call to action." "This gathering is not just an academic workshop; it is a call for us to bridge disciplines, integrate diverse knowledge systems, and strengthen collaborations across sectors and regions," Zarcedo ended. 

This was supported by Stephen Acabado, Professor of Anthropology and Director of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Center for Southeast Asian Studies, who encourages an open, interdisciplinary exchange of ideas to find innovative solutions for the future, break down silos, and facilitate meaningful conversations. "Grab the right tools, work together, and ensure we don't just keep afloat but steer towards a sustainable and manageable future," he emphasized.

Day 1 featured a keynote address from Kathleen Johnson of UCLA discussing climate change, sustainability, and SEA's environmental future, followed by a plenary session on transdisciplinary research in SEA in bridging climate science, Archaeology, and Indigenous knowledge. Acabado moderated the session with panelists Miriam Stark of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Daniel Ibbara of Brown University, Marlon Martin of Save the Ifugao Terraces Movement represented by Earl John C. Hernandez of UCLA, and Ruel Pangusan of the University of the Philippines (UP)- Diliman. 

It also featured a special session on the conversation on co-stewardship of Indigenous landscape and resources in Taiwan with panelists Chih-You Ken, Chair of the Board of the Miaoli County Saisiyat Indigenous Peoples Forestry and Worker Limited Liability Cooperative and Hwa-Ching Lin of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, Taiwan, which Da-wei Kuan of the National Chengchi University moderated.

The second Plenary Session was on "Sustainable Futures: Agriculture, Ecosystems, and Marine Resources in a Changing Climate" with panelists Julie Hoggarth of Baylor University, Paul Barber of UCLA, Matrii Aung-Thwin of the National University of Singapore, Norman King of IPO-Porac and Czarina Nicole Macatingrao of ParSU, and Raul G. Bradecina ParSU Vice President of Research, Extension and Knowledge Management as the moderator.

Further, Panel discussions on methodological approaches to long-term climate resilience in SEA and Indigenous knowledge and climate adaptation to bridge cultural wisdom with scientific research were moderated by Robert Eagle of UCLA and Raymundo Rovillos of Pangasinan Polytechnic College, respectively, with panelists Almudi Lukman of Western Mindanao State University, Danilo Gerona of ParSU, Francisco Datar of UP-Diliman and Darwin Plaza of ParSU, Da-Wei Kuan of National Chengchi University, Etty Indriati of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Michael Griffiths of William Paterson University represented by Johnson, and Ma. Riza Lopez of Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology. 

Day 1 concluded with an opportunity for networking and building rapport among the participants with their roundtable discussions and sessions, where they shared experiences, ideas, and possible collaborations. 

Moving forward, Day 2 commenced with the topic Longacre's Legacy: Ethnoarchaeology and Studies on Philippine Earthenware, honoring the life and work of Dr. William A. Longacre who brought a more personal and meaningful perspective to archaeology, and a pottery demonstration by the Philippine Ceramics Arts and Crafts Center at Museo de ParSU.

Diving deeper into knowledge sharing, Kuan delivered a message on mainstreaming Indigenous knowledge for Science and policies and the discussion on Disaster Risk Reduction and Integrative Approaches for SEA with panelists Robert Alexander, Christian Rivero of the Department of Education, Amiel Lopez of Ateneo de Davao University, and Jerali Rodrigo of ParSU, with Mitsuhiko Takahashi of University of Toyoma as the moderator. Lastly, panelists Robert Michael Di Filippo of UP-Diliman, Syahruddin Mansyur of Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional, and Lilibeth Macrohon of the City Government of Zamboanga discussed Marine Ecosystems and Coastal Livelihoods: Historical data and modern Science for coastal resilience with ParSU Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Clores as the moderator.

Afterward, a breakout session for the discussion and directions for integrative climate research and Indigenous knowledge in SEA took place, along with the closing program, including cultural presentations from ParSU students and messages from ParSU officials.

The workshop fosters sustainable, cross-disciplinary networks that transcend national and institutional boundaries, where participants engage in insightful discussions, exchange groundbreaking research, and establish new collaborations. By incorporating diverse perspectives and methodologies, the event aims to strengthen research capacity and develop resilient strategies to tackle SEA's distinct climate challenges. Additionally, it focuses on creating integrative and collaborative research approaches that bridge the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and Indigenous knowledge. Its goal is to address critical issues such as climate change, water security, food security, and community resilience.

With sixteen (16) international institutions and seventeen (17) local institutions present, this initiative serves as a call to action to address the pressing issue on climate change and promote global partnerships for a more resilient and sustainable future, anchored on Sustainable Development Goals number 13 and 17. The success of this initiative reaffirms ParSU’s commitment to excelling in science, research and innovation through collaboration, and staying true to its mandates of providing quality education and promoting sustainable and resilient communities.