From the top of the Keiservarden mountain, I could see the entire city of Bodø – including the city’s streets, buildings, trees, and river. Observing how everything seemed so small and fragile, made me think about the delicate balance of nature. As a Brazilian, traveling from a city referred as “daughter of the Equator Sun”, after its own anthem, to Bodø seemed daunting. I thought I’d live for coming days as “Gateway to the Arctic”, but I did not. Bodø caught me off-guard- the city and its weather were sunnier than I expected. This Norwegian town blessed us with crystal clear sky throughout the workshop. The Congress was a reminder for urban planners like us, of the huge challenge climate change poses to the world. At the same time, this collaborative experience made me realize that we are not alone in this global quest- we have an opportunity and responsibility to learn from each other’s diverse backgrounds, expertise and come together to protect our planet.
Mariana Fiúza, Brazil Image 8
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