Maasai Mara University and The Africa Community of Planetary Partners for Health and Environment (ACOPPHE) proposes a groundbreaking Translational Research Conference titled; The One HEARTS 4 Climate: Health and Environment in Africa–;Research Translations and Solutions for Climate Action and Resiliency. The conference is aimed at identifying and bridging the gap between research findings and practical solutions in the realms of health, environment and climate action across Africa.
The conference is planned to be hosted in close proximity to the most impacted communities in arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) areas in Maasai Mara University. This conference centers on the belief that communities who are most impacted by climate change and environmental degradation need to be meaningfully involved and appropriately centered within relevant research, discussions, actions, policymaking, planning and responses. The conference will be conducted in a rotatory manner
between different countries in Africa and hosted in alternating institutions based on their rural-urban locations. The inaugural HEARTS4Climate Conference will be held in Maasai Mara University, Kenya between 3 rd to 9 th August, 2025.
Objectives:

1. Showcase Innovative African research
2. Advance opportunities and solutions
3. Promote Community centered approach
4.  Assess current levels, scope and typologies of participants engagement in policy, practice and research
5. Underscore the critical importance of increasing the enrolment of the youth in community health- and climate action-related programs as a pathway for responding to outbreaks, preparing for and responding to environmental changes
   and reducing youth unemployment.

 Scope of Participants

The Conference will engage: Academicians, Students and Researchers, Policymakers and Practitioners, NGO and CBO Leaders, Government and UN Officials, Traditional Healers and Indigenous Leaders, Members of communities that are disproportionately Impacted by climate change and other related issues including: Youth and Digital Health Innovators, Health Professionals and Environmental and Climate Advocates. The anticipated in-person scientific attendance will range from 300 – 500 participants,
ensuring a diverse and impactful audience. We look forward to at least 1000 – 1500 in- person attendance for the community activities in Nairekie Enkare, Naisoya (Mau), Maasai Mara University and Sekenani Gate (Mara).

The theme of the Conference is: ‘Uniting for a Healthy Planet for All’ and will be anchored on the following sub-themes;

1.  (Biodiversity and Animals): Opportunities and Innovations at the Nexus between Biodiversity, Ecosystem Protection, Plants and Animals
2.  (Conservation and Pollution): Achieving A Comprehensive Transformation through Conservation: Using Nature Based Solutions to Revive Ancient Wisdom and Reverse the Pollution Crisis
3. (Climate): Climate Action, Education and Financing: Empowering Methods and Mechanisms to Build a Bright Future and Change Climate from Foe to Friend
4. (Children): Children and Youth as Solutions to the Triple Planetary Crisis
5. (Health): Health, Food, Water and Clean Energy: Keys to Unlock One Health and Planetary Health, Together with Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
6. (Governance): Governance, Advocacy and Policy to Accelerate Community- Centered Sustainable Development, Scale Sustainable Economies and Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
7. (Indigenous/Community/Culture/Language): Models to Mainstream Stewardship for Climate Resiliency: Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) and Herbal Medicine
8. (Cross-cutting): Priority will be given to submissions that establish clear ties to our core thematic areas of Health, Environment and/or Climate