Chairholder 2022 – 2024: Dr Fatima Denton
Dr Fatima Denton appointed to Prince Claus Chair
As of 1 September 2022, Dr. Fatima Denton will formally start the Prince Claus Chair in Equity and Development at Utrecht University on ‘Just Transitions’.
Watch her inaugural lecture titled “Lecture on Power and Powerlessness”. The lecture argued for a just transition that allows new players, power structures, and interest groups to challenge the current trajectory and highlights the marginalised and powerless groups affected by climate change.
As the world seeks to address climate change and transition to new ways of life, there is an increasing demand for what is called a ‘just transition’; the need to ensure justice and equity in the sustainability transition. The transition to a more sustainable way of life presents us with both risks and opportunities to address existing social injustices. The Utrecht University Centre for Global Challenges (UGlobe) and its strategic theme Pathways to Sustainability (PtS) will be hosting the Prince Claus Chair.
The primary focus of Dr. Denton’s research is to understand disparities in power dynamics within the context of climate change and sustainable development, with the primary objective of establishing forums that facilitate discourse on the concept of justice. Her objective is to democratise the dialogue and amplify the voices of those on the frontlines of climate-related consequences – those who are frequently marginalised and ignored without agency or representation. She intends to examine the relationship between their transitional experiences and the larger societal and economic transition. In addition, Dr. Denton strives to foster dialogues that transcend boundaries, with a focus on our collective humanity and the common evolution we must pursue towards a post-carbon economy.
Dr Denton is the director of the United Nations University’s Institute of Natural Resources in Africa, based in Accra, Ghana.
CCAG. (2024). Voluntary Carbon Markets Potential, Pitfalls, and the Path Forward. https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/660df44c73d9da2a5912020a/668c12ad7c26d9a68b174756_CCAG%20VCMs%20Report.pdf
De Lombaerde, P. (Ed.). (2024). Handbook of Regional Cooperation and Integration. https://www.elgaronline.com/edcollbook-oa/book/9781800373747/9781800373747.xml
Denton Fatima. (2022). It’s time to create an ‘After Carbon’ agenda for Africa | Context. https://www.context.news/net-zero/opinion/its-time-to-create-an-after-carbon-agenda-for-africa
About Dr Denton’s research
As holder of the Prince Claus Chair, Fatima Denton’s goal is to democratize the debate around Just Transitions, ensuring voice and participation of those communities most affected by transition processes, in Africa in particular.
Dr. Denton informally kicked off her appointment with a keynote speech during the LERU Summer School on July 6th, with the theme ‘The University of the Future: Rethinking the role of universities worldwide in the face of the challenges of the 21st century’.
Overview of all the activities of Fatima Denton as Chairholder.