Jorge Alvar-Beltrán, Climate risks and agrometeorology specialist
Jorge Alvar-Beltrán
Campus des Nations, 2009
Climate risks and agrometeorology specialist
Italy
Learn more about me:
Since January 2020, I have been working at the Food Agriculture Organization-FAO HQ-Rome (Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment Division) as climate risk and agrometeorology specialist. I support countries (Ministry of Agriculture and Meteorological Services) on Agromet advisories (when to plant, what to grow, how to use climate information etc.) and how they can effectively deliver this information to the end-users (farmers, pastoralists etc.). I obtained a PhD thesis entitled “climate-resilient crops in hot-spot regions of climate change: the case of quinoa in Burkina Faso” at the University of Florence (Italy). As part of the agronomic experiments, I tested the adaptability of quinoa across the Soudanian agroclimatic zone of Burkina Faso to different abiotic stresses (e.g. irrigation, fertilization, heat-stress) during the dry season (when undernourishment levels are at is highest).
Thanks to Ecolint, I became familiar with the UN system which helped me developed critical thinking. I was amazed by the variety of backgrounds at Ecolint, with a mosaic of cultures that have certainly enriched me as a person.
Ecolint helped me developing the below skills:
- Familiarize me with the UN system (through an internship and consultancy at the World Meteorological Organization-WMO in 2012 and 2018, respectively)
- Helped me improved my English and French
- Develop critical thinking outside the box
- Be more respectful with the others
If I had it to do all over again, I would have liked to start at Nations, at least, a year before, as the international baccalaureate and education system strongly differed from that of Spain.
My words of wisdom for Ecolint students: show empathy and respect other students (in terms of sexual orientation, gender, and ethnic background). Take advantage of international life in Geneva, learn about the different cultures about international cooperation, and enjoy the outdoor activities as much as possible.
Finally, not to neglect how lucky we are in life and the outstanding parents we have.