During the 47th conversation, Dr. Norma Patricia Muñoz Sevilla, a Professor and Researcher at IPN, Mexico, shared her insights on leadership. She emphasized the importance of expressing love for daily work to inspire others through knowledge and education. Honesty, ethics, and leading by example were key attributes she highlighted, along with the significance of respecting nature and fostering connectivity activities to contribute to global improvement.

When asked about her experiences working on climate change, Dr. Norma pointed out the essential role of education and communication at all levels. She mentioned the League Week Program in Mexico, which focuses on sustainability, and stressed the need to understand and address the challenges people face due to climate change. Dr. Norma acknowledged our collective responsibility in contributing to and finding solutions for global warming.

Addressing the question of how academia can increase its leadership during the climate crisis, Dr. Patricia highlighted the importance of intensifying climate change topics in Mexican academia, not only in research but also in teaching. She stressed the need to equip young people with appropriate skills to inspire and prepare them to work on climate change issues.

Regarding working with the government, Dr. Patricia shared her experiences collaborating with various entities. While proposing and signing agreements is significant, the challenge lies in effectively pushing the government to take decisive action. Understanding public policy and the needs of the people is crucial in promoting climate action in the governmental sector.

Finally, Dr. Norma responded to a question about inspiring youth activists. She emphasized the significance of conducting fieldwork to truly comprehend and face the challenges directly. Without firsthand experience, one may only watch the problem without fully understanding its complexities.

In conclusion, the conversations with Dr. Norma Patricia Muñoz Sevilla shed light on the importance of leadership, education, communication, and fieldwork in addressing climate change and inspiring the youth to make a positive impact in this critical era.

About the guest speaker:
Dra Norma studied Biology at the National School of Biological Sciences of the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN). She graduated in 1982. She obtained her Doctorate in Biological Oceanography at the Université d ‘Aix-Marseille II, France and a post-doctorate in Marine Biochemistry at the École Pratique des Hautes Études in Paris in 1990. She is a member of the National System of Researchers, Level 1 (SNI).

Dr. Norma has been Advisor to the Secretariat of the Environment and Natural Resources of Mexico in matters of oceans and coasts for more than 10 years, external advisor to international organizations such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations (UN), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNIDO) for marine planning, integrated coastal management, and capacity building in Latin America in the coastal zone, governance of the Gulf of Mexico, coastal continental water, and public policies among others. She has received approximately 41 awards for her professional performance including a distinction from the American Biographical Institute as Great Woman of the 21 Century 2004/2005 edition in the area of sustainable development. The Order of the Academic Palms in the degree of Knight. Decoration was awarded to her by the Government of the French Republic in 2011. She received an Honorable Mention in the Doctorate in Biological Oceanography of the University of Aix-Marseille II in France. A Diploma of Honor was awarded by the University of Los Andes, Venezuela for her outstanding academic career and she was recognized by the Polytechnic Women Leaders 2022.