Open lecture at the School of Education of Lusofonia at IPLUSO (ESEL - IPLUSO), aiming to discuss the role of society in contributing to the conservation and degradation of ecosystems.
The relationship between humanity and terrestrial ecosystems has been marked by a profound interdependence, but also by increasing pressure on natural systems. This open session seeks to foster a broad reflection on the impact of human action on Earth, exploring its ecological, social, and ethical dimensions.
Session Objectives
- To analyse human influence on terrestrial ecosystems;
- To promote an integrated vision of sustainability that considers the complexity of interactions between natural and human systems;
- To encourage critical thinking about the role of science, education, and public policies in mitigating environmental impacts;
- To foster interdisciplinary dialogue and knowledge sharing among experts, students, and the wider community.
Target Audience
- Students of the Master’s Degree in Pre-School Education and Teaching of the 1st Cycle of Basic Education
- Students of the Master’s Degree in Teaching of the 1st Cycle of Basic Education and in Mathematics and Natural Sciences of the 2nd Cycle of Basic Education
- University students, researchers, teachers, professionals in environmental fields, as well as citizens interested in sustainability, ecology, and nature conservation.
- All those who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and responsibilities that humanity faces in the preservation of terrestrial ecosystems.
Professor Helena Freitas, PhD
Full Professor of Biodiversity and Ecology at the University of Coimbra, and recipient of the Ernst Haeckel Award from the European Ecological Federation for her contributions to European ecological science in 2024. She is currently the Coordinator of the Centre for Functional Ecology, overseeing initiatives at the intersection of science, social well-being, and environmental sustainability.
Her expertise covers a wide range of scientific areas, including Mediterranean ecosystems, conservation biology, microbial ecology, and sustainability policies. At present, she has been promoting applied ecological research, leading several EU projects in agroecology, the agri-food sector, and landscape management.
She has held the UNESCO Chair in Biodiversity Safeguard for Sustainable Development since 2013 and has led a major EEA Grant initiative highlighting the value of Portugal’s 12 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves.
Beyond academia, Helena has undertaken management and policy roles and has held key positions in environmental organisations (founder and president of the League for the Protection of Nature and the Portuguese Ecological Society, and vice-president of the European Ecological Society). Recognised for her numerous contributions, Helena Freitas has received many honours, including the Order of Prince Henry the Navigator in 2000 and the Portugal Inspirador Award for Personality of the Year in Sustainability in 2022.
Professor Maria Amélia Martins-Loução, PhD
Retired Full Professor of Sciences at the University of Lisbon, senior researcher at the Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), president of the Portuguese Ecological Society (SPECO) and of the Alumni Association of the University of Lisbon (Alumni ULisboa).
She holds a PhD in Biology (1985) and Habilitation in Ecology (1985), and completed a Master’s degree in Science Communication (2014). She served as Vice-Rector of the University of Lisbon (2006–2011), Director of the Botanical Garden of the National Museum of Natural History (2002 to 2009), President of the Board of the National Museum of Natural History (2004–2006), and Head of the Department of Plant Biology at the Faculty of Sciences (1999–2002).
She is a Corresponding Academician of the Royal National Academy of Pharmacy (Spain) (2006), was recognised as one of the 100 Women Scientists by Ciência Viva (2016), and received the Ibero-American Botany Award, the Cortes de Cádiz Prize (2010), and the Grand Ciência Viva Prize in 2021. She is the author of over 250 titles (chapters, books, international articles, and outreach texts).
Programme
- 14h00 - Session with Professor Helena Freitas, PhD
University of Coimbra
- 17h00 - Session with Professor Maria Amélia Martins-Loução, PhD
University of Lisbon / President of SPECO
Moderation
- Professor Luísa Carvalho (ESEL-IPLUSO)
