"[Professor] Robert Templer spoke about research the CCNR [Center for Conflict, Negotiation and Recovery] are conducting now in Syria, and pointed to an interest in exploring the connections between Aleppo and Norway, 'of which there are a surprising number'. Templer pointed to the five-year drought that preceded the civil war, which Templer linked directly to the country's current conflict; Syria was the first country in the world to withdraw seeds from the Seed Bank, located on Svalbard and otherwise known as 'The Doomsday Vault'. (Scientists unable to continue important research at a gene bank in Aleppo decided to withdraw seeds and plant them in Lebanon and Morocco in order to continue their research). 'What we see in this conflict is a lack of empathy', Templer noted, referring to Syria. 'And I wonder if connections will help people engage or reengage'."
Read the full article on the Ocula website here.