Training of civil servants

The call for expressions of interest to provide training is now closed, and the responses are being analyzed. However, you can find below the questions regarding eligibility to provide these training courses that were received when the questionnaire was open.

• Is it possible to participate in this initiative after completing a postdoctoral contract with a foreign university?
  Yes, it’s entirely possible.
• Can volunteer or retired researchers participate in this call for applications?
  Yes, but they will not be eligible for remuneration from the Ministry of Higher Education and Research.
• Were any colleagues from the humanities and social sciences involved in these interventions?
  The response to this call is left to the discretion of the researchers. Colleagues in the humanities and social sciences are welcome to respond by focusing primarily on one of the issues.
• I am not a researcher and do not belong to a public scientific and technological institution (EPST), can I still apply?
  Yes, however the service cannot be paid for.
• Can PhD students apply?
  Yes, doctoral students are scientists
• I don’t speak French well, can I still apply?
  For three-hour training sessions for state employees, fluency in French is recommended.

• Is it paid?
  Yes, lectures given by teacher-researchers from institutions under the supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research will be paid for as hours integrated into their service or as additional hours.
• Are travel expenses covered, especially if I do not reside in the intervention area?
  Travel expenses may be covered by the regions (TO BE VERIFIED). The aim is to bring researchers and research professors from the local area closer to state employees in the same area. Trainers may occasionally come from another region, but this will be at the regional level. The issue of travel expenses must be discussed in advance with the regional organizers.
• How do I indicate my availability?
  The contact details of volunteer speakers will be made available to the regional and departmental prefectures. They will be responsible for the logistical organization of the conferences. A regional scientific council will define the needs and select the speakers. You will need to check with them that your availability matches their constraints.
• I do not live in France, will the training sessions be able to be organized via video conference?
  In principle, no, in-person participation is preferred. However, this question may be asked of regional organizers if they select your profile.
• I don’t have a car, is that a problem?
  Travel expenses and conference organization will be covered by the regional authorities. The technical details of the presentations will need to be finalized with them.
• I have no teaching experience: am I still eligible?
  The choice of speakers will be made at the local level.
• Will it be possible for several people to carry out the interventions?
  This will be discussed with the local scientific committee.

• Are issues such as antibiotic resistance, directly linked to climate change and biodiversity, among the areas of expertise sought?
  Yes, but not as the main focus. Indeed, the need is to explain the fundamentals of the three crises, that is to say the issues, the concepts and the solutions to combat climate change, the erosion of biodiversity or the overexploitation of natural resources.
• Is course material provided?
  A set of specifications will be provided to all participating researchers and research professors. Resources will also be available, including links to presentations, short videos, MOOCs, and slideshows from which you can draw examples. All of this will be available this summer.
• Can I illustrate my lectures with my own productions on biodiversity (video, photo, sounds)?
  Yes, that’s what’s expected.
• A theme “systems thinking, orders of magnitude and socio-ecological bifurcation” could be added.
  Each of the three subjects must be read in light of these aspects: that is to say with a systemic vision taking into account the other subjects and with a societal approach to the obstacles and levers to the ecological transition.
• Can I intervene on an issue other than planetary boundaries?
  The framework for these interventions is one of three key issues: climate, biodiversity, or natural resources. Planetary boundaries can be addressed, but many other concepts and problems also need to be tackled. A set of specifications will be made available this summer.
• The three issues are compartmentalized and risk overlooking a systemic vision.
  Participants are asked to maintain a systemic approach, even if their discussion focuses on one of the three issues. The specifications document can help in this regard.
• Can we provide training in the carbon footprint methodology?
  Yes, if the rest of the specifications are met.
• Can we deploy kits such as Inventons Nos Vies Bas Carbone?
  No, this is covered in the first part of the training for state employees. A public tender is currently underway to select facilitators for mural painting or workshops of this type.