For two days, CIPSEM presented how TU Dresden contributes to addressing essential questions for our common future at the “Woche der Umwelt”. This event – literally ‘week of the environment – showcases innovative projects contributing to environmental protection and sustainability. It is special, because exhibitors and projects come from all parts of society: universities and research institutes, ministries and government agencies, NGOs, enterprises, professional associations, youth, and many more. The venue is also unique: the meeting takes place in the garden of Bellevue Castle, and is hosted by the president of Germany.
Opening ceremony of the ‘Woche der Umwelt’ – It’s good to see so many people interested in environmental issues. (Picture: DBU,
https://flic.kr/s/aHskASFVHY)
The minister for the environment, the German president and the first lady, the parliamentary secretary of state of the ministry of the environment and the president of the German environment foundation (starting from the right) during the opening ceremony of the ‘Woche der Umwelt’. (Picture: DBU,
https://flic.kr/s/aHskASFVHY)
Almost 12 000 people came to learn about and to get in touch with various initiatives, as well as to join one of the numerous panel discussions on issues such as the energy transition or sustainable cities.
In his opening speech, the Federal President, Mr. Joachim Gauck, referred to the Agenda 2030: “Especially now we need additional momentum for more environmental protection, as we have agreed on ambitious targets for sustainable development and climate protection on an international scale.”
Federal President Joachim Gauck discussing with course participant Christian Saravia from Guatemala and CIPSEM-collegue Angela Francke during the evening reception (Photo: Christian Saravia).
Exchange between Joachim Gauck, Federal President, and our course participant Fany Ramos Quispe from Bolivia.
At the CIPSEM booth, visitors were attracted by a wheel of fortune presenting a selection of countries from which our course participants are coming (out of 138 from which our more then 2200 alumni total since 1977 came). The wheel was a helpful starting point to start discussing about typical environmental problems, how they are related to the sustainable development goals, and how we are addressing these issues in our courses.
Visitors from Indonesia at the CIPSEM booth (Photo: Angela Francke, CIPSEM)
Ready for a new influx of visitors: Fany, Anna, Christian and Angela. (Photo: Angela Francke)
Visitors of all ages and backgrounds were eager to learn about the course program (Photo: Anna Görner, CIPSEM).
Many visitors also used the opportunity to inform themselves about the international master programs in “Tropical Forestry” and “Hydro Science and Engineering” as well as other environment-related study programs at TU Dresden. Overall, we were happy with this opportunity, also because we got in touch with several experts who might teach in our courses in the future.
> More pictures of the “Week of the Environment”, made available by the organizer, the German Environment Foundation, DBU.
> Background information on the “Woche der Umwelt” (German only)
We celebrate a successful anniversary year 2017 for CIPSEM and moving forward into 2018, continuing our course programme in sustainable environmental management for developing countries; starting on January 10th with the 41st UNEP/UNESCO/BMUB International Postgraduate Course on Environmental Management for Developing Countries with another 21 participants from 21 countries.
UNEP/UNESCO/BMUV course program 