Workshop German-Indian Sustainability and Climate Change Dialogue
Background and program
Sustainable development and climate protection are high up on the political agenda in both Germany and India. As an emerging world power, India is becoming an important partner in climate protection, renewable energy and the increase of energy efficiency. We are witnessing rapidly growing markets for environmental technologies and increased bilateral cooperation. India’s fast-emerging economy and the environmental pioneer Germany offer different but at the same time mutually complementary perspectives. Collaboration with India is becoming increasingly important for universities, business and government organisations throughout the world.
On October 1st, 2008 the Environmental Policy Centre (FFU) at the Freie Universität Berlin will host a workshop entitled “German-Indian Sustainability and Climate Change Dialogue”. This meeting will bring together environmental researchers, business representatives and politicans in order to discuss the challenges and chances for bilateral environmental cooperation between Germany and India.
We aim to set up a continuous dialogue and collaboration between academia, politics and business. In addition, our goal is to provide research and higher education that is based on the necessity of practice and to create a platform for an ongoing exchange of experience and knowledge between the three fields promoted. We would like herewith to kindly invite you to attend this workshop, one that will enable you to establish contacts to us and to our partners from India.
The day-long programme will be held at the Freie Universität Berlin and includes three panel sessions, all of which will deal with the implications of bilateral cooperation in renewables, energy-efficiency and clean development mechanism. Expert presentations will give impetus to lively discussion in the plenary amongst professionals and policy makers of the industrial, economic, political and research communities. We plan on addressing the potentials and challenges of bilateral cooperation and will emphasise the need for gaining knowledge as a key for success in improving the conditions on which action can be taken.
The evening programme, kindly hosted by the Indian Embassy in Berlin, will include a panel discussion featuring leading experts in the field. The discussion will focus on the opportunities and challenges of bilateral cooperation and will identify topics and areas for mutual exchange and collaboration. The workshop will conclude with a reception for all participants. English will be the designated conference language. The Environmental Policy Research Centre (FFU) at the Freie Universität Berlin has specialised in international comparative environmental policy and climate research for more than two decades. The FFU works both in applied and basic environmental research related to ecological modernisation and industrial change and environmental governance. The FFU regularly provides policy advice for international and national governmental organisations and industry. Higher education is an important pillar of its field of activities. The FFU began coordinating interdisciplinary study programs in 1996.
Our Indian cooperation partner is TERI University in New Delhi. In October 2007, TERI University and Freie Universität Berlin established a formal academic cooperation. TERI is a research university, founded by the internationally renown "The Energy and Resources Institute". TERI director, Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, also heads the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. The FU/TERI cooperation is dedicated to higher education with respect sustainable development and will be expanding to the field of research. Both universities feature internationally networked research institutes while offering interdisciplinary environmental programs; hence the notion of collaboration on the level of higher education has proven to be highly promising and worthwhile.
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Workshop |
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09.30 |
Welcome at the FU Berlin |
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10.00 |
Welcome and Introduction |
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10.15 |
Challenges and Prospects of German-Indian Environmental Cooperation: “The Role of Research and Teaching” |
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11.00 - 17.00
11.00 –12.30 14.00 –15.30 15.30 -17.00 |
Panel Presentations: Bilateral Cooperation in the Areas: Panel 1: Promoting Renewable Energy Sebastian Trimpl, IBC Solar AG, Panel 2: Energy Efficient Building Dr. Heinrich Reitz, BASF, Panel 3: Emissions Trading/Clean Development Dr. habil. Jörg Jasper, EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG; Holger Liptow, GTZ, Moritz Schäfer, FU
Moderation: Prof. Dr. Martin Jänicke, Dr. Kirsten Jörgensen |
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18.30 - 20.00 (at Indian Embassy) |
Panel Discussion Linking Knowledge! Working Together for Sustainable Development: · Meera Shankar, Indian Ambassador · Prof. Dr. Miranda Schreurs, FFU Director · Dr. Leena Srivastava, TERI Executive Director · Franzjosef Schafhausen, BMU · Gerhard Stryi-Hipp, Bundesverband Solarwirtschaft e.V. · Chair: Dr. Kirsten Jörgensen |
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20.00 |
Reception |
Workshop flyer
download (pdf)
Contact:
Dr. Kirsten Jörgensen
E-Mail: kirstenj@zedat.fu-berlin.de