Second UNU-FLORES scoping workshop to be held in Mozambique

From 24 to 25-th of October 2011,the 2nd International Scoping Workshop on the establishment of the United Nations University Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES) Dresden and its envisaged Twin Institute in Mozambique will take place in Maputo, Mozambique .
                                          

Scientists from the African continent and all over the world, international representatives of UN-Water and other UNU Institutes worldwide, as well as delegates from the host countries Germany and Mozambique will continue to lead discussions on the Institute´s scope and mission, the workplan and research priorities. Prof. Konrad Osterwalder, Rector of UNU and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Organization, is also expected to attend the workshop.

The 1st ISW took place from 11 to 12 November 2010 in Dresden, Germany. Proceedings of the workshop are now available for download:

Proceedings

Background: UNU-FLORES 

UNU-FLORES will focus on sustainable management of environmental resources, such as water, soil and waste, and will be dedicated to research, postgraduate education and training of professionals to contribute to integrated management and capacity development for material flow and resources management. It aims to work very closely with other UNU Institutes as well as UN bodies working in the field of sustainability, as such resources are crucial factors of development and several UNU Institutes have substantial knowledge in different aspects of their management.

Download:

2ISW Stakeholder List    Workshop Programme      

Workshop Questionnaire   Workshop Concept Note

Second International Scoping Workshop-Maputo,Mozambique

Prof. Konrad Osterwalder, Rector of UNU: 

“Key to success of twinning initiative is the comprehension of partnership.”

A UNU delegation met with the Hon. Minister of Science and Technology (Ministério da Ciência e Tecnologia, MCT) and the Rector Magnificus of Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) from 1 until 4 May 2011 in Maputo, Mozambique. Main topics of the meeting were the progress on the twinning initiative of UNU in Africa and the organization of a second international scoping workshop on the UNU Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES) to be held 24-25 October 2011.

During their stay, strategic meetings and fruitful working sessions were held, involving high-ranking stakeholders to discuss legal and general issues underlying the process of establishing a twin institute of the soon to be inaugurated UNU-FLORES in Dresden. This new institute will concentrate on integrated management of material fluxes and of resources with a special focus on water, soil and waste management with the perspective to address other geo- and energy resource flows as the institute develops. 

Major Outcomes:

• Legal status of the twin of UNU-FLORES as an entity of UNU was clarified
• Appointment of an establishment committee of the twin institute, as well as a scientific and organizing committee for the 2nd International Scoping Workshop
• Necessary items for feasibility report (list of study programmes and of partners in the region) identified
• Date for the 2nd International Scoping Workshop (24-25 October 2011) in Maputo was agreed
• Agreement on a general work plan towards the 2nd International Scoping Workshop and the establishment of the twin

UNU Twin Institute as Hub for Southern Africa

The Mozambican partners explained the challenges of science and technology development and of higher education in Mozambique, but also their vision for the future. The twin institute of UNU-FLORES is seen as opportunity to consolidate and strengthen the capacities of Mozambique and the region for research and teaching in the field of its research scope. Both MCT and UEM confirmed and stressed their commitment for the initiative. Several existing or recently established MSc programmes related to the topic of the twin were identified. It was proposed to compose a joint study programme with UNU-FLORES from suitable modules offered within these courses. Care will be taken to involve partners from neighbouring countries during the establishment process which starts now and will be finalized during the scoping workshop later this year. By so doing the role of the twin institute as a hub for Southern Africa and even beyond will be emphasized.

In the meetings present were the Honourable Minister Prof. Massingue, Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT), H.E. Ambassador Dos Santos, the Rector of UNU, the Rector and Vice-Rector of UEM, as well as various further deans, directors and professors of UEM.

Background

UNU-FLORES is about to be established in Dresden, Germany, in cooperation with TU Dresden. It will be funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Saxon State Ministry for Higher Education, Research and the Fine Arts (SMWK).

In view of the twinning strategy of UNU, Mozambique was identified as a suitable host of a second campus of UNU-FLORES. Both the government of Mozambique and the leading university, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, confirmed their support and commitment for the initiative after the first international scoping workshop on UNU-FLORES held in November of 2010 in Dresden, Germany.

UNU-FLORES Maputo

UNU-FLORES

In what concerns other UNU initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa, the envisaged new UNU Institute on Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES) is destined to create a Twin Institute in Mozambique as a regional hub for Southern Africa and even beyond.

Maputo

In what concerns the twinning strategy of UNU, Mozambique was identified as a suitable host of a second campus of UNU-FLORES. Both, the Government of Mozambique and the leading university, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, confirmed their support and commitment for the initiative after the 1st International Scoping Workshop on UNU-FLORES held in November of 2010 in Dresden, Germany. The 2nd International Scoping Workshop on UNU-FLORES will be held on 24-25 October 2011 in Maputo, Mozambique.
The involvement of research organizations and researchers from developing countries, first and foremost in Africa, is crucial as it has been proven and widely expected that the most negative impacts of climate change and unsustainable activities, though frequently practiced, would be felt in the South, notably in sub-Saharan Africa. The African Ministerial Council on Science and Technology (AMCOST), in cooperation with the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) has also identified the need for a concentrated, concerted and solution-oriented science for African development and the adaptation to cope with the vagaries of climate change, desertification and disasters of natural origin. The Consolidated Plan of Action for Science and Technology for Africa (CPA) calls among others for the establishment of regional (African) centres of excellence with different thematic scopes. A Twin Institute of UNU-FLORES in Africa could thus be conceived as a part of an African regional centre of excellence foreseen by CPA.

 
Vision and mission

Addressing problems in Africa by and with African scientists should be the priority. Network building and strong long-term support is needed for African universities and research institutes in order to achieve a critical mass of well educated scientific staff. Involving institutions of the network and Twin(s) in the intercontinental PhD programme could be one of the first steps. Education and knowledge transfer in the field of water, waste and soil use should also be considered as a priority.

Mozambique general background

Located along the south-eastern rim of the African continent, Mozambique is intersected by several major rivers (Zambezi, Limpopo, Buzi, etc.) draining the central highlands towards the Indian Ocean. The flow regimes of these rivers are particularly subject of climatic variability and climate change.
Therefore, Mozambique is very vulnerable to the consequences of natural hazards due to its geographical location. A series of devastating floods during the last decade destroyed some of the results of the development Mozambique had experienced in the last two decades.
Mozambique has emerged from a long lasting civil war with considerate political stability, reforms and a developing economy. In many aspects, while still in need for human capacity development to carry further its economic and institutional progress, Mozambique can be characterized as one of the most promising African countries. It could be identified as a “role model” for countries developing under similar conditions and opportunities. The capacity needed (both at individual and institutional levels) could to a great extent be provided and strengthened through collaboration and sustained presence of UNU in Mozambique.