Finding answers to major societal challenges - First meeting of the IZNE Advisory Board

With its research areas, the IZNE focuses on social and ecological topics of sustainable development. The focus of the four professors who head the centre is on "Responsible Economy and Natural Resources" (Prof. Dr. Wiltrud Terlau), "Health and Social Protection" (Prof. Dr. Katja Bender), "Soils and Biomass" (Prof. Dr. Martin Hamer) and "Sustainable Technologies and Resource Use" (Prof. Dr. Stefanie Meilinger).

The newly formed advisory board is to provide expert advice. It has the task of commenting on the professional performance of the IZNE, to participate in an advisory capacity in the development of medium and long-term goals, to promote cooperation with other institutions and to provide professional advice in the run-up to decisions upon request.

The members of the advisory board are recognised experts from science and practice from the fields in which the IZNE is active. The following members were appointed for an initial appointment period of four years:

• Dr. Kathleen Mar, Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS), Helmholtz Centre Potsdam, Germany
• Prof. em. Isa Baud, International Development Studies, Urban Governance, University of Amsterdam, former President of EADI, CERES, NWO/WOTRO, Netherlands
• Hartwig Schafer, former Vice-President South Asia Region, World Bank, Washington D.C., USA
• Prof. Dr. Ralf Schiebel, Climate Geochemistry Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany

In addition to the above-mentioned external advisory board members, the board of directors of the IZNE and a representative from the presidium of the H-BRS are active in the advisory board.