Welcome
Minister of State Böhmer at the annual meeting of UNESCO Chairs in Germany held in Heidelberg
On 27 October, the UNESCO Chairs in Germany met in Heidelberg to discuss their contributions to the Global Action Programme on Education for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, also know as Agenda 2030.
Minister of State Böhmer, Special Representative of the Federal Foreign Office for UNESCO World Heritage, UNESCO Cultural Conventions and UNESCO Education and Science Programmes, issued the following statement about attending the meeting:
Sustainability concerns us all and is now what people expect our actions to be underpinned by. We are responsible for leaving behind an environment worth living in for future generations to enjoy. We must aspire to be the generation who managed to turn the corner to a sustainable society.
Research and education establishments are of central importance for sustainable development. Through research and teaching, universities develop and communicate knowledge, skills, competences and values. They train multipliers and future leaders.
The particular focus on transdisciplinary work and participatory approaches are very important as they involve a broad spectrum of players in society also beyond the academic sphere. Solutions to global challenges must take due account of the complexity of global and local sustainability problems. This can only happen if we have the broadest possible approach.
Background information:
The eleven UNESCO Chairs in Germany are part of a network set up in 1992 which today brings together some 700 university chairs in more than 120 countries. The title is granted by UNESCO at the proposal of the German Commission for UNESCO for outstanding dedication in the UNESCO spheres (education, research, culture and information). In just a few days, UNESCO will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its network of Chairs.