New format
First Future Conference NRW brings state politics and science together to implement the sustainability goals
Gathered at the first Future Conference NRW (from left to right): Prof Dr Oliver Locker-Grütjen, President of Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences and spokesperson for the NAW.NRW sustainability alliance of universities of applied sciences, patron Ina Brandes, Minister for Culture and Science, Prof Dr Birgitta Wolff, Rector of the University of Wuppertal and spokesperson for the sustainability initiative of universities in North Rhine-Westphalia, Humboldtⁿ, and Prof Dr Manfred Fischedick, President of the Wuppertal Institute and co-spokesperson for Humboldtⁿ.Manfred Fischedick, President of the Wuppertal Institute and co-spokesperson of Humboldtⁿ. // Photo Malte Reiter
16 universities, 20 universities of applied sciences in North Rhine-Westphalia - including the University of Wuppertal - and non-university research institutions, such as the Wuppertal Institute in particular, are pooling their expertise for the first time at a joint conference on these two days, making it clear that science is committed to the major transformation tasks facing the state and is committed to advancing the implementation of the sustainability goals of the 2030 Agenda and actively shaping the transformation process in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The Future Conference NRW was launched by the Sustainability Initiative of the Humboldtⁿ Universities and the Sustainability Alliance NAW.NRW of the universities of applied sciences in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The first Future Conference NRW is sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Ina Brandes, Minister of Science and patron of the Future Conference NRW: "The density and excellence of our research landscape with its outstanding universities, universities of applied sciences and research institutes is unique in Europe. The Future Conference pools this outstanding expertise and brings politics, science and business together. The close cooperation between universities and universities of applied sciences is particularly beneficial: it combines excellent research with practical teaching and direct transfer to industry and society. Only by working closely together will we succeed in achieving our sustainability goals."
Co-operation space for synergies
Prof Dr Birgitta Wolff, rector of the university of Wuppertal and spokesperson for the sustainability initiative of the Humboldtⁿ universities, explains: "North Rhine-Westphalia is a land of science. With this conference, we are creating a scouting and cooperation format to make solutions from the depths of the NRW research community more visible and bring them to realisation. We want to bring together the best ideas and minds to jointly advance the implementation of the NRW sustainability strategy."
Prof. Dr Oliver Locker-Grütjen, President of Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences and spokesperson for the NRW Sustainability Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences, emphasises: "The challenges of climate change, energy transition and social participation can only be solved together. The Future Conference NRW is a strong signal that our universities are taking responsibility together - across disciplinary boundaries and university types. We would like to thank the University of Duisburg-Essen for providing the space on its campus and the Ministry for its support."
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Manfred Fischedick, President and Scientific Director of the Wuppertal Institute and co-spokesperson for Humboldtn, emphasises: "Especially in today's world, which is characterised by a variety of geopolitical crises, increasing social polarisation and a high level of uncertainty, it is crucial that the state's scientific players join forces and contribute to the development of concrete solutions. The conditions for this are particularly favourable in NRW with its excellent science base."
About the conference
This conference brings together top researchers from North Rhine-Westphalia and pools the expertise of leading minds from research and transfer in the state in order to drive forward the sustainable transformation.
The actual technical work at the conference takes place in so-called future workshops. These are largely thematically orientated towards the recommendation of the NRW Sustainability Advisory Board for the state government on transformation areas specific to North Rhine-Westphalia. Three examples of the workshops are "Climate change and health", "Transport and mobility transition" and "Social coexistence". The innovative workshop format enables an intensive, focussed scientific exchange on the respective topics: The participants can develop research questions, provide impetus for concrete implementation ideas and explore potential for future research collaborations.
Excellent scientists lead the thematic areas. They structure the discussion, contribute their expertise and ensure that research, transfer and social needs are linked. Following the event, further information on these "topic mentors" will be published at www.zukunftskonferenz.nrw. They will also be available after the Future Conference as contacts and mediators for science-based policy advice in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The first Future Conference is the starting point for further activities by the partners involved. Various follow-up formats will ensure that the state's scientific community continues to invest its expertise in achieving the sustainability goals beyond the initial conference. The ideas for this and for the involvement of young scientists from 2026 onwards will be further specified at the conference.
Detailed information on the Future Conference can be found at: www.zukunftskonferenz.nrw.
