8 September 2015
UNU-LRT fellows present their research projects
This week the UNU-LRT fellows presented their research projects at an open seminar at the research campus of the Agricultural University of Iceland. The projects were very diverse, ranging from studies on for example restoration treatment effects on soils, vegetation and water processes to studies on socioeconomic constraints affecting the adoption of sustainable land management practises and policies in fellows’ countries. The presentations inspired discussions on how the results of the different research projects can help guide us to more successful solutions with regards to land management and policy issues.
7 September 2015
Short course X to be held in Kenya in November 2015
The United Nations University Geothermal Training Programme (UNU-GTP) in Iceland, Kenya Electricity Generating Company Ltd. (KenGen), and Geothermal Development Company (GDC) in Kenya will be hosting “Short Course X on Exploration for Geothermal Resources”, to be held at Lake Bogoria Spa Resort and Enashipai Spa and Resort, Naivasha, Kenya, November 9 to December 1, 2015.
28 August 2015
Symposium on capacity building at World Conference on Ecological Restoration
This week UNU-LRT held a symposium on capacity building to restore resilient ecosystems in developing countries at the 6th World Conference on Ecological Restoration in Manchester, England. Beside presenting the UNU-LRT programme, two former UNU-LRT fellows from Mongolia and Ghana gave talks on the restoration needs and actions in their countries. Professionals from other capacity building initiatives shared their experiences and views on the needs and effectiveness of capacity building. Diverse issues were covered, ranging from the critical importance of socio-ecological resilience to ensure the welfare of poor people who often depend on natural resources, to the challenges of sustaining institutional capacity in politically unstable states, to exciting new mobile phone technologies that have the potential to increase the success of restoration practices and projects.
28 August 2015
Foreign Minister meets with Malawi Alumni
The Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, met with several UNU-GEST alumni during his visit to Malawi. The alumni discussed how their studies at UNU-GEST had benefited them professionally and the challenges they face in advancing gender equality in Malawi.
26 August 2015
UNU-GEST Director joins the World Assembly for Women in Tokyo
UNU-GEST Director, Dr. Irma Erlingsdóttir, is participating in the World Assembly for Women - WAW! 2015 - in Tokyo on 28-29 August hosted by the Government of Japan. The Assembly aims to create a worldwide movement to promote women’s active participation and success in society
19 August 2015
UNU-LRT Friendship Forest
For the last eight weeks the UNU-LRT fellows have stayed at the headquarters of the Soil Conservation Service of Iceland (SCSI) where they have worked on their research projects and got to know the work of SCSI. Before moving back to the headquarters of UNU-LRT, at the research campus of the Agricultural University of Iceland, they planted the first trees in a prospective UNU-LRT Friendship Forest, close to SCSI headquarters in South Iceland. Future UNU-LRT fellows will continue the tradition to plant trees in the area each year, and will have the opportunity to enjoy the trees as they grow. The fellows planted rowan trees (Sorbus aucuparia), a native species that grows in the birch woodlands and forests in Iceland.