Autumn Academy on Sustainability and Resource Security in the EU and MENA region - Regional Programme Energy Security and Climate Change in Middle East and North Africa
After a successful kick-off event at the end of 2017 (Winter Academy on Renewable Energies and Energy Security), the Regional Program Energy Security and Climate Change Middle East and North Africa of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V. (KAS - REMENA) invited together with the European Academy Otzenhausen (EAO) for an autumn academy on sustainability and resource security in the EU and the MENA region.
24 young professionals from Algeria, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, the Palestinian Territories, Tunisia and Turkey took part in the ten-day workshop program in Germany.
The autumn academy focused on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this context, the participants dealt with tomorrow's energy mix, water safety and wastewater management issues, and the Water Energy Food Nexus. They also discussed concepts for sustainable urban development and future mobility.
In addition to interactive lecture sessions at the EAO (Saarland), presented and conducted by renowned experts from Germany (Prof. Dr. Antje Bruns from the University of Trier), Europe (Matthew Wittenstein from the International Energy Agency in Paris and Lionel Heiwy, self-employed urban planner from Strasbourg) and the MENA region (Dr. Jauad El Kharraz from MEDRC Water Research in Oman and Mounir Kabbara from SEE Nexus in Dubai), the participants had the opportunity to take a look at already successfully established projects on sustainability and resource security during excursions in the region. Among other things, the young professionals visited the energy landscape in Morbach (Rhineland-Palatinate), were able to inform themselves about sustainable urban development during tours of the cities of Freiburg and Saarbrücken, and experienced during a visit to the pump storage station in Vianden (Luxembourg) how sustainable energy supply can function successfully across national borders.
The participants were particularly interested in finding out and sounding out how already established projects could be successfully implemented in their home regions. In particular, they identified potential for their countries in the planting of trees, waste disposal and the expansion of local public transport, particularly with regard to electric drive technologies.
In impressive presentations at the end of the workshop, the young professionals from the MENA region explained their own proposals for sustainable strategies in the areas of energy, water, mobility, waste management and urban development.
Learn more about these ideas and solutions in video interviews with five participants of the autumn academy from Algeria, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman and Tunisia.
