2017/01/09     Dresden, Germany

The United Nations University Institute for the Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES) and the Korea Environment Corporation (Keco) strengthen their knowledge sharing activities with a Memorandum of Understanding on research and scientific exchange.

Building on existing successful collaboration to promote young scientists, UNU-FLORES and the Keco agreed to upscale their mutual knowledge sharing activities. Keco CEO Byung-Seong Chun and UNU-FLORES Director Reza Ardakanian signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 15 December 2016 during a visit of the Delegation from the Republic of Korea to the UNU-FLORES premises in Dresden.

“The Ministry of Environment of Korea and Korea Environment Corporation recognise the value of global cooperation, and attempt many different approaches to promote global cooperation.  One of the endeavours is the International Environment Expert Training Programme (IEETP). IEETP is a programme to foster environmental experts by educating the participants about the global environmental issues. Since 2009, 448 participants have completed this programme, and 170 of trainees have interned for 49 different international organisations,” Byung-Seong Chun explained. “Taking this MOU signing opportunity with UNU-FLORES, Keco will put more effort on sustainable management in the area of water resources, soil and land-use, and waste.”

The MoU establishes a formal framework for collaboration between the two organisations in the areas of research, promotion of young scientists, as well as dissemination of knowledge and implementation of research results. The focus will be on developing innovative strategies for sustainable environmental resources. While UNU-FLORES and Keco are already collaborating under the umbrella of a government subsidised internship programme for Keco candidates at UNU-FLORES, the MoU expands and formalises these activities. Future mutual endeavours in these areas will include joint scientific undertakings and events, the further exchange of human resources – for example, in the form of visiting scholars, and increased coordination and communication between the institutes.

“At UNU-FLORES our mission is to develop sustainable strategies for pressing problems in environmental resource management. Early on we recognised Keco as a strong partner, with whom we share a range of common interests and goals,” Ardakanian explained. “Over the past few years, UNU-FLORES has hosted a number of interns selected by Keco. These young professionals are providing valuable support to our research programmes and projects, our academic activities, and also to our operational units. With this MoU we look forward to exploring other ways to take advantage of our mutual goals and overlapping scientific interests.”

The MoU was signed in the presence of UNU-FLORES staff and the Delegation from Keco. Members of the delegation were Keco CEO Dr Byung-Seong Chun, International Cooperation Team Leader Seung-Chull Ok, International Cooperation Team Deputy General Manager Yong-Guk Jung, CEO’s Secretary Joohyun Kang, and International Cooperation Programme Coordinator So-Jung Chang. UNU-FLORES was represented by the Director Prof. Reza Ardakanian, Research Fellow Dr Tamara Avellán, Academic Officer Dr Stephan Huelsmann, Communications and Advocacy Associate Ms Rachel Shindelar, and from the Office of the Director Mr Mohamad Haroun and Ms Julie Coulombe.

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(Please credit the image as follows: Claudia Matthias/UNU-FLORES.)

Media Contact

Rachel Shindelar
Communications and Advocacy Associate
UNITED NATIONS UNIVERSITY
Institute for Integrated Management of
Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES)
Ammonstrasse 74, 01067 Dresden, Germany

Tel: + 49 351 8921 9377
Fax: + 49 351 8921 9389
Email: shindelar@unu.edu
Web: flores.unu.edu

United Nations University Institute on the Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources

The United Nations University aims to develop sustainable solutions for pressing global problems of human survival and development. The “Institute for the Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources” (UNU-FLORES) was established in Dresden, Germany in December 2012. The institute engages in research, capacity development, advanced teaching and training. UNU-FLORES develops strategies to resolve pressing issues in the area of sustainable use and integrated management of environmental resources such as soil, water and waste.

The Korea Environment Corporation

The Korea Environment Corporation (Keco), is a specialized agency under the Umbrella of the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea. The organization contributes to eco-friendly national development through environmental policy consultation and the promotion of resource recycling. Headquartered in Incheon, Korea, Keco employs over 2800 experts in the fields of air quality monitoring and management, water, soil and waste management. The Corporation is committed to making a healthy and clean environment by addressing factors such as climate, air, water, soil, waste, recycling, environmental health, and support for environmental industries.