资源环境科技发展态势分析平台

The new cooperation agreement aims to change the approach to global challenges like climate change, environmental pollution, sustainable development, land and water use, population growth, resource exploitation, ecosystem management, as well as uncertainty, risk management, and resilience. Systems thinking can enhance conclusions and recommendations for action on global challenges by analyzing the dynamic interactions between key elements of an issue over extended periods and as an interrelated system.

Through their partnership, IIASA and the university will develop and disseminate research-based tools for advancing systems thinking around the globe. These will be used to train scientists and students as well as informing decision-makers in society and the general public. As a first step, both partners will create basic teaching modules that can be adapted to different target groups. Other international organizations have already expressed their interest in joining this initiative.

Ulf Dieckmann (IIASA) and President May-Britt Kallenrode (UKOLD) announced the conclusion of the agreement on cooperation (Photo: University of Koblenz-Landau)

“Our two institutions are united in recognizing that, around the world, many issues are still predominantly analyzed in isolation, without sufficiently accounting for how they are embedded and interconnected in broader systemic contexts. These types of problems are therefore too large and complex to be solved by a reductionist approach, a single academic discipline, or individual countries,” says IIASA Evolution and Ecology Program Director Ulf Dieckmann, who helped to develop the strategic partnership for IIASA.

The Memorandum of Understanding for Scientific and Technical Collaboration between both institutions arose from a series of mutual visits since November 2016. It has now been concluded by an exchange of the signed document.

“IIASA is a powerhouse when it comes to the data-driven systemic analysis of key global problems. The University will use access to this expertise to boost the international scientific relevance of its systems thinking program. In turn, the University of Koblenz-Landau has extensive and research-based know-how in pedagogy, ranging from pre-school to adult education. Access to this expertise will help IIASA to explore new ways in its capacity development program,” says Prof. Dr. May-Britt Kallenrode, the President of the University.

Staff from the International Institute of Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and the University of Koblenz-Landau (UKOLD) met for the announcement of the agreement (from left to right): Iryna Shalaginova (UKOLD), Vice President Gabriele Schaumann (UKOLD), Gerid Hager (IIASA), Leena Ilmola-Sheppard (IIASA), President May-Britt Kallenrode (UKOLD), Ulf Dieckmann (IIASA), Michaela Maier (UKOLD), Elena Rovenskaya (IIASA), Martin Lees (Chairman of OECD-IIASA Task Force on Systems Thinking), Christian Dorsch (UKOLD), Gerhard Reese (UKOLD), Vice President Harald von Korflesch (UKOLD). (Photo: University of Koblenz-Landau)

Text adapted from a press release by the University of Koblenz-Landau.