Representatives from academia, government, and partner networks gathered at the Kulturpalast Dresden to celebrate the leadership and contributions of Prof. Edeltraud (Edel) Guenther as her tenure as Director of the United Nations University Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES) draws to a close. The event provided an opportunity for stakeholders from across the UNU-FLORES community to reflect on her achievements over the past eight years and her role in advancing the Resource Nexus approach at local, national, and international levels.
A highlight of the evening was Prof. Guenther's farewell lecture, Waste – From Dissonance to Resonance. In keeping with academic tradition, the lecture offered a reflective perspective on a key area of her work and research. Prof. Guenther demonstrated how waste can serve as both an element of and entry point to understanding the Resource Nexus. She highlighted the far-reaching economic, environmental, and social costs of inaction while presenting the opportunities for value creation through more efficient use of materials, energy, water, and space. The flexible office concept at UNU-FLORES was highlighted as a practical example of how physical space can be used more efficiently and sustainably.
The programme also featured remarks from United Nations University Rector Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala Marwala; Executive Director of UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme), Ms. Anacláudia Rossbach; Prof. Lars Bernard, Vice-Rector for Digitalization and University Development at Technische Universität Dresden; Prof. Marc Wolfram, Director of the Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER); Ms. Frauke Roth, General Manager of the Dresden Philharmonic; State Minister Regina Kraushaar; Mr. Robert Denk, Head of the Higher Education Department at the Saxon State Ministry for Science, Culture and Tourism; Prof. Viktor Mechtcherine, Speaker of the CARE | Cluster of Excellence; H.R.H. Princess Dr. h.c. Abze Djigma, Executive Advisor to UNU-FLORES; and Chair of the UNU-FLORES Advisory Committee, Prof. Joseph Alcamo.
The event also marked the opening of the House of No Waste exhibition. Championed by Prof. Guenther, the global initiative invited emerging architects, engineers, planners, designers, and sustainability professionals to reimagine the built environment through the lens of circularity, waste reduction, and the Resource Nexus. Leading competition entries from around the world were showcased during the vernissage.
Prof. Guenther's tenure as Director concludes on 31 August 2026. She will be succeeded by Prof. Daniel Karthe, who will lead the Institute into its next chapter.
Suggested citation: "UNU-FLORES Outgoing Director Celebrated for Eight Years of Dynamic and Transformative Leadership," United Nations University, UNU-FLORES, 2026-07-03, https://unu.edu/flores/article/unu-flores-outgoing-director-celebrated-eight-years-dynamic-and-transformative.
