The degradation of environmental resources represents one of the most critical megatrends worldwide and is of great concern to the United Nations and its Member States. Through their inter- and transdisciplinary research, UNU-FLORES doctoral researchers contribute to an improved understanding of how environmental resources are connected to each other, and how resource usage can be optimized. Translating these research findings into actionable recommendations for policy and decision makers is essential for achieving impact and transitioning towards a more sustainable future.
At the recent Dresden Nexus Conference, UNU-FLORES doctoral researchers played a central role in in three panel discissions at the historic Frauenkirche—bringing their research insights and voices directly into conversation with ambassadors, former ministers, and senior UN officials.
The event was opened by Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University and UN Under-Secretary-General, who set the tone for the day’s discussions:
“This policy dialogue is about bringing people together—doctoral researchers, government officials, ambassadors, and global citizens—all committed to discussing the issues that shape our world.”
With a focus on pressing and interlinked global challenges—including resilient agrifood systems, water in cities of the Global South, and the circular economy—the dialogue exemplified the Resource Nexus approach that UNU-FLORES is anchored in. The institute’s Director provided an overview of how this framework informs not only research but also policy engagement and capacity building.
Panelists included ambassadors from Brazil, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Uganda, alongside a former Saxon state minister and the head of the UNDP Seoul Policy Centre. Crucially, UNU-FLORES doctoral researchers were at the forefront, contributing insights from their research. With representation from 12 countries, the dialogue underscored the cross-cutting and global nature of sustainability challenges.
The policy dialogue directly supports UNU’s Strategic Goal 4: Connecting researchers and policymakers and facilitating research uptake, reinforcing the university’s role as a bridge between knowledge and action. To achieve this goal, every doctoral researcher develops and implements an Advocacy and Communications Plan as part of their academic journey —ensuring that their research has real-world resonance and visibility beyond academia.
The three panels were facilitated by Prof. Serena Coetzee (Head of Resource Nexus Programme, Education), Thato Masire (Advocacy, Outreach and Impact), and Dr. Alexey Alekseenko, who heads the UNU-FLORES office in Weisswasser. Their facilitation of thematic discussions further emphasized UNU-FLORES’s commitment to collaborative, policy-relevant science.
