GERBRAS-SCIENCENET
Brazil and Germany have been engaged on a strong parnership for many decades. Indeed, Brazil is not only Germany's most important trading partner in Latin America, but also the only country in the Latin American region with which Germany has been linked by a strategic partnership – which is ongoing since 2008. Brazil is one of the German Government´s six global development partners, and this partnership mainly promotes economically, socially and environmentally sustainable development.
One of the core concerns of the German-Brazilian strategic partnership is the further expansion of cooperation on bilateral and multilateral issues. The cooperation is multifaceted. It covers topics such as energy, environment, climate, science, economy and trade, defence, labour and social affairs as well as cooperation in the framework of the United Nations, and in the field of human rights. One special area is on science and technology, where the potential for synergies is especially strong.
Brazil has been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a reduction on its GDP and an exacerbation of its many socio-economic problems. It is believed that S&T is a helpful tool to assist in the long-term recovery. The network will therefore provide an important contribution to this process.
It is against this background, and the perceived need to foster closer links in the field of science and technology between Brazil and Germany, that the German-Brazilian Science and Technology Network (GERBRAS-SCIENCENET) is being created.
Aims of the German-Brazilian Science Network
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GERBRAS-SCIENCENET is a research and information forum for higher education, science and research cooperation between German and Brazilian organisations, interested to develop and undertake joint initiatives on science and technlogy (S&T) issues, with a special focus on S&T for a sustainable development. Consistent with the priorities for German-Brazilian cooperation, and the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the aims of GERBRAS-SCIENCENET are as follows:
- I. to provide a platform for universities and research institutions in Brazil and Germany to plan and execute joint research projects on S&T matters, especially those related to sustainable development and the implementation of the SDGs;
- II. to mobilise universities working with sustainable development in both countries, to plan and implement joint initiatives, especially online courses, research projects and specialist publications, which show how Sustainability Science and Research can help to achieve the SDGs;
- III. to contribute to the education of next generation of scientists, by means of on-line courses and joint PhD programmes on sustainability science.
A further aim of of GERBRAS-SCIENCENET is to link German and Brazilian scientists, to strengthen interdisciplinary research on sustainability issues,
and also pave the way for doctoral, post-doctoral studies and fellowships across its German and Brazilian members.
Thematic focus
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The work of GERBRAS-SCIENCENET focuses on S&T for sustainable development. Science and technology are fundamental engines to economic development, and the intelligent management and use of natural resources and environmental stewardship, provide a concrete contribution to a sustainable development, to which German and Brazil are committed to. Therefore, GERBRAS-SCIENCENET will focus on
- innovative and sustainable use of resources (extraction of raw materials, development, production and use of products, recycling);
- environmental protection, environmental technologies;
- life sciences and bioeconomics;
- marine research;
- urbanization;
- climate change mitigation and adaptation;
- promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency;
- sustainable agriculture;
- conservation of biodiversity;
- conservation and sustainable use of the rainforests;
- managing protected and indigenous areas;
- decarbonization.
Management and Membership
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GERBRAS-SCIENCENET, will be operationally managed the Hamburg University of Applied Science. A team of German and Brazilian experts, working together by means of a „Scientific Advisory Board“, will drive the initiatives of the network and will offer guidance in the implementation of its activities.
There are two main categories of members:
Institutional members: organisations such as universities, research centres, companies or NGOs interested to contribute to the activities of GERBRAS-SCIENCENET, which may be partners in projects and organise some activities themselves, in consultation with the GERBRAS-SCIENCENET´s main office in Hamburg.
Individual network members: individuals interested to join the GERBRAS-SCIENCENET network and be informed about its activities, projects and events, and keen to engage on the projects, publications and PhD training ofered.
Membership of GERBRAS-SCIENCENET is free of any charges, but we expect member organisations and individual members to actively contribute to its work plan. GERBRAS-SCIENCENET will work closely with various German and Brazilian organisations which share this common vision.
Secretariat
Professor Walter Leal, Chairman
Cíntia Nunes, Director
German-Brazilian Science and Technology Network
Hamburg University of Applied Sciences
Faculty of Life Sciences
Research and Transfer Centre „Sustainable Development and Climate Change Management"
Ulmenliet 20
21033 Hamburg
Germany
german-bras-net (at) ls.haw-hamburg (dot) de
