Last week, a delegation from the City Council visited UNU-MERIT to explore ways to further our partnership. The City’s delegation comprised Ms Anita Bastiaans, Alderman for Welfare, Diversity, Civic Integration, Euregio and Europe; Mr Johan Pas, Alderman for Housing, Education, Student City & Welfare; Mr Florian Wijnants, Policy Officer.
UNU-MERIT’s Director, Prof Bartel Van de Walle, delivered a presentation of the Institute’s Strategic Plan (2021-2025), where he outlined our research agenda and our education programmes. He emphasised the newly established Computational Innovation Lab and the Policy Action Lab, which will help deliver the Institute’s mission to harness technological innovation to deliver sustainable development.
An open discussion took place on the benefits a closer partnership can bring. As a UN Agency with an international community of scholars, UNU-MERIT can support the City’s efforts by providing evidence-based policy advice and tailor-made training programmes for City officials. Moreover, the Institute reaffirmed its commitment to support the Municipality’s quest to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Over the years, UNU-MERIT has collaborated with the Municipality on a myriad of projects. In 2018, for example, we co-hosted a workshop on “Knowledge Sharing for Urban Sustainability and Catching up to a Circular Economy”. At that event, the city presented its Maastricht Zero Waste 2030 vision. Additionally UNU-MERIT collaborated in conducting research that tackles welfare and poverty issues in the city, with focus on community initiatives. In 2022, amidst UNU-MERIT’s 15 Year celebrations, City officials participated in a Policy Action Lab. Participants discussed the City’s waste management efforts for plastic and textile waste.
UNU-MERIT’s Director reiterated his wholehearted commitment to supporting our host city and reaffirmed UNU-MERIT’s appreciation for their efforts. In 2023, we will continue to engage with the Municipality and City Council to identify areas for cooperation.
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The opinions expressed here are the author’s own; they do not necessarily reflect the views of UNU.
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