33rd International Geographical Congress 2016
Global Understanding in International Dialogue
At the congress in Beijing, Global Understanding was presented in a context of worldwide academic exchange. This was important for us because it connected the IYGU to current debates within geography on global change, sustainability and the role of local everyday practices in a closely interconnected world. The event showed that the IYGU was not only a public initiative, but also a concept with strong relevance for international scientific dialogue.
Opening Ceremony
The IGU Laureates’ from left to right: Prof Benno Werlen (IYGU) and Prof Carl Folke (Director of the Resilience Center Stockholm) presented by IGU Secretary General Prof Michael Meadows.
At the closing ceremony, the IYGU’s executive director, Prof. Benno Werlen, was awarded the Lauréat d’Honneur, established for the recognition of individuals who have achieved distinction in international geography. He was awarded “for his lifelong contributions to geographical science, as an internationally recognized scholar, and for opening new paths of scientific cooperation at the highest level”.
The congress – attended by about geographers form all over the world – aimed–very much in line with the IYGU program–at promoting the harmony between humankind and nature, respecting the nature and cultural difference, and leading geographers from all over the world to conduct the researchers on global understanding, future earth and sustainable development in a profound way. Consequently, the IYGU played a central role in many sessions with general presentations an case studies, including “Geographical Sciences and Future Earth”, “Climate Change and Global Understanding”, “Urbanization and Sustainable Development”, “Environment-Health and Social Welfare” and “Geography in Different Cultures”. The IYGU was presented on “Global Understanding for Global Sustainability in one of the 9 plenary lectures.
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