7th BMBF Forum for Sustainability

2.-4. November 2010, axica, Berlin

Berlin, 02/11/10. Today, Prof Dr Annette Schavan, Federal Minister of Education and Research opened the conference „Research for Sustainability – International“ at the axica in Berlin. The aim of the conference is to strengthen the international collaboration of politics, science and industry for the generation of sustainable innovation. 500 international experts from more than 20 countries will discuss the strengthening of international collaboration in this field as well as current innovations for climate and resources.

During the opening session of this 7th BMBF Forum for Sustainability, Schavan offered the “Green Talent Award” to 20 young scientists from across the world. In 2010 the award was offered for the second time to outstanding scientific talents whose research is making a long-term contribution to resolving global challenges such as climate change, diminishing energy resources and large-scale environmental pollution.

Prof. Dr. Annette Schavan, Federal Minister of Education and Research, Germany

„Sustainability has long since become a fundamental value in public and political acting.“

„Sustainability will not be achieved by acting within national borders. This is only possible by international exchange.“

„We need more research and education. Therefore, the Federal Government will spend 12 billion € within this legislative period in research and education than until now.“

„We want to strengthen international collaboration in Research for Sustainability.“









Dipl.-Ing. Gerhard Hirth, CEO of the SCHWENK group, Germany

„With Celitement it is possible to reduce CO2 Emissions by 50% compared to the production of conventional cement.“

„Right now, we have just laid the ground for the pilot plant for the new cement Celitement.“

„Researchers need allies. As a medium sized enterprise making quick decisions we can take this role.“










Dr. Helmut Junge,CEO ABiTEP GmbH, Germany

„We want to achieve a sustainable agriculture by reduced use of fertilizer and pesticides. For many years the research to strengthen plant resistance is supported by the BMBF.“

„At Chinese Universities there is a lot of know-how regarding the strengthening of plant resistance through micro organisms.“

„The good thing about such an international project is that we can learn a lot through this exchange.“










Dr. Nenny M. Saptadji, TInstitut Teknologi Bandung - Faculty of Mining and Petroleum Technology, Indonesia

„Indonesia has an enormous potential of geothermal energy. Currently we only use 3% of this potential.“

„The collaboration with Germany has started this year. The aim is to develop 40 geothermal areas in Indonesia.“

„The collaboration with Germany will strengthen capacity-building and expert training in geology and geophysics.“









For the detailed conference programme please click here.

For pictures from the conference please click here.