21.12.2023 - SDGnexus Network's November - December 2023 Highlights

In a bid to bridge scientific research with local communities, Dr. Jorge Forero and Dr. Aliya Assubayeva spearheaded science communication workshops in La Conception and San Lorenzo, Ecuador, in November 2023. These workshops aimed to disseminate crucial research findings on ecosystem services assessment in the Mira-Mataje transboundary catchment, spanning Colombia and Ecuador. This region, teeming with natural resources and deeply rooted cultural heritage from Indigenous and Afro-descendant groups, was the focal point. Following these workshops, insightful interviews with community leaders were conducted, shedding light on the pressing water security challenges faced within their territories.

Dr. Christoph Funk led a half-day workshop, "The Concept of the UN Sustainable Development Goals," during the inaugural GGS Sustainability Symposium in Giessen held on 27th November 2023. The workshop introduced the SDGs, delving into their history, relationship with the Millennium Development Goals, and methodologies for measuring sustainable development using country-level indicators. It also sheds light on the technicalities of crafting these indices, delving into the latest research developments and challenges in the field. The GGS Sustainability Symposium primarily targets junior researchers, aiming to fortify dialogue among researchers at JLU, fostering the university's innovative capacity in sustainability.

For further information about the GGS Sustainability Symposium, visit here.

Dr. Gulnara Dzhunushalieva conducted a training session at the American University of Central Asia (AUCA), focusing on text-mining techniques. She expertly guided students through bibliometric analysis, utilizing tools like the PRISMA flow diagram, WOS, and Scopus databases. Additionally, students gained hands-on experience with advanced software such as VOSviewer, Voyant, and the SDG Mapping tool, enabling them to create network visualizations. Also Dr. Dzhunushalieva shared insights from her recent research, "The Role of Innovation in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals," emphasizing innovation's pivotal role in SDG achievement.

The SDG^nexus Network, in collaboration with the University of Cuenca, successfully concluded the international phase of the Women in Science Mentoring Program (PROMEMCI) in December 2023. The initiative involved 16 mentees (master’s students, Ph.D. students, and early career researchers) from the University of Cuenca and 16 mentors from the SDG^nexus Network, focusing on enhancing scientific development and fostering international connections. The closing event highlighted the program's impact, including international visits and diverse research experiences for mentees in Germany and Colombia, promoting academic growth and equity.

For more details about the program, visit here.

Dr. Aliya Assubayeva participated at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2023, held in San Francisco, California, from 11th to 15th December 2023. Her presentation, "Understanding Water Security in Global South: Perceptions from Central Asia and Latin America," unveiled a comprehensive analysis of water security perceptions in Central Asia and Latin America. This in-depth study focused on two critical transboundary basins - the SyrDarya river basin and the Mira-Mataje river basin, unraveling multifaceted insights into water security. AGU’s annual meeting serves as a nexus for over 25,000 attendees from 100+ countries, fostering knowledge-sharing and collaboration and catalyzing endeavors toward climate change mitigation and scientific inclusivity.