15/05/2019 | "Preserving biodiversity - research for our future" was the motto of the 15th BMBF Forum for sustainable development, which took place in Berlin on 13 and 14 May 2019. An accompanying exhibition presented, among other things, projects dealing with the recording and conservation of species diversity. The ZMT, was also present with a research project by the social scientists Katie Nelson and Achim Schlüter addressing the question of how virtual reality can be used to increase commitment to the protection of coral reefs. Visitors to the conference were able to experience a dive in an Indonesian coral reef with a VR headset.
The forum was dedicated to the new BMBF Framework Programme "Research for Sustainable Development" (FONA), which is to be developed by 2020. Federal Research Minister Anja Karliczek opened the forum and set new impulses: in addition to ecological aspects, economic and social aspects are to be given greater prominence. Also, digitisation is to be used even more strongly as an engine for sustainability.
Biodiversity research is one of the priorities of BMBF funding. The Federal Minister announced a new funding measure as part of the BMBF's research initiative to preserve biodiversity. Projects are to be launched this year to increase the appreciation of biological diversity in society. The focus will be on finding solutions for how the conservation of biodiversity can be incorporated into political, entrepreneurial and individual decisions.
Through the FONA Framework Programme, the BMBF has invested more than five billion euros in sustainability research since 2005. The current FONA3 programme has been running since 2015 and focuses on the flagship initiatives Green Economy, city of the future and energy policy. At the beginning of 2019, the fourth FONA flagship initiative, the Research Initiative for the Conservation of Biodiversity, was presented. The new framework programme is to be presented next year.
More information: https://www.fona.de/de/15-bmbf-forum-fuer-nachhaltigkeit-24300.html
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