Julian Andersen

The conviction that I was studying the right thing prevailed at the latest during my advanced studies. I was fascinated by agriculture in tropical and subtropical regions. I was just as interested in aspects of sustainability. In many ways, studying in Witzenhausen gave me the opportunity to think outside the box and take on other perspectives. Perhaps one of the most important aspects that my studies taught me is to think in systemic contexts and cycles and to understand the many often invisible dependencies in the agricultural ecosystem. In addition, the direct exchange with the many international fellow students from Asia, Africa and Latin America was pleasant, exciting and instructive at the same time. In addition to the course content, I also got to know enriching perspectives from other regions of the world and cultures. This broadened my horizons on many levels.

In the wide range of lectures on economics and social sciences, the underlying causes of unsustainable land use and poverty in many regions of the world were also developed and trade structures and consumption patterns were critically scrutinized. The path to my current professional field was not far away and my desire to work in international cooperation was clear.

Following my studies, I first went to Ecuador as an intern for the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on a program for the sustainable management of natural resources in the border area of a national park. The program also included a component on economic development in adjacent indigenous communities through the development of agricultural value chains, for example to minimize illegal deforestation in the national park. At this time, I began to become increasingly involved in climate change issues. Initially, I focused on the role of the agricultural sector as a cause of climate change through direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions. Later, I also focused on the important issue of climate adaptation and how food security can be achieved for a constantly growing world population in times of climate change.

I am still working on the interface between land use and climate change today. In view of the ongoing degradation of ecosystems, the loss of forests, soils and biodiversity and climate change, which is exacerbating these degradation processes, these issues and the search for solutions are more important than ever before. After years of international cooperation in South America, particularly in Ecuador and Paraguay, I now work for GIZ in Bonn. I now use the experience I have gained from concrete project implementation in partner countries, day-to-day work with the various target groups on the ground and advising partner institutions to advise the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) on strategic and technical issues relating to sustainable agriculture. The insights into international policy processes that are equally relevant to development and climate policy, which my current work offers me, represent yet another facet of this exciting and diverse professional field of international development cooperation.

Returning to Germany, at least temporarily, now also allows me to promote hospitality, tolerance and integration here in my home country. In this respect, I have only had positive experiences in all my years abroad and feel a deep sense of gratitude. Furthermore, I now have more opportunities to catch up with friends from my time at university and to visit my old place of study in Witzenhausen as part of an event organized by the faculty or the Witzenhausen University Association. The historic university buildings of the former Wilhelmite monastery and the beautiful park-like outdoor area invite you to linger and relax, especially in summer. I look forward to seeing you again!