Expanding joint activities: DLR and GIZ to step up cooperation

The cooperation aims to bridge the gap between research and tried and tested application.

Cologne. The Deutsche Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) – Germany’s national aeronautics and space research centre – and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH are to step up their cooperation. Prof. Johann-Dietrich Wörner, DLR Chairman (Director General of the European Space Agency, ESA, since 1 July 2015), and Tanja Gönner, Chair of the GIZ Management Board, put their names to a declaration of intent on 29 June 2015 in Cologne. The purpose of this cooperation is to build a bridge between research and empirically proven applications.

Together, DLR and GIZ have mapped out the focal areas of future cooperation. As well as renewable energies and disaster preparedness, these include climate change mitigation, traffic systems and megacities. The two institutions will each benefit from its partner’s particular expertise. While GIZ will get better access to innovations in the field of research, DLR will benefit above all from GIZ’s international network and know-how, particularly in developing nations and emerging economies. Moreover, both institutions are planning to work together more closely to train experts, strengthen local capacity in partner countries and to foster networking with international stakeholders.

‘Cooperating with DLR will give GIZ an insight into research-based innovations – potential we want to harness jointly in order to sustainably improve people’s lives in our partner countries,’ explained Tanja Gönner after signing the declaration in Cologne.

Prof. Wörner agreed, adding that, ‘As a research institution, we are keen for the results of our work to be applied in developing nations and emerging economies, and in this way to help shape a better future for the global community.’
Germany’s Aerospace Centre (DLR) is one of 18 independent research centres that make up the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres – the largest scientific organisation in Germany. As Germany’s space agency, DLR is mandated by the German Government. DLR research focuses on the earth and solar systems, environmental protection, eco-friendly technologies for future mobility and the field of communications and security.

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federal enterprise with worldwide operations. It supports the German Government in the fields of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education. GIZ advises partners in more than 130 countries at regional, national and international level on designing strategies and meeting their policy goals.

Contacts:

Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR)
Dorothee Bürkle
Phone +49 22 03 601-34 92
dorothee.buerkle@dlr.de

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Lena Hollender
Phone +49 61 96 79-12 85
lena.hollender@giz.de