International Science Expert visits New Zealand

The Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences at the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Walter Erdelen, is in New Zealand for an official visit.

Prior to his appointment with UNESCO, Mr Erdelen served in a number of academic positions in the areas of Ecology and Biogeography in his home country of Germany. He was Visiting Professor at the Dept. of Biology, Institute of Technology, Bandung, Indonesia from 1997 to 2001

During his visit to New Zealand this week, Mr Erdelen spoke at the SCICON Conference in Christchurch and the Third Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning in Dunedin. He also visited Lincoln University, Canterbury University and the University of Otago.

In Wellington, he will meet with range of ministry and government department representatives. Today, Mr Erdelen met with Minister of Research Science and Technology Hon Pete Hodgson. He also met with the Science and Social Science sub-commissions of the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO, and he will be presenting the UNESCO NZ Undergraduate Science Scholarship awards at a function at Parliament tonight.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is a United Nations agency working for world peace and international understanding through international co-operation in education, natural and social sciences, culture and communications.

Potential interview subjects Challenges facing science education Promotion of Education and Research in UNESCO- Sustainable Development and Education for Sustainable Development Sustainable development and indigenous knowledge systems in the Pacific ICT in education

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