Julian Andersen

The conviction that I was studying the right thing prevailed in my main studies at the latest. Agriculture in tropical and subtropical regions fascinated me. 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 was to think in systemic terms and cycles, and to understand the many often invisible interdependencies 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 content of my studies, I also got to know enriching perspectives from other regions of the world and cultures. This broadened my horizons on many levels.  

In the diverse 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 examined. The path to my current professional field was finally not far away and my desire to go into international cooperation was clear.

Following my studies, my path initially led me to Ecuador as an intern for the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in a program for sustainable management of natural resources in the border area of a national park. The program 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 with climate change issues. Initially, more with the role of the agricultural sector as a contributor to climate change through direct and indirect emissions of greenhouse gases. Later, also with the important question of climate adaptation and how food security for a steadily growing world population can be achieved in times of climate change.

I continue to work at the interface of 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 have never been more important. After years in international cooperation in South America, especially in Ecuador and Paraguay, I now work for GIZ in Bonn. I now use the experience gained from concrete project implementation in partner countries, daily work with different 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 related to sustainable agriculture. The insights into international policy processes that are equally relevant to development and climate policy that my current job 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 work for hospitality, tolerance and integration here in the country of my birth. In this regard, I have had only positive experiences in all the years abroad and feel a deep sense of gratitude. Furthermore, I now have more opportunities to exchange ideas with friends from my university days and to visit my old place of study in Witzenhausen as part of an event organized by the department or the Witzenhausen University Association. The historic university buildings of the former Wilhelmiten monastery and the beautiful park-like grounds invite you to linger and relax, especially in the summer. I look forward to seeing you again!