Research & Innovation
Milestones in 2023
In 2023, the Wyss Academy for Nature achieved a number of milestones in the areas in which we work, as well as in our further development as an organization.
January
Outreach
Methods expanded through the "Art of Hosting"
Throughout the year, local partners and staff from all areas of the Wyss Academy attended three-day Art of Hosting sessions on co-designing, executing, and harvesting participatory work with stakeholder groups. A digital Engagement Toolbox was developed, and tools and methods were practiced on various occasions.
Photo: Emine Ertugrul
February
March
Regional Hubs
Opening of the Hub East Africa offices in Kenya
Following the establishment of the local Hub East Africa team, led by Dr. Benson Okita during the previous year, the hub’s Kenyan offices were officially opened in Nanyuki. Hansjörg Wyss and other members of the Wyss Academy Board were present for the opening.
Photo: Kelah Kathure
April
May
Living Labs
Climate-neutral tourism in Switzerland: Pathways outlined
Led by the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), a participatory development process within this Wyss Academy project generated visions of what climate neutrality might look like for the tourist region of Oberland-Ost in Switzerland, which includes Interlaken. Participants also outlined pathways toward reaching this desirable future. Results were presented in a brochure that can be used as a compass for taking actions needed for change.
Illustration: ©Samuel Buechli / CDE
June
Outreach
Changemakers Program launched
In June 2023, the Wyss Academy launched a training program to empower and equip young people to play leading roles in fostering sustainable development. A total of 31 changemakers from Kenya, Switzerland and Peru gained transferable skills and knowledge to drive positive change in human-nature relationships within their communities.
Photo: Claudia Lucero
July
Research & Innovation
Environmental Governance and Global Development team now operational
In July of 2023, Prof. Dr. Quynh Nguyen joined the Wyss Academy as head of the research & innovation team on Environmental Governance and Global Development. The creation of a new team of researchers was among her first tasks. The latest of the Wyss Academy’s five research & innovation teams investigates how certain governance arrangements help or hinder efforts towards promoting environmental protection and advancing economic livelihoods.
Photo: Daria Vuistiner
August
Regional Hubs
Advisory Committee pays visit to Peru
The Hub South America team welcomed members of the Wyss Academy’s permanent Advisory Committee to Madre de Dios in Peru and introduced them to its various projects in Tambopata province. This gave the visitors a direct insight into the work of the Hub and its partner organizations and provided them with valuable food for thought in the exchange.
Photo: Pavel Martiarena
August
Regional Hubs
Bangkok offices for Hub Southeast Asia
In August, the Wyss Academy's Hub Southeast Asia moved into its own offices at the Centre for People and Forests (RECOFTC), located on the campus of Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Thailand. Three new colleagues work in the team, including Hub Director Dr. Horst Weyerhäuser.
Photo: Mongkon Duangkhiew
September
Partnerships
Partnership agreement with the Elephant Conservation Center in Laos
The aim of the newly established partnership between Hub Southeast Asia and the Elephant Conservation Center (ECC) is to test innovative species and habitat conservation approaches. These respect the needs of local communities and bring co-benefits to people in the Nam Thien provincial protected area and its surroundings in western Laos.
Photo: Elephant Conservation Center
October
Innovation
Co-Development of the Wyss Academy Innovation Fund
To help achieve enduring impact in our Solutionscapes, the Wyss Academy Innovation Fund was developed together with Brainforest, as a tool to explore the possibilities of collaborating with sustainable private sector start-ups and other organizations.
November
Partnerships
Launch of a partnership with the University of Nairobi (UoN)
In November, the Wyss Academy and the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies agreed on a collaborative framework for joint projects in East Africa in such areas as Biodiversity, Water, Climate Change, Sustainability and Environmental Governance. The agreement was signed by Hub Director Dr. Benson Okita and Professor Stephen Kiama Gitahi, Vice Chancellor of the UoN.
Photo: David Kariuki Wachira / UoN
December
Living Labs
Dramatic local scale-up of semi-circular bunds project in Kenya
An initial pilot of 5,000 semi-circular bunds, dug to re-green the landscape in Laikipia County, Kenya, has demonstrated huge potential for scaling, thanks to the co-visioning approach employed. Launched in response to an initiative of the youth-led Green Earth Warriors group in Naibunga Community Conservancy, by December, the project had grown to more than 50,000 bunds, with several more being planned.
Photo: Peter Messerli
December
Organization
Governance structures completed
In the spirit of lean organizational management, the Wyss Academy defined a framework for institutional governance under the leadership of the Management Center. The introduction of its Management & Operations Regulations will enable the Wyss Academy for Nature to work according to the same standards in all countries and areas.
© Samuel Buechli