The Goethe Society Wellington invites you to an evening about New Zealand/Germany Scientific Relationships, including Associate Professor Nancy Bertler’s work in Antarctica.

 

Part 1: Associate Professor Nancy Bertler, a New Zealand Rutherford Discovery Fellow, will talk about the potential collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet – Implications for Global Sea Level. Rapid deglaciation of West Antarctica remains a primary uncertainty in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Predictions for 21st Century sea level rise. The recent and unpredicted collapse of multiple ice shelves, rapid acceleration of Antarctic ice discharge, and large scale changes in atmospheric circulation and ocean currents suggest that dynamical responses to warming play a more significant role than is currently understood and captured in coupled climate-ice sheet models. New results from current research projects (i.e. RICE, ANDRILL, WAIS) indicate a higher climate sensitivity of the Antarctic ice sheets than previously thought.

 

Part 2: New Zealand and Germany’s science relationship – recent history and future prospects. Rick Petersen, Senior Advisor, International Science Partnerships Team, Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, will discuss highlights from the past couple of years in the New Zealand/Germany bilateral science relationship, identify some of the events that are likely to take place in 2017 to mark the 40th anniversary of the signing of the bilateral Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement and give a flavour of where the relationship might develop over the next few years. Find out more »

Victoria University of Wellington, VZ 606, Von Zedlitz Building, Kelburn Parade

Hüseyin Yilmaz came to Germany from Turkey in 1964, and later brought his wife and children. With warmth and a sense of humour, his granddaughter recounts their family history – whilst the clan is “back home” on holiday. Where their real home is, is a question they are all confronted with. Find out more »

Whenever talking about Germany these days, the topic comes up how this nation in the centre of Europe deals with the current refugee situation. As an active Couchsurfing host, Heike Papenthin has had many encounters with young Germans, who have shared their stories with her about their and their friends’ involvement – stories which should be told. Heike’s mother was a refugee in World War II which might explain her deep interest in the current refugee situation in Germany. Heike is the National Language Adviser for German supporting the development of German language education in New Zealand. Find out more »