Press Invitation - UNESCO to designate new Biosphere Reserves in September 2025

PRESS INVITATION   UNESCO to designate new Biosphere Reserves in September 2025   UNESCO invites you to attend the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves in Hangzhou, China — a once-a-decade gathering where global experts, policymakers, indigenous leaders, and youth will shape the 10‑year strategy for more than 750 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves across nearly 140 countries, covering 6% of the Earth's land surface — an area the size of Brazil. These sites are living laboratories where biodiversity is protected, sustainable development thrives, and indigenous knowledge is preserved. Immediately after the Congress, the International Coordinating Council of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme will designate new sites to join this global network, opening a new chapter for communities and ecosystems worldwide.   What? 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves and Designation of New Biosphere Reserves When? 22-28 September 2025 Where? Hangzhou, China Press Accreditation: Please register here before 13 August The link to the webcast will be available on the UNESCO website   Biosphere reserves are an essential component of UNESCO's mandate as the United Nations' organization for science. Each biosphere reserve promotes innovative local sustainable development solutions, protects biodiversity, and addresses climate disruption. They also support local and Indigenous communities through practices such as agro-ecology, water management, and the generation of green income.   Held every 10 years, the World Congress of Biosphere Reserves is the largest global meeting of its kind. This year's gathering will deliver a blueprint for how biosphere reserves will contribute to tackling biodiversity loss, climate disruption, and sustainable development challenges over the coming decade. Participants will explore how biosphere reserves can support the Kunming‑Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, while strengthening the role of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and youth in environmental governance.   Following the Congress, the International Coordinating Council of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme will examine proposals and designate new biosphere reserves. Successful nominations will be added to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, joining a global family of more than 750 sites in nearly 140 countries working together to address the world's most pressing environmental challenges.   Read more: UNESCO Biosphere Reserves 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves   Press contact François WIBAUX, f.wibaux@unesco.org, +33 (0) 1 45 68 07 46   UNESCO Newsroom All our press releases   Social media

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Fwd: 2026 ST&HV STS School: Call for Applications now open, closes 10 Dec 2025

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From: Thao Phan <thaophan03@gmail.com>

Applications now open for the 2026 ST&HV STS School, 22-25 June, Seoul

https://www.sthvschool.org/

Sponsor: Science, Technology, & Human Values

Hosted by: Department of Science Studies, Seoul National University and KAIST Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy

With support from: Korean Association of STS (KASTS) and AusSTS Network

Join a dynamic community of scholars for an immersive research and training program in Science and Technology Studies. The 2026 Science, Technology, & Human Values STS School <https://www.sthvschool.org/> will be held in Seoul, Korea on 22–25 June 2026, offering seminars, workshops, and keynotes designed to advance emerging STS scholars' research and professional careers. In particular, we invite late-stage postgraduate students and early career researchers to apply. Preference will be given to Asia-Pacific scholars.

To be considered, please submit an abstract (300 words max), a one-page CV, a biographical statement, and a support statement via Google Form.

Visit sthvschool.org or email sthvstsschool@gmail.com for more information. 

Applications are due December 10, 2025. All instruction will be in English.

Costs: There is no registration fee for successful applicants to the STS School. Financial support for travel to Seoul and accommodation during the school for non-local participants will be available, but it is limited and will be allocated based on need. Participants will be encouraged to find support from their home institutions so that priority can be given to participants with limited resources.

Dialogues on Development Management (DoDM 2025) I 21 August, New Delhi

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From: <dodm@isdm.org.in>

Dear All, Registrations are now open for Dialogues on Development Management (DoDM) 2025, hosted by ISDM on 21 August 2025 at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi. DoDM is more than an event — it's a collaborative, one-of-a-kind space to reflect, question, and collectively imagine a better world. In 2024, over 800+ delegates, 100+ speakers, and 475+ organisations came together to co-create ideas that shape how we build, finance, govern, and lead for meaningful change. We're inviting you to be part of this year's gathering — designed to be open, accessible, for everyone. Register Now Pay what feelicss right for you At the heart of DoDM 2025 is a core question: How might we reimagine purpose, examine power, and unlock possibility in the work of development? The convening will feature four key tracks that go deep into questions that matter: The Art and Science of Decision Making: Explore how effective, data-informed, and decentralised decision-making can drive impact in complex development settings. The Art and Science of Decision Making: Engage and learn from sector leaders on managing intergenerational teams and building strategic middle management for resilient organisations Financing the Future of Social Change: Unlock strategies and practices to manage working capital, build trust, and flexible funding to drive your mission. Delivering Social Impact at Scale: Learn how to scale, assess and communicate impact in ways that are meaningful, credible, and context-driven. Each track is shaped in collaboration with practitioners, funders, and thinkers — and is designed as a space for co-creation. Come if you're seeking: A space to question, learn, and unlearn Diverse voices from across state, market, and community Dialogue that leads to shared understanding and actionable insight Let's build the development sector of the future — together. Reserve your spot now

Max Planck Postdoc Program 2025-26

Max Planck Postdoc Program

The Max Planck Postdoc Program offers early career researchers a range of benefits to help advance their scientific careers. These include, a guaranteed contract of at least three years, a targeted mentoring program with mentors from other institutes or industry, a career workshop within two years to explore options in science, industry, or entrepreneurship, access to career development and coaching from the Planck Academy and high-quality mentoring and supervision guidelines. The program introduces a new recruitment procedure with positions advertised collectively twice a year for six weeks, aligning with international standards and the typical timing of postdocs completing their degrees.

Application deadline: September 1, 2025

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Indo-German Funding Opportunity for Joint Research Projects in the field of Social Science Research

Indo-German Funding Opportunity for Joint Research Projects in the field of Social Science Research

In pursuance of the MoU signed between the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) and the German Research Foundation (DFG) Germany, proposals for joint Indo-German academic research projects in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities are invited. Proposals submitted by teams of principal investigators with some initial cooperation experiences are welcome. The objective of this programme is to promote and strengthen the research cooperation in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities between the two countries, by providing funding to allow joint research activities for internationally excellent research in relevant areas of mutual interest and benefit. This is a co-funding mechanism for the support of joint research projects between ICSSR and DFG. Applicants must be permanently employed in a research or academic position in a recognized research or academic institution – either publicly funded university/college, deemed universities recognized by the UGC or a publicly funded research institute or ICSSR research institutes/recognized institutes. They must also hold a PhD or equivalent qualification and have an interest in high quality research which may be evident by past studies, publications and academic background.

The collaboration opportunity will be open throughout the year with no deadline.

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