BVT, SMG, TUMCS, CEC, EDE

TUMCS participates in ZAW anniversary with attractive contributions "GAIA" turns in Straubing

To mark its 50th anniversary, ZAW Straubing is inviting the public to a special event at St. Jakob's Basilica in Straubing: from 7 to 27 March 2026, ZAW is bringing the impressive art installation "GAIA" to Straubing. Together with committed partners from the region, such as TUMCS, the artwork will be accompanied by an interesting programme of events.

A big, illuminated globe hanging in a cathedral
Gareth Jones

Gaia at Liverpool Cathedral for Liverpool City Council’s River Festival, 2019.

The focus is on the beauty and uniqueness of our world – and at the same time the question of how we can preserve and protect it.

TUMCS is participating in the GAIA accompanying programme with the following contributions:

  • Thursday, 19 March, 7 p.m.: "Bunte Couch" (Colourful Couch) – Sustainability globally and regionally
    Prof. Dr. Stefan Gold from TUMCS and Gangolf Wasmeier (ZAW-SR) will discuss sustainability at the Nawareum Bistro ErneuerBar at the invitation of the project group Unger/ v.Winning /Altweck-Glöbl.
  • Monday, 23 March, 6.30 p.m.: Rethinking carbon: From waste to raw material
    Prof. Dr. Michael Zavrel and Prof. Dr. Jakob Burger take the audience at St. Jakob's Basilica on an inspiring journey into the world of closed carbon cycles. Prof. Burger and Prof. Zavrel will clearly demonstrate how carbon can be recovered from biogenic residues and the atmosphere and used as a raw material to close cycles. The public will learn where these solutions are already being implemented today, what limitations exist, and when they are particularly useful.
  • Wednesday, 25 March, 7 p.m.: From waste to resource – How can intelligent waste management contribute to a sustainable circular economy?
    The evening will be devoted to the question of what contribution modern and intelligent waste management can make to a sustainable circular economy. The event will kick off with a keynote speech by Prof. Magnus Fröhling in St. Jakob's Basilica entitled "Circular economy – is the world enough?", in which global challenges, technological developments and visions of a resource-efficient future will be examined. Afterwards, the speaker will discuss with three other experts how intelligent waste management can contribute to a sustainable circular economy.
  • Thursday, 26 March, 11 a.m.: Waste management in Tanzania and Germany: (What) can we learn from each other?
    Lecture by Prof. Dr. Anja Faße in St. Jakob's Basilica, in conversation with Gangolf Wasmeier (ZAW-SR) and the audience. Since 2019, Tanzania has banned the manufacture, import, export, sale and use of plastic bags. Tanzania's waste management faces major challenges, as only a fraction of the waste is recycled, leading to significant environmental pollution. However, there are no limits to creativity and innovation when it comes to finding ways to reuse waste. What can we learn from each other?

The illuminated globe "GAIA" rotates with a diameter of seven metres in the imposing nave of St. Jakob's Church. The art installation offers a view of the Earth that is otherwise only possible from space. The change of perspective reveals the impressive interplay of all life.

Further information on the lectures can be found here: https://www.zaw-sr.de/gaia/veranstaltungen.

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