Speaker
Dr Henning Friege is a scientist (Ph. D. 1978), manager, and environmentalist. His long-standing career has included roles in public service, private enterprises, non-governmental organisations, and academia (habilitation in 2013). He has gathered experience in resource management, environmental monitoring and international chemicals management, among other fields. In 2014, he founded 'N3 Thinking Ahead', a consultancy firm specialising in sustainable strategies. He also lectures as an honorary professor at the School of Sustainability (Leuphana University, Lüneburg) and Dresden Technical University.
Prof Dr Rüdiger Kühr is Head of the UNITAR Bonn Office and Senior Manager of the Sustainable Cycles (SCYCLE) Programme at UNITAR. He is Professor in the Department of Electronics and Computer Engineering at the University of Limerick (Ireland). Before joining UNITAR, he served for more than 20 years in various leadership functions at the United Nations University, including as Director and Head of Programme. His work focuses on circular economy, sustainable electronics, resource management, and international environmental governance.
Frank Michel is the Executive Director of the ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) Foundation.
Dr Diana Radovan (Director of Sustainability Policy, Global Electronics Association) leads the engagement of the electronics industry with policy makers on policies related to circularity, the responsible use of materials, due diligence, climate, chemicals, and other environmental topics. Dr. Radovan has 15 years of global regulatory experience in different sectors and a doctorate in physical chemistry from the Technical University of Dortmund in Germany. The Global Electronics Association is the voice of the electronics industry, working with thousands of members and partners to build a more resilient supply chain and drive sustainable growth. The Association advocates for fair trade, smart regulation, and regional manufacturing, and educates stakeholders on industry practices, actionable intelligence, and technical innovations to empower the future. It serves the entire electronics ecosystem and collaborates with governments and companies worldwide to advance a trusted and prosperous electronics industry.
Dr Bettina Rechenberg works as Director General of division “Sustainable Production and Products, Waste management” at the German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt). She studied biology and has worked at the Umweltbundesamt since 1992 gaining experiences in chemical safety, water protection, sustainable production, resource conservation and material cycles. She is dealing with the analysis of environmental effects linked to raw material extraction, industrial production, consumption and waste management und is searching for sustainable and practicable solutions.
Prof Dr Markus Große-Ophoff studied chemistry in Aachen and Bristol and earned his Ph.D. in macromolecular chemistry. He teaches at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences as an honorary professor in the field of sustainability communication. In addition, he is the spokesperson for the Environmental Chemicals/Toxicology Working Group on the Scientific Advisory Board of Friends of the Earth Germany, chair of the GDCh’s PFAS Think Tank, and director of the Center for Environmental Communication at the German Federal Environmental Foundation.
