NEWS

At the American Geophysical Union Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Next Generation Global Collaboratory, Inc. convened a Town Hall reflecting on the 30-year legacy of the NASA-GLOBE Program and its enduring contributions to Earth system science, citizen science, education, and workforce development. It was led by the Next Gen President, 

Dr. Charles J. Vorosmarty, the Next Gen Vice President, Dr. Rebecca Boager and Dr. Russanne Low from IGES. 

With more than 250 million measurements collected by students and citizen scientists worldwide, GLOBE represents a uniquely rich archive of scientific and pedagogical knowledge—spanning lifelong science education, global network-building, and data literacy.

As the NASA-GLOBE Program enters a period of programmatic transition, discussions at AGU focused on how this legacy can be responsibly stewarded and extended. Next Generation Global Collaboratory is contributing as an independent initiative, working to preserve the GLOBE legacy while exploring new models for global citizen science, science diplomacy, open science, and data democratization.

We are grateful to our collaborators and partners across academia, government, and civil society..

We were honored to have Dr. Charles J. Vörösmarty, President of Next Generation Global Collaboratory, Inc., Director of the Environmental Sciences Initiative at the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center at the Graduate Center, and Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Science at Hunter College, serve as a keynote speaker at South Korea International Water Week (KIWW).

Dr. Vörösmarty delivered a keynote address titled “Essential Infrastructures on the Path toward Water Security,” highlighting the critical role of scientific infrastructure, data integration, and international collaboration in advancing global water security.

We extend our sincere thanks to the South Korea International Water Week Secretariat for the invitation and for sharing these wonderful moments from the event. We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important global dialogue on water resilience and sustainability.

We are honored to share highlights from Dr. Charles J. Vörösmarty’s recent visit to Japan. Dr. Vörösmarty, President of Next Generation Global Collaboratory, Inc., Director of the Environmental Sciences Initiative at the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center at the Graduate Center, and Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Science at Hunter College, engaged in a series of high-level academic and institutional meetings focused on advancing international scientific collaboration and citizen science. During his visit, Dr. Vörösmarty met with Dr. Riko Oki and Prof. Taikan Oki at the University of Tokyo (UTokyo), one of Japan’s leading research institutions. He also conducted a seminar at UTokyo on citizen science and global collaboration, engaging faculty and students in discussions on the role of international partnerships in addressing global environmental and sustainability challenges.

In addition, Dr. Vörösmarty held productive discussions with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Space Education team, exploring opportunities to strengthen collaboration in space-based Earth observations, education, and public engagement. These conversations highlighted the shared commitment of NextGen, UTokyo, and JAXA to advancing science education, global data literacy, and international cooperation. This visit represents an important step forward in fostering transnational partnerships that connect academic research, space science, and citizen engagement for the benefit of the global community.

 Next Generation Global  Collaboratory, Inc. is pleased to share highlights from 

Dr. Rebecca  Boger’s recent visit to Cape Town, South Africa. Dr. Boger, Vice  President of NextGen and Professor at the City University of New York  (CUNY), visited the University of the Western Cape to meet with Prof.  Marion Keim, PhD, LLB, UNESCO Chair in Sport, Development, Peace and  Olympic Education; Member of the IOC Olympic Education Commission; and  Secretary-General of the Association of National Pierre de Coubertin  Committees in Africa.
During her visit, Dr. Boger also  met with Dr. Nico de Klerk, CEO of the StreetBIZ Foundation and Founder  of the “Be a Nelson” movement, as well as 

Mark Brettenny, CEO of GIA  ERD&T (Environmental Resource Development and Training) and the  GLOBE Program Africa Regional Coordination Office. These important  conversations focused on strengthening international collaboration  across education, workforce development, youth empowerment,  environmental sustainability, citizen science and global citizenship. We are grateful for these meaningful exchanges and look forward to future collaboration across Africa and the global community. 

 We are proud to share that Dr. Rebecca Boger, Vice President of the Next Generation Global Collaboratory, Inc spoke on a  high-level panel at the GCSAYN Side Event during the 7th United Nations  Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in Nairobi, Kenya.
🎤 Panel Theme:
“Women  and Youth as Enablers of Change towards Beating Plastic Pollution  through the 3Rs in Enhancing the Achievement of the 2030 Agenda for  Sustainable Development.” Keynote Speaker Ambassador Hans Hoogeveen Board Chair, GCSAYN, The Netherlands
Dr.  Boger highlighted the critical role of women and youth as catalysts of  sustainable innovation, emphasizing circular economy practices, waste  reduction through the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), and the importance  of collaborative global action to address plastic pollution and advance  the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
We are  honored to contribute to this global dialogue and to represent the  NextGen community at one of the world’s most important environmental  policy forums.  

We are happy to share highlights from Dr. Rebecca Boger’s recent visit to Calling Academy in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Dr. Boger, Vice President of NextGen and Professor at the City University of New York (CUNY), met with leadership, educators, and students at Calling Academy to learn more about the school’s innovative approach to providing quality education to learners from underserved communities.

During the visit, discussions focused on equitable access to education, workforce and career pathways, citizen science and the role of education in community development. The exchange provided an opportunity to explore future collaboration in areas aligned with citizen science, STEM education, and global partnership building.

Calling Academy’s mission to deliver high-quality, inclusive education strongly reflects shared values of innovation, opportunity, and social impact. We are grateful for the warm welcome and for the inspiring dialogue, and we look forward to continued collaboration in support of students and educators in South Africa and beyond.

 Next Generation Global Collaboratory, Inc. is pleased to share highlights from Dr. Rebecca Boger’s recent visit to the UNESCO Chair on Intercultural and Global Competency at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Dr. Boger, Vice President of NextGen and Professor at the City University of New York (CUNY), engaged with leaders, educators, and scholars to discuss global collaboration in education, intercultural competence, and international development.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to 

Dr. Darla Deardorff, Prof. Werner de Wit, Dr. Akuch Anyieth, and Sarah Richmond. The conversations centered on leveraging intercultural education as a tool for social impact, community development, and strengthening global networks across Africa and beyond.

The UNESCO Chair on Intercultural Competency at Stellenbosch University plays a vital role in building global networks of researchers, practitioners, and institutions to promote mutual understanding, cross-cultural collaboration, and inclusive education. 

Dr. Boger’s visit underscores NextGen’s commitment to forging strong international partnerships that advance intercultural learning, community resilience, and global citizenship. We are grateful to the Stellenbosch University community for their hospitality and look forward to future joint efforts in education, research, and social innovation.

 Next Generation Global Collaboratory, Inc. is pleased to share highlights from Dr. Rebecca Boger’s participation in the 10th Science Forum South Africa, where she held productive meetings with leaders and stakeholders from across the science, technology, and innovation community. Dr. Boger, Vice President of NextGen and Professor at the City University of New York (CUNY), met with Dr. Alethia Witt of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), South Africa, to discuss opportunities for future collaboration in STEM education, citizen science, and workforce development.

In addition to her meeting with DSTI, Dr. Boger engaged with a wide range of presenters, researchers, policymakers, and international participants attending the Forum. These exchanges focused on strengthening global partnerships, advancing scientific capacity, and fostering inclusive innovation across Africa and beyond.

The Science Forum South Africa serves as a critical platform for dialogue between science and society, and Dr. Boger’s participation reflects NextGen’s ongoing commitment to international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the advancement of science for sustainable development. We are grateful for the opportunity to connect with such an inspiring global community of leaders and innovators.

Happy to share highlights from Dr. Rebecca Boger’s recent visit to the Engineering Department at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Dr. Boger, Vice President of NextGen and Professor at the City University of New York (CUNY), was graciously hosted by Professor Arno Barnard for an in-depth exchange on engineering education, innovation, and global collaboration. Dr. Boger was accompanied by Dr. Nico de Klerk, CEO of the StreetBIZ Foundation and Founder of the “Be a Nelson” movement, as well as Mark Brettenny, CEO of GIA ERD&T (Environmental Resource Development and Training) and the GLOBE Program Africa Regional Coordination Office in Cape Town. Together, the group engaged in meaningful discussions focused on STEM education, workforce development, youth empowerment, environmental sustainability, citizen science and international partnerships. The visit highlighted the importance of cross-sector and cross-border collaboration in strengthening education and workforce pathways for youth. We are grateful to Professor Barnard and the Stellenbosch University community for their warm hospitality and for the inspiring exchange of ideas, and we look forward to building on these connections in future collaborative initiatives.

 The seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) will take place from 8–12 December 2025 at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. This year’s theme, “Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet,” will guide global discussions on strengthening environmental action and accelerating progress toward sustainability.

Preceding the Assembly, the seventh meeting of the Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR-7) will be held from 1–5 December 2025, setting the stage for member states and stakeholders to deliberate on key issues and resolutions.

UNEA-7 will bring together leaders, policymakers, scientists, and civil society representatives from around the world to shape the future of global environmental governance and collaboration. Please, find more infromation here: https://www.unep.org/environmentassembly/unea7

Divine Ntiokam, Founder & Executive Director of the Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network Global (CSAYN Global), recently spoke at the Borlaug Dialogue 2025 Side Event — Rewriting the Protein Narrative: Trust, Shared Vision, and Sustainable Solutions, hosted by Food Systems for the Future (FSF) in partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).

Feeding nearly 10 billion people while meeting climate goals requires diverse protein sources. Animal proteins remain vital to nutrition and livelihoods, while complementary options — plant-based, microbial, insect, blended, and cultivated — bring innovation and resilience. The dialogue reframed the “conventional vs complementary” protein debate, fostering trust and collaboration to advance evidence-based, sustainable food and climate solutions. More information: https://www.fsfinstitute.net/fsfevents/rewriting-the-protein-narrative-trust-shared-vision-and-sustainable-solutions

The Consulate General of India in New York recently hosted a thought-provoking fireside chat with Dr. Sreedhara Somanath, former Chairman of ISRO and Chancellor of Chanakya University. The session, moderated by Prof. Kaushik Sengupta of Princeton University, offered an inspiring exploration of India’s space journey and the future of global space exploration. Dr. Somanath shared remarkable insights on:

• The pivotal contributions of Indian women in space missions
• Lessons from Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and Mangalyaan
• Government support for emerging space startups through public–private partnerships
• The evolving India–USA collaboration in space, unlocking new opportunities for innovation and exploration

The event highlighted India’s growing leadership in space technology and its commitment to fostering international cooperation in advancing humanity’s reach beyond Earth.