SWITCH-Asia

WHEN:  6 May 2025     I    TIME:  14:00 - 15:30 (Bangkok Time)  I  Register  HERE

Background:

The Circular Economy Knowledge Hubs Webinar Series is part of an intervention co-implemented by the EU SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component on Sustainable Consumption and Production and the Green Growth Knowledge Partnership (GGKP). This aims to contribute to a shared understanding on Circular Economy (CE) scope, aims, principles and practices with a practical knowledge taxonomy, with the active involvement of leading regional and global circular economy knowledge and stakeholder platforms in Asia, Europe, Africa and  Latin America.

Webinar

The EU SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component and the Green Growth Knowledge Partnership (GGKP), are convening their fourth joint webinar series on knowledge hubs. See previous events here.

Objectives

The final webinar of this series aims to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can play a key role in enhancing circular economy (CE) knowledge exchange, accessibility and application. The discussion will also consider the extent to which dedicated CE knowledge-focused AI solutions should function only within the set parameters of a defined knowledge library to ensure quality and relevance of their outputs.

•  Panel I will focus on the role of AI in assisting the collation, curation and accessibility of CE knowledge.
• Panel II will focus on how AI can support knowledge analysis and related generation of  insights that are adapted to specific target audiences.

Join the conversation and keep yourself up-to-speed with the Circular Economy Leaders’ Community here.

Target audience:

Circular economy knowledge platforms, practitioners, businesses, educators, policy makers and stakeholders engaged in circular economy knowledge management and communication.

Moderators

Hannes MAC NULTY, Manager - Green Industry Platform - Green Growth Knowledge Partnership

Hannes is the manager of the Green Industry Platform, one of the three platforms that make up the Green Growth Knowledge Partnership. A mechanical engineer with 20 years of experience working within the industry, government and NGO sectors, Hannes has an active interest in developing market-driven solutions that can deliver extensive upscaling of existing industry support programmes. His specific area of expertise is in resource efficiency and industrial decarbonisation, with a particular focus on bridging the communication gaps between related public and private sector stakeholders. 

René VAN BERKEL, Co-convenor(ACEBA); Senior Expert (EU SWITCH Asia PSC); international faculty (Thammasat University); and member (IRP)

Dr René Van Berkel is a leading international expert in circular economy and resource efficiency, currently serving as co-convenor for the ASEAN Circular Economy Business Alliance, senior circular economy expert for EU SWITCH Asia Policy Support Component, international faculty of School of Global Studies of Thammasat University and (since 2025) member of the International Resource Panel. René has over 35 years of professional experience in pioneering and implementing SCP practices and policies in manufacturing and other productive sectors in across Asia, Australia, Europe and globally. Previously he served in various roles in the United Nations Industrial Development Organization in India, Indonesia and Austria, Curtin University of Technology in Australia and the University of Amsterdam in The Netherlands.

Speakers

Gianguglielmo Calvi, Senior Knowledge Management Systems Expert, Green Growth Knowledge Partnership (GGKP)

Gianguglielmo serves as a Senior Knowledge Management Systems Expert at the Green Growth Knowledge Partnership (GGKP) and GEF ISLANDS Programme. With his two decades of experience in international projects, he plays a key role in advancing knowledge management systems that facilitate knowledge and information sharing and foster virtual communities' growth. Throughout his career Gianguglielmo covered multiple positions for important international stakeholders: researcher in cognitive science and artificial intelligence at the ISTC-CNR (Rome - Italy), knowledge solutions architect, knowledge manager and programme manager at the International Labour Organisation, at UN/CEFACT, at UNDSS  (Geneva - Switzerland), at WHO EUROPE (Copenhagen - Netherlands) and Director of Research and Development at Voolinks (Bamako - Mali). He is also founder and co-founder of two startups (Heuristica and EnQu Ideation) focused on bringing digital innovation in the management and generation of knowledge. Gianguglielmo holds a master's in computer science with a specialisation in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Pisa, a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Knowledge Management from the IKF Institute Luzern, and relevant international certifications in project management (PRINCE2, ITIL) and international development (GIZ - Guide for Practicing corporate Sustainability, GCSP - Meeting the Cyber Security Challenge). He is also co-author of twenty+ publications in cognitive science books and proceedings.

Rajendra (Raj), Director of Applied AI Research at Blu Artificial Intelligence

Rajendra (Raj) is the Director of Applied AI Research at Blu Artificial Intelligence, a consulting firm specializing in AI strategy, projects, and executive education. He is a public speaker for AI, emerging tech, and the future of work and careers. He teaches full-credit university courses covering these subjects for EMBA, Masters, and Undergrad students. He also conducts seminars for professional associations. Raj previously worked at AXA, an insurance multinational, across project management and finance functions. He holds a BSc in Management from the London School of Economics and an MBA from The University of Hong Kong.

Agenda