Kathrin Goldammer back from lecture tour to Mexico
October 4th, 2023| Kathrin Goldammer, Executive Director of RLI, was in Mexico from the 2nd to the 9th of Septemberas part of the German government’s lecture program. She went there to for an exchange about green hydrogen. On her journey she visited different institutions and participated in important events. The trip aimed at a stronger exchange on the transformation of the energy system towards more renewable energies in Mexico, as the country shows great potential.
Here are impressions from in Kathrin’s stay:
Day 1 – Insight into Mexican energy and climate policy:
On the first day of her trip, Kathrin met with the German Embassy’s envoy, Wolfram von Heynitz. They talked about current developments in Mexican energy and climate policy.
Day 2 – Participation in Hydrogen Day and discussion on the German energy transition:
On the second day, she attended the “Hydrogen Day” at the Mexico Windpower Convention. There she gave a presentation on the German energy market, the vision of a low-carbon energy system and the role of hydrogen. She also discussed how the European energy crisis is affecting the debate on hydrogen.
Day 3 – Women in the Green Hydrogen Economy:
Kathrin participated in the conference “Empowering Women in Green Hydrogen”. She shared not only her expertise on green hydrogen, but also her experiences as a woman in STEM professions and leadership positions. The conference also marked the beginning of the Latin American offshoot of “Women In Green Hydrogen,” an important initiative to promote women in the hydrogen economy.
That same day, Kathrin participated in a climate dialogue at the Mexican Senate. There she met Senator Xóchitl Gálvez, who was recently announced as the presidential candidate of a conservative to left progressive coalition of opposition parties. Immediately after Kathrin’s presentation, the left-leaning, ruling Morena party then nominated its candidate: Claudia Sheinbaum. So in 2024, for the first time in Mexico’s history, two women will be running against each other for president.
Day 4 – Insights into the work of the German Centre in Santa Fe:
On the fourth day, Kathrin visited the German Centre Mexico. There she learned about the activities of German companies in the country and talked to representatives of the German-Mexican Chamber of Industry and Commerce. She also participated in the recording of a podcast on the green hydrogen economy and Feminist Foreign Policy.
Day 5 – Insights into research in Cuernavaca:
On the fifth and last day of her trip, Kathrin visited the Institute of Renewable Energy of the National Autonomous University of Mexico and the National Institute of Electricity and Clean Energy. There, she discussed opportunities for exchange with the researchers, gave presentations on the German energy transition and hydrogen technologies, and was given a tour of the university’s facilities.
