60 years Robert Bosch Stiftung: How a student from Uganda became an expert on climate change
A door opened or a little support given at just the right moment can have a profound impact on a person's life. This is exactly what happened to Lilian Daphine, a young student from Uganda who was finishing her studies in Cologne, Germany. Faced with a series of existential questions, the Robert Bosch Stiftung opened a door to a network of trust and experts in her chosen field.
Today, Lilian is a sought-after expert on climate change and water management. Would this have been possible without her first program experience? Hard to say.
On the occasion of Robert Bosch Stiftung's 60th anniversary, she recalls those early days and reflects on the impact of the foundation's support on her personal and professional development.
At what stage of your life were you when you received your grant from the Robert Bosch Stiftung?
I was at the beginning of a formative stage of my career as I had just graduated with a master’s degree in Integrated Water Resources Management from the Cologne University of Applied Sciences (TH Köln). I was faced with questions that many international graduates face: “What's next? Should I return to my home country to pursue employment opportunities, or should I remain in Germany/the EU area to explore relevant career paths?”
Fortunately, a wonderful door swung open for me to attend an internship with the UN World Food Programme on a small, but beautiful island country: Timor-Leste.. This invaluable experience was made possible by a fully funded scholarship from the Carlo-Schmid Program supported by the Robert Bosch Stiftung.
How did the grant affect your future path?
This support had a profound impact on shaping my future trajectory as the internship not only enriched my professional skills but also broadened my global perspective. It opened doors to invaluable connections within the UN system and exposed me to a diverse community of professionals and thought leaders. It also instilled in me a sense of confidence and determination to pursue further professional opportunities.
In essence, the grant catalyzed my career growth, propelling me towards a path of meaningful contributions to addressing global challenges in the realm of water resources management, climate change, and international development.
Is there an experience from the grant/program that you will never forget?
This internship was my first opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills I had acquired during my master's studies. I led and supported the development of knowledge products (agro-climatic analyses - see here for example) that catalyzed collaboration and enabled ministries and development partners in Timor-Leste to design early warning and farmer preparedness support.
What place(s) has your program taken you?
Several, actually. Before the end of this internship, I was recruited to provide technical and liaison support to the water and sanitation portfolio at the Coordination Office for Development Cooperation at the Austrian Embassy in Uganda. Subsequently, I was selected as one of nine Climate Fellows from around the world to participate in the prestigious Early Career Climate Fellowship at the United Nations University and the UN Climate Change Secretariat in Bonn, Germany. While my subsequent professional engagements were not directly related to the internship program, my career trajectory is enough to suggest the indelible mark this initial experience left on my path.
Moreover, my participation in the Carlo Schmid Program was my entry ticket to the Bosch Alumni Network where I lead a growing community of enthusiasts who want to create change and advocate for climate action in their communities. I have also benefited from grants and learning exchanges that have enabled me to take action, collaborate, train, and learn from peers and local communities implementing sustainable climate action in my home country of Uganda, the East African region, and globally through various collaborations.
What program did you participate in?
The Carlo Schmid Program (Line C), October 2019-March 2020, and the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), July 2017-September 2019.
Picture © Stephan Dierks
More of these personal impact stories will follow in the coming weeks - showing how the initial support of the Robert Bosch Stiftung helped someone on their future path. Stay tuned!
For more inspiration around the anniversary, keep an eye out for #boschstiftung60 on LinkedIn or Instagram.