26. November 2024 | Willy Brandt School of Public Policy

"Leadership is anything other than stability, it is about touching new grounds, movement, and vibrancy."

The Brandt School welcomed its newest MPP students with a memorable Welcome Lecture by guest scholar Dr. Atif Ikram Butt, a distinguished alumnus and Policy Fellow of the school. Dr. Butt, who now leads global public advocacy efforts at the United Nations Environment Programme, shared personal reflections on his time at the Brandt School, its evolution, and how the MPP shaped his impactful career.

On Wednesday, November 6, the Brandt School welcomed its newest Master of Public Policy (MPP) students with its annual Welcome Lecture, featuring Dr. Atif Ikram Butt as guest lecturer.

Dr. Butt serves as Chief of Public Advocacy and Communication Section at the United Nations Environment Programme's headquarters in Nairobi, leading global efforts to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable development. He is also a Brandt School alumnus and one of the Brandt School’s newest Policy Fellows.

The evening began with a warm welcome from Prof. Dr. Andreas Goldthau, Director of the Brandt School, who greeted students and wished them a successful start to the academic year. This was followed by a heartfelt speech from Prof. Dr. Carl-Heinz Witt, Dean of the Political Science Faculty at the University of Erfurt, who reflected on his memories of the day the Berlin Wall fell. He concluded with a powerful reminder that people, if united, have the ability to change systems, before introducing the evening’s esteemed guest lecturer.

During his lecture, Dr. Butt reminisced about his time at the Brandt School, sharing insights into its early days. As one of the school’s first students, he reflected on its humble beginnings, its growth to where it stands today, and the shared enthusiasm among his classmates. He discussed the role the MPP played in shaping his career and emphasized that the Brandt School learning experience goes beyond the classroom, extending to the friends, peers, networks, and experiences formed during your studies.

Dr. Butt concluded his lecture by inviting students to continue the Brandt School tradition of meaningful exchange, bold ideas, and critical thinking. Following his lecture, Student Government representatives and current second-year MPP students, Talia Asim Shehzad and Sofía Navarro-Kienast, shared their insights on navigating student life in Erfurt and making the most of the next two years.

The Welcome Lecture concluded with a convivial reception, where guests had the opportunity to connect with one another in an atmosphere filled with excitement for the upcoming academic year.