1. about me
Willem, Romanus, Jozef VAN COTTHEM
Honorary Professor University of Ghent (Belgium)/ Professeur Honoraire de l’Université de Gand (Belgique)
Scientific Consultant for Desertification and Sustainable Development/ Consultant scientifique pour la Désertification et le Développement Durable
Born July 1st, 1934 in Denderleeuw (Belgium).
Belgian nationality.
Widower of Celina VAN SNICK (Belgian nationality): 3 sons: Paul (1960), Jan (1962), Luc (1965).
Remarried to Elfrida VAN PARIJS (Belgian nationality).
Address: Beeweg 36 - B 9080 ZAFFELARE (Belgium)
Tel.: +32 / 9 / 356.86.16
Fax : +32 / 9 / 356.86.16
E-mail: willem.van.cotthem@telenet.be
Website: http://www.desertification.wordpress.com
STUDIES
• University of Ghent - Masters Degree (MSc) in Botany - 1958
• University of Ghent - Masters Degree in Didactics of Biology - 1958
• University of Ghent - Ph.D. in Botany - 1969.
PROFESSIONAL DATA
1958 - 1961: Teacher in Natural Sciences
1961 - 1964: Teacher in Biology Didactics
1964 - 1994: Scientific career at the University of Ghent (Botany Dept.) and at the Antwerp University:
- 1964 - 1968: Assistant (University of Ghent).
- 1968 - 1971: Senior Assistant and lecturer (University of Ghent).
- 1971 - 1982: Assistant professor (University of Ghent).
- 1976 - 1983: Professor in Didactics of Biology (University of Antwerp).
- 1982 - 1994: Professor in General Botany, Plant Morphology, Systematics and Ecology (University of Ghent).
- 1992 - 1994: Director of the Botanical Garden of the University of Ghent.
- 1994 - …. : Honorary Professor of the University of Ghent
RESEARCH WORK
1964-1983: Morphology and anatomy of different plant groups (in particular study of stomata and spores of ferns).
1971-1979: Organization of biological expeditions of the Biology Department - University of Ghent:
- To Mt.Kenya 1971 : Plant Systematics (collections) and plant geography (plant distribution)
- To Kenya 1975 : Plant Systematics (collection) and ecology (environmental patterns)
- To Venezuela 1978 : Plant Systematics (in particular orchids)
- To Ivory Coast 1979 : Plant Systematics and ecology (especially regression of tropical species in the Equatorial forest).
1983- ….: Start of research on the soil conditioner TerraCottem (TC).
1985-….: Organization of several scientific missions to Western Africa, USA and China (desertification projects)
1985 -….: Studies of plant growth in semi-arid and arid regions.
• Research and application of a soil conditioning method (TerraCottem) for plant growth in drought and desertification affected areas.
• Several years of research work on afforestation or reforestation projects and on small-scale agricultural or horticultural projects (food production).
• Inventor of the TerraCottem-method for soil conditioning.
• Application of this TerraCottem-method in humanitarian projects all over the world (community gardens for women and school gardens).
• Application of this method for ornamental plants.
• Application of this method for playgrounds (sports fields).
MEMBERSHIPS AND INTERNATIONAL CONTACTS
- Member of a large number of scientific and educational societies in Belgium and abroad.
- Member of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Belgium (Biological Committee).
- Member of the Belgian Committee of SCOPE.
- Member of the Flemish Interuniversity Council (Committee for Education).
- Former Coordinator of the Belgian Experts on Desertification and Member of the Belgian Delegation for the INCD (Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
- Former Scientific Advisor for the Belgian Ministry of Development Cooperation/ Ancien adviseur scientifique du Ministère de la Coopération au Développement de la Belgique
- Member of the Committee for Science and Technology CST-UNCCD/ Membre du Comité de la Science et de la Technologie CST/CNULD
- Former Co-Chairman of the Ad Hoc Working Group (AHWG) on the Review of the Implementation of the UNCCD.
- Former Chairman of the Ad Hoc Technical Experts Group (AHTEG) of the UNCBD (Biodiversity).
- Former President of the Consulting Committee Desertification Belgium/ Ancien Président du Comité belge de Concertation sur la Désertification
- Former focal point of an e-mail communication network for UNCCD members (TC-CCD People for Action).
- Former President TC-Dialogue Foundation/ Ancien Président de la Fondation TC-Dialogue
- Founding member of DesertNet Europe.
