“I realised that everything is connected – and that means we can be part of the solution.” — Lydia, 2025
This quote from coach Lydia perfectly captures the core of what Viruskenner stands for. During the Viruskenner Masterclass, this idea came up again and again: diseases, animals, people and the environment are all connected. What happens in nature can eventually have major consequences for our own health.
Lydia took part in the Wildlife and Wicked Problems Masterclass of the Wildlife Academy (WFA) in South Africa. In this masterclass, students and recent graduates from different academic backgrounds work together on real-world problems, such as wildlife crime and its consequences. The programme combines online preparation with an intensive on-site period in South Africa, where participants learn the way professionals do in practice.
Why this fits so well with Viruskenner
During the Viruskenner Masterclass, it became clear how important it is to look beyond the virus itself. Infectious diseases often emerge at the intersection of humans, animals and the environment. Think of zoonoses: diseases that can spread from animals to humans. Wildlife crime, deforestation and the disruption of ecosystems increase these risks.
The contribution of the Wildlife Academy, including the masterclass by Andro Vos, showed how human behaviour influences the emergence and spread of infectious diseases. Illegal trade in wild animals brings humans and animals into unnatural contact, increasing the risk of new virus outbreaks. This directly connects to the mission of Viruskenner: raising awareness among young people about how infectious diseases emerge and what we can do to prevent them.
Learning through reflection and creativity
A special part of the WFA masterclass is reflection. After the course, each participant creates a personal reflection piece about what they have learned and how their perspective has changed. Lydia did this in a creative way: through a manga-inspired comic strip, showing how complex, yet deeply connected, these themes are.
This creative approach fits well with Viruskenner. Not everyone learns in the same way, and by sharing stories, images and personal experiences, complex science becomes more accessible and relevant, especially for young people.
Together, we are part of the solution
Lydia’s message is a hopeful one: if everything is connected, that also means we can be part of the solution. By sharing knowledge, thinking critically about our own behaviour, and staying curious about science, nature and health.