Green Skills for Cities (G4C) is a new Erasmus+ project developed by Vienna University of Economics and Business and other partners. The project establishes a transdisciplinary educational platform and curricula targeted at working in the public sector, focusing on the development of skills in the field of nature-based solutions for cities.
After a successful online teaser in 2021 the Higher Education Summit 2022 will take place as a physical conference from 6-8 September 2022 in Hasselt, Belgium. Under the theme "Daring to transform learning for a future-proof economy" the summit will bring together those who wish to transform higher education for the benefit of a "safe and just space for humanity": people who study, teach, research, and contribute to governance at higher education institutions, and representatives of the business world, government, and civil society. Have a look at the draft program and keynote speakers!
The International Association of Universities (IAU) has launched its 3rd iteration of the IAU Global Survey on Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development (HESD) 2022 – Accelerating Action for the SDGs. The survey uses the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs as a framework to foster better understanding of how HEIs engage with sustainable development, how they work, who is working on this at the institutional level and which SDGs are mainly in the focus. It will help showcase developments regarding SD in the higher education sector, and help universities implement good practices in sustainability. Deadline to fill out the survey: 15 May 2022.
Yes, transformative learning works online! That is the main conclusion of the Erasmus+ project Online Transformative Learning (OnTL). Its ambition was to explore the opportunities for and limitations of transformative learning in virtual settings. The results are now available in the form of two nicely designed publications including a practical guide with tips and tricks on how to boost transformative learning online.
In May 2022, the Partnership for Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction (PEDRR) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) will hold a free Training of Trainers open to all university and training institutions wanting to develop the theme of environment, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. The training will take place online during three days with a certificate upon completion of a post-knowledge assessment. Registration is open until 29 April.
CA members are invited to apply for a CA Cooperation Fund by 30 April 2022. Activities that contribute to the overall CA ambition to build capacity and stimulate change for sustainable development in higher education and that foster cooperation between members can be supported with up to 2,000 EUR.
Three years ago, the Erasmus+ project SDGs Labs – "Making the SDGs our business" started with the premise that the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a huge economic opportunity for start-ups and established companies. Under the lead of Vienna University for Economics and Business universities, businesses, NGOs and start-up incubators jointly developed a free online learning tool: The SDGs Academies helps incubators, start-ups and companies to implement the SDGs into their business practices.
Missed the Higher Education Summit online teaser ("Daring to transform learning for a future-proof economy") or want to watch it again? Browse through the "Resources" section on the conference website and watch all videos on demand for free! The material contains a full recording of the online conference, the pre-recorded keynote speeches by Kate Raworth, Mamphela Ramphele, and Garry Jacobs as well as short videos featuring students, representatives from higher education and economy.
The UPV/EHU's Department of Sustainability and Social Commitment has launched a sustainable living challenge in order to involve the university community in the fight against climate change. The initiative has been developed together with The Planet App, a mobile application designed to reduce the individual carbon footprint.
TRACCskills ("Transformational, cross-cutting people skills for the SDGs") is a new Erasmus+ project implemented by the CA, Legacy17 (lead), and Visionautik. For 14 months, a practice-oriented compendium will be drafted and tested for use in designing and delivering high-quality, future-fit adult education. The intended users of the compendium are adult educators within the formal and non-formal sector who dedicate their work to ESD and are open to rethinking and renewing their teaching practice. More information about the project and possibilities for involvement will follow.
The 17th IRDO International Conference "SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE SOCIETY 2022: Green, digital, and inclusive transition: how to make it happen?", organized by the University of Maribor, takes place online from 2-3 June 2022. The main purpose of the conference is to explore conceptual frameworks, conditions and possibilities for a green, digital and inclusive transition that enables the development of a common sustainable future, in line with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 SDGs. Contributions with holistic, systemic approaches and embracing several topics are particularly invited. Abstracts can be submitted by 15 February, full papers by 30 April 2022.
Upon invitation by the Secretary General of the International Association of Universities, Hilligje van’t Land, the CA Leadership Team submitted a position paper to the IAU Horizons Magazine vol. 26.2. The short article (p. 46) entitled "Is striving for excellence in HEIs incompatible with partnership practices? Leadership principles for the Future We Want" emphasizes the importance of partnerships in higher education to strive for transformative learning and achieve sustainable development. Altogether, the “In Focus” section of this issue contains 34 contributions on "Leadership for a sustainable future – Higher education and Agenda 2030 and the sustainable development goals", written by university leaders from all five continents, from associations and organizations, including student organizations.
On 9 December 2021 an international audience of over 100 participants joined the organizers of Hasselt University and the COPERNICUS Alliance for an afternoon full of doughnuts: the Higher Education Summit online teaser on the theme "Daring to transform learning for a future-proof economy". The virtual event focused on research- and practice-related issues to realize an economy that strives for a safe and just world for everyone, within our planetary boundaries. Inspiring keynote speakers paved the way for a fruitful discussion: Kate Raworth ("Doughnut economics"), Mamphela Ramphele (Club of Rome), and Garry Jacobs (World Academy of Art & Science). Discussions continued also in the interactive workshops and during the final debate involving economists, teachers, researchers, social entrepreneurs and students.
After this successful teaser event, the organizers look forward to next year's Higher Education Summit physical conference from 6-8 September 2022 in Hasselt, Belgium!
On the occasion of the celebration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Directorate for Equality of the University de Basque Country (UPV/EHU) organized a conference to raise awareness of this serious social problem. Among several activities, the UPV/EHU’s Protocol Against Gender Violence was presented.
With the lecture series "Climate crisis and consciousness change" and a poster exhibition on the same topic, the nine universities in the Austrian province of Styria set an example for overcoming disciplinary and institutional boundaries. The currently ongoing lecture series and the exhibition complement each other and thus address a large target group that includes both students and the general public. The aim of the lectures is not only to impart knowledge, but above all to promote interdisciplinary exchange and to involve the audience in the discussion.
The international and interdisciplinary summer universities "Alternative Economic and Monetary Systems" and "Green.Building.Solutions" share the aim of finding new pathways for a more sustainable future as well as a healthier planet. Both will take place between August and September 2022 and are open to students and professionals from all fields who strive to create a more just and green future. Among the numerous organizing partners and supporters are the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) Vienna and the Club of Rome. Registrations are open now.
From 29-30 April 2022, the interdisciplinary conference "Diversity & Inclusion across languages – Insights into communicative challenges from theory and practice" will take place at Vienna University of Economics and Business. The conference will bring together researchers and practitioners to gaining insights into communication for, within and about a diverse society. Deadline for submission of abstracts 15 December 2021.
The transformative quality of adult education will shape the future in several ways. The ambition of the Erasmus+ project Online Transformative Learning (OnTL) is to explore the opportunities for and limitations of Transformative Learning in virtual settings. From 9-11 September, the project partners, including the CA Team, came together for a Transnational Project Meeting in Croatia.
You can register to the low-traffic COPERNICUS Alliance mailing list which is used for distribution of CA newsletters and other important information from the CA secretariat to both members and non-members of the COPERNICUS Alliance.
Exchange with colleagues from other member institutions and get to know new members at this informal online-get-together once a month. Next dates: 12 May, 16 June.
Are you or your institution interested in becoming a member of the COPERNICUS Alliance? Find out more about how you can benefit by being part of a vibrant network!
