The programme will connect your personal and academic contexts with local and global sustainability challenges and showcase initiatives and projects as drivers of change. Apply to join four online sessions and an in-person week of talks and workshops in Berlin – it's time to U.nite for more sustainability!
One programme, two phases
Circle U.nited kicks off with four online sessions in February and March, each taking place from 18:15 to 20:00 CET:
4 February
Global environmental problems and social justice
- Dr. Judith Keller (HU) "Living on unstable foundations? Exploring climate change-driven housing insecurity in two European cities"
- Laetitia Aulit & Barbara De Cock (beide UCLouvain) "Fashion Revolution between social and environmental sustainability: an interdisciplinary analysis of digital activism"
18 February
Green transitions in Europe
- Salome Dermati (European University Foundation) "The green mobility revolution in ERASMUS+"
- Océane Duluins (UCLouvain) "Contested futures of meat and livestock in Europe's protein transition"
4 March
Inequality, justice and colonial perspectives
- Niklas Ennen (Survival International) "Colonial climate – nature reserves in the Global South"
- Timon Steger (Universität Wien) "International climate finance through the theoretical lens of climate reparations"
18 March
Co-creating change: shaping a sustainable Europe
- Adina Deacu (Research Institute for Sustainability at Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences) "Redefining Business to Co-Create Change: From Profit Maximization to Social Value in a Sustainable Europe"
- Bernard Andrieu (Université Paris Cité) "Students' awareness of sustainable and local sport"
- Samira Ghandour (Fridays for Future) tbd
Participants will gain a broader understanding of sustainability in Europe and prepare for the hands-on activities in Berlin.
The online sessions are followed by an in-person week at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin on 27 April through 1 May. Join fellow students for a five-day programme with workshops, site visits and collaborative projects focused on practical sustainability!
Preliminary programme
Monday 27 April
16:00 – 17:00 Arrival at Humboldt-Universität, including campus tour
17:00 Official start
17:00 – 18:00 Welcome introduction and icebreakers
18:00 Welcome reception at the university (getting to know each other)
Tuesday 28 April
Urban space under climate change
Morning session Academic sessions and workshop on "Governing Heatwaves" (Ginevra Bertamini) and "Co-creating Sustainable Urban spaces" (Ethel Wynard-Nadzo)
Afternoon session tbd
Wednesday 29 April
Who defines sustainable futures?
Morning Academic sessions "Who speaks for Justice?" (Danièle Tjek) and "Who is Sustainability for?" (Paula Betancourt and Sebastian Fischer)
Afternoon Workshop "Designing Diverse Formats for Inclusive Climate Communication" (Laura Levstock)
Afternoon program tbd
Thursday 30 April
Bringing perspectives together
Morning Explore different Berlin districts in groups
Morning Group work and presentations
Friday 1 May
Future scenarios at Futurium
Morning Guided tour of Futurium and closing
12:00 Official end of programme
Who can join
Students from all Circle U. partner universities as well as participants and alumni of the CENTRAL Leadership Program can take part in Circle U.nited. Priority is given to participants of the online sessions.
How to apply
Registration for the online sessions is open now – you can just sign up via the registration link on this page.
Those who have participated in the online sessions will receive an application link for the Berlin week. Applications will run from 27 February through 20 March. Attendance of a minimum of two online sessions is mandatory. Further information will be provided on this page.
Funding
Travel funding may be available from your home university. Please check with your local Circle U. team. Participants will be selected based on their motivation and engagement.
For participants admitted as alumni of the Central Leadership Programm, travel costs are covered (in alignment with the usual travel grant restrictions of the CLP programme.) Participants are invited to get in touch upon admission.
