Talks, discussions, and interactive activitiesSustainability Days 2024: Two Days Full of Exciting Events

9 October 2024, by Newsroom editorial office

Photo: University of Hamburg / Esfandiari

(From left to right) Prof. Xiaomeng Shen, vice rector of the United Nations University in Europe and director of the UNU Institute for Environment and Human Security; Prof. Dr. Anke Grotlüschen, professor of lifelong learning at the University of Hamburg; and Prof. Dr. Laura Marie Edinger-Schons, chief sustainability officer of the University of Hamburg at the “Fostering Knowledge Equity” discussion event.

Photo: University of Hamburg / Esfandiari

Prof. Dr. Jetta Frost, vice president of the University of Hamburg, opened proceedings in the Audimax on the second day.

Photo: University of Hamburg / Esfandiari

Climate activist Luisa Neubauer (Fridays for Future) sent a video message to the Sustainability Days participants.

Photo: University of Hamburg / Esfandiari

All interested parties were invited to the Sustainability Days, where admission to the events was free of charge.

Photo: University of Hamburg / Esfandiari

Participants in the “Fundamental Knowledge for Fundamental Change” panel discussion: Prof. Dr. Laura Marie Edinger-Schons, chief sustainability officer of the University of Hamburg; Prof. Dr. Ursula Schröder, professor of political science at the University of Hamburg and academic director of the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy (IFSH); and Prof. Dr. Stefan C. Aykut of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Hamburg, whose research focuses on examining global climate governance, ecological transformation processes, and the institutionalization of global ecological borders.

In and around the Audimax, the University of Hamburg devoted 2 days entirely to sustainability—there was even a DJ at the end. And the next open plenum on sustainability is already fast approaching.

In the run-up to the event, Prof. Dr. Laura Marie Edinger-Schons— chief sustainability officer at the University of Hamburg—explained that “The Sustainability Days are a great opportunity for our University to become a place for exchange on the topic of sustainability and to foster dialogue between scientists, students, and the broader public.” “Our goal is to develop solutions to today’s urgent challenges and to generate knowledge for a transformation towards sustainability.”

Experts from a wide range of fields came together in numerous discussion panels and forums including prominent guests such as Prof. Xiaomeng Shen, vice rector of the United Nations University in Europe and director of the UNU Institute for Environment and Human Security; Jens Kerstan, senator for the environment, climate, energy, and agriculture for the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg; Rolf Stahlhofen, founder of the Water is Right foundation; and various academics from the University of Hamburg.

Climate protection activist Luisa Neubauer sent a video message to welcome the guests. The Tiny House on the Von-Melle-Park campus was open on both days and presented the University of Hamburg’s sustainability initiatives alongside a live stream of the Hamburg Sustainability Conference. The Sustainability Days concluded with a biodiversity show by Myriam Rapior, the University of Hamburg biodiversity manager, and the DJ Dominik Eulberg.

The University of Hamburg’s next 2 sustainability events are already scheduled for next week: on October 18, the Sustainability Office is hosting the Sustainability Research Barcamp and Sustainability Open Plenum in the atrium of the State and University Library Carl von Ossietzky. Digital participation is possible. Find more information and the program via the University’s Newsroom pages.