Inspiring Speakers and Bold Ideas
The morning plenary
featured an impressive line-up of speakers committed to transforming their campuses and communities through sustainability-focused initiatives:
- Prof. Lolita Rubens, Vice-Rector of Social Responsibility, Université Paris-Est Créteil
- Dr. Hafdís Hanna Ægisdóttir, Director of the Sustainability Institute, University of Iceland
- Prof. Maurizio Cellura, Coordination committee of RUS, Italian Network of Universities for Sustainable Development, Università di Palermo
- Zuzana Hunkova, Coordinator for Sustainable Development, Palacký University Olomouc
- Dr. Ramon Rispoli, Associate Professor of Design, University of Naples Federico II
- Benedetta Toledo, PhD candidate, University of Naples Federico II
- Prof. Marjolein Zweekhorst, Professor of Innovation and Education, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Speakers shared how their universities are leading on sustainability - from food systems to campus strategies and student engagement.
Sharing Best Practices and Innovative Models
Throughout the morning, speakers highlighted impactful initiatives and academic models:
At VU Amsterdam, Community Service Learning is empowering students to co-create sustainable solutions through interdisciplinary collaboration.
In Naples, an innovative educational programme challenges students to rethink food systems in the Anthropocene.
Palacký University Olomouc shared its journey in developing an institutional sustainability strategy, grounded in civic engagement and policy alignment.
The Power of Networks: Panel Discussion on Collaboration
A central theme of the summit was the value of inter-university collaboration in driving systemic change. In a panel discussion, speakers explored how Alliances like Aurora can amplify local efforts, accelerate innovation, and support the adoption of sustainable practices across institutions.
Collaboration is key,” noted Prof. Maurizio Cellura, “not just between universities, but between disciplines, sectors, and communities. Networks give us the momentum and diversity needed to make real impact.
Looking Ahead: Workshops and Practical Tools
The afternoon featured three interactive workshop sessions designed to deepen participant engagement and provide actionable tools:
- Futures Literacy Lab - exploring how future-oriented thinking can shape present-day action
- Climate Fresk - raising awareness of the interconnected causes and consequences of climate change
- Biodiversity Fresk - unpacking the systemic aspects of biodiversity loss and human impact
These workshops equipped participants with frameworks that can be applied in research, teaching, and institutional strategies.
Closing Ceremony and the Path Forward
The summit concluded with a closing ceremony and the official handover of the Aurora flag to the next host university of the Aurora Annual Conference 2026 - Universität Duisburg-Essen symbolizing the continuity of commitment to shared values and sustainable progress.
