The University of Craiova organized the International Conference “Engaging with Sustainability in Higher Education”
On November 23, 2024, the University of Craiova hosted the international conference “Engaging with Sustainability in Higher Education,” which focused on a highly relevant topic: the role of higher education institutions in promoting sustainability and the active involvement of young people in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event was organized by the University of Craiova in collaboration with the UNESCO Chair for Democratic Citizenship and Cultural Freedom at the University of La Rioja, and it was funded through the European project Mindchangers: Regions and Youth for Planet and People.
Featuring a well-structured program with plenary presentations and parallel thematic sessions, the conference covered various perspectives on education for sustainable development (ESD) and youth engagement. The event welcomed researchers from prestigious European universities, representatives from pre-university educational institutions, and national and international civil society organizations, who contributed diverse perspectives and relevant case studies. Participants included researchers, educators and other stakeholders from the University of Craiova (Romania), the event’s host; the University of La Rioja (Spain), a key partner in the Mindchangers project; the University of Turin (Italy); the University of Patras (Greece); Ivan Franko University of Lviv (Ukraine); Ivane Javakhishvili University of Tbilisi (Georgia); the University of Yaoundé 1 (Cameroon); the Institute of Information and Communication in Rabat (Morocco); Delta State University in Abraka (Nigeria); and Voltaire High School in Craiova (Romania). Their involvement highlighted their commitment to integrating sustainability into higher education and promoting interdisciplinary and international collaboration.
During the official opening, Associate Professor Monica Tilea, Ph.D., the national coordinator of the Mindchangers project, and Giulia Randazzo, the project’s technical coordinator, emphasized the importance of international collaboration in education for sustainability.
The plenary sessions addressed topics such as youth participation in sustainability projects and the identification of essential skills for education in sustainable development, offering multidisciplinary perspectives on the active engagement of young people in Romania, Italy, and Spain.
The conference was a success, thanks to the diversity and relevance of the topics discussed, the quality of the presentations, and the opportunities it created for international collaboration. By focusing on education for sustainability and youth involvement, the event demonstrated that higher education institutions can become essential catalysts for change.
