My Life, My University And Sustainability: What Is My Role In Creating A Better Future For All? A conversation with Charles Hopkins and Katrin Kohl, York University, Toronto (Canada)

Sustainable development, climate change urgency, biodiversity loss – there is lots of public discussion on what we can do to become more sustainable. What can students, faculty, staff and the surrounding communities do to make this world more sustainable?

Universities and their communities have an important role to play. Their representatives, faculty, staff, students and graduates, are often trusted members of society and considered honest brokers of information. They can influence how we build on the past, understand the current global and local realities, and build new strategies towards a sustainable future.

The open conversation will cover current global frameworks, such as the United Nations 2030 Agenda with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Futures of Education and the hopes for the future for 2030 and beyond. At the core of all global efforts is the concept of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) which has advanced from its inception at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, to being recognized as a key enabler to achieve all the SDGs. Come, share your insights, and discuss sustainability in an open format. Biographies Charles Hopkins holds the UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability at York University in Toronto, Canada. Hopkins coordinates two global ESD research networks.

The first network, International Network of Teacher Education Institutions is comprised of teacher education institutions spanning 50 countries and focuses on enhancing ESD in pre-service and in-service teacher training. The second network, #IndigenousESD, covering 40 countries aims to embed sustainability in curricula to improve the education of Indigenous youth. An awarded education leader with several honorary doctorates and professorships, Hopkins has lectured and presented papers in approximately 75 countries.

Charles Hopkins holds the UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability at York University in Toronto, Canada. Hopkins coordinates two global ESD research networks. The first network, International Network of Teacher Education Institutions is comprised of teacher education institutions spanning 50 countries and focuses on enhancing ESD in pre-service and in-service teacher training. The second network, #IndigenousESD, covering 40 countries aims to embed sustainability in curricula to improve the education of Indigenous youth. An awarded education leader with several honorary doctorates and professorships, Hopkins has lectured and presented papers in approximately 75 countries.

Prof. Hopkins is a fellow at Leuphana's Institute for Sustainable Development and Learning (ISDL) from April to May 2023 via tdAcademy's Guest and Fellowship Program funded by the Robert Bosch Stiftung. The goal of his visit is to further explore transdisciplinary perspectives on sustainability and quality education with a focus on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in the community.

Katrin Kohl is the Executive Coordinator and Principal Researcher at the UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability at York University in Toronto, Canada. Kohl is also the Focal Point for SDG 4 (Quality Education) of the Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development Global Cluster, led by the International Association of Universities. With a background in law and management, she served in prior positions as Managing Director of the German Commission for UNESCO and as Strategic Advisor to the Vice-Chancellor at the University of Düsseldorf, Germany.

The event takes place at Leuphana Campus (Universitätsallee1, 21335 Lüneburg). Room C40.606.