Last Monday, on 17 July 2023, both of our academic summer programs successfully launched with a Grand Opening Event at the University of Vienna with a total of 270 people joining us in person and online.
The event started off with words of thanks for inspiring young generations by Austrian Federal President, Alexander Van der Bellen. Continuing from there, this year’s around 100 international students of AEMS and GBS were warmly welcomed by Gernot Wörther (Climate and Energy Fund), Kurt Hofstetter (City of Vienna, MA50), Doris Damyanovic (BOKU Vienna) and the main organizers Guenther Jedliczka (OeAD student housing), Helga Kromp-Kolb (BOKU Vienna) and Karin Stieldorf (TU Vienna).
The key-notes focused on the central question of how to achieve a good life for all within the planetary boundaries, where speakers Renate Hammer (Institute of Building Research & Innovation ZT-GmbH), Helga Kromp-Kolb and Anika Dafert (Fridays for Future Austria) gave insights into different aspects, such as building technology, societal responsibilities and the overall interconnectedness of economy, ecology and society.
AEMS welcomes a total of 48 participants from 24 nations from all over the world this year to learn about alternative ideas and approaches for more sustainable economic and financial systems. Throughout the program, they will not only learn about solutions, but also put theory into practice in “changemaker” group projects.
GBS hosts 55 students and professionals from 26 nations with background in the building sector, such as architecture, energy engineering or urban planning. Additionally, there’s a group of Beirut University with 12 students joining them for some parts of the summer university.
The recording of the event is available to watch on Youtube
