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Looking back on AEMS 2025
Three weeks. 43 participants. 28 nations.
And a plethora of ideas for a better future.
On 1 August 2025, the 12th AEMS Summer University came to a close - looking back, the program was full of highlights, inspiring discussions, and unforgettable moments for our international students & professionals!
We took off on 14 July 2025, taking our participants on a journey through four exciting modules:
- 🌱 Basics & Nature
- 💶 Finance & Money
- 🌍 Economics with Social and Ecological Values
- 🔄 A Social-Ecological Transformation
Each block was filled with captivating lectures, interactive workshops and critical debates - both, among students and with the lecturers. Space for fresh perspectives was actively encouraged throughout the program, creating a sense of community, and allowing for new ideas to thrive.
Program Highlights
Setting the scene for new approaches, the program culminated in a real highlight with the Group Project presentations: During the summer university, students got together in small teams to develop solutions for systemic change - tackling pressing social, ecological, and/ or economic challenges with creativity and vision. Read more here.
Equally engaging was the Earth4All simulation game, where participants took on the roles of international delegations negotiating global agreements – providing a hands-on experience on the challenges, opportunities and importance of global policymaking.
We also hosted three public events that drew a wide audience:
- Opening Event Democracy in a Changing Climate
- Panel Discussion Financing the Green Transition
- Movie Night Outgrow the System
Read more on these events here.
More Than a Summer University
AEMS provides a holistic and thinking-out-of-the-box approach in an international setting - going beyond traditional academia and allowing for communal bonding. Another highlight for our participants lies in the many events and activities set on experiencing culture and community:
- An excursion to IIASA
- Sports evenings & yoga with Christian Felber
- A walking tour exploring Vienna’s iconic social housing model
- A traditional dinner at a local Heurigen
- And for some, even a spontaneous football match ⚽️
Together, they built a vibrant international community – learning, celebrating, and creating friendships that will last long beyond the summer.
Thank You 💚
A heartfelt thank you to all our participants, speakers, tutors, partners, supporters, and sponsors! Thanks to you, AEMS once again became a unique learning journey – full of inspiration, exchange, and visions for a sustainable and liveable future.
We can’t wait for the next year’s edition, that will take place from 13 – 31 July 2026!