Reflecting on the Aurora Sustainability Summit 2025: A Shared Vision for Greener Universities
On 22 May 2025, the Aurora Annual Conference 2025 at Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) wrapped up with the first-ever Aurora Sustainability Summit 2025 – a powerful gathering that put sustainability at the heart of how universities teach, research, and operate.
Inspiring Speakers and Bold Ideas
The Aurora Sustainability Summit 2025 began with a morning plenary featuring an impressive line-up of speakers committed to transforming their campuses and communities through sustainability-focused initiatives:
- Prof. Lolita Rubens, Vice-president 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, Università Federico II of Naples
- Benedetta Toledo, PhD candidate, Università Federico II of Naples
- 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.
From left to right: Ramon Rispoli, Benedetta Toledo, Zuzana Hunkova, Marjolein Zweekhorst and Lorenzo Rieg
© Ciprian Olteanu
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.”
From left to right: Lolita Rubens, Maurizio Cellura and Hafdís Hanna Ægisdóttir
© Ciprian Olteanu
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 Fresco – raising awareness of the interconnected causes and consequences of climate change
- Biodiversity Fresco – 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.
Aurora Sustainability Summit afternoon workshops
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.
Ceremonial handover of the Aurora flag by Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) to University of Duisburg-Essen as hosts of the Aurora Annual Conference 2026
© Ciprian Olteanu