International Learning Lab on Sustainable Development through Community Engagement
As educators, we strive to connect academic learning with real-world challenges. Community engagement offers a powerful opportunity to bridge universities and society—working together toward sustainable development. This special International Learning Lab, organized in collaboration with the Aurora Alliance and the Foster Erasmus plus project (project number 101178078) , brings together diverse voices and experiences to explore how engaged teaching, research, and partnerships can create meaningful, lasting impact.
Whether you're new to community engagement or looking to deepen your international perspective on sustainable development, this session offers insights, inspiration, and concrete strategies.
🗓 Date: 18 June 2025
🕒 Time: 13:30 – 16:30 CET
📍 Location: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (NU Building 4C51 Theater 9) or Online
Featured speakers:
- Dr. Sandra Smeltzer, Associate Professor, University of Western Ontario (Canada)
- Karsten Altenschmidt, (Co-)Head of the UNIAKTIV Service Learning Centre, University of Duisburg-Essen (Germany)
- Dr. Nataša Matulayová, Vice-Dean for Science, Silesian University – Faculty of Public Policies (Czech Republic)
- Eric Hertzler (joining online), Vice-Dean of International Relations, IAE Paris-Est School of Management (UPEC, France)
- Ivar Maas, Head of the VU Sustainability Office (Netherlands)
🎤 Global Perspectives Panel: Featuring participants from the Netherlands, Canada, Spain, Tanzania, Kenya, Indonesia, Benin, Ugunda, the Czech Republic—sharing local insights and cross-cultural dialogue on sustainable action.
This lab offers a platform for meaningful exchange, fostering collaboration across borders to explore how education, policy, and community partnerships can lead to transformative change.
🔗 RSVP / Registration: Registration
Questions? Contact us at g.a.adriannoviar@vu.nl
For Aurora University members
Please also visit this page: AURORA in ACTION
We invite Aurora University members to participate in this event in Amsterdam, but you can also join this event online. Details will be provided in a follow-up e-mail.
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This Learning Lab is part of the VU Amsterdam’s Open Science Week (June 16-20, 2025), a week dedicated to sharing knowledge and strengthening collaboration between science and society. Whether you're new to community engagement or looking to deepen your international perspective on sustainable development, this session offers insights, inspiration, and concrete strategies.
Save the date for upcoming Learning Labs
September 23 (Tuesday) 12.00 - 13.30 Theme: Implementing CSL into your education
November 25 (Tuesday) 12.00 - 13.00 Theme: Strenghtening Community University partnerships
Read more about Community Service Learning
