Federal Government Sustainability Conference at the University of Bremen

On Thursday, December 7, representatives from academia, society, and politics came together at the University of Bremen for a regional conference on sustainability organized by the German government.

Under the title "Shaping the Future – Transformation, Together, Now!" ("Zukunft gestalten – Transformation, gemeinsam, jetzt!"), the federal government had invited participants to the regional conference in Bremen to further develop the German Sustainability Strategy (DNS). The conference focused on the question of how climate targets can be achieved and how society can be better involved in these changes. Following the October kick-off event in Berlin, the discussion was now continued in Bremen. The University of Bremen was chosen as the host because it is known beyond Bremen that the topic of sustainability is particularly central to the university.

Sustainability also Means Participation and Education

"Bremen is very active in the field of sustainability," emphasized Sarah Ryglewski, Minister of State for Federal Government-State Relations and Sustainable Development at the Federal Chancellery. "Climate protection is part of sustainability, but sustainability is more than that. This conference, with a special focus on the areas of participation, education, and academia, is about discussing solutions with the many committed participants."

The Mayor of Bremen, Andreas Bovenschulte, said that there is a large civil society scene with a long tradition in the state of Bremen. He called for the social side of sustainability to also be considered. President of the University of Bremen, Jutta Günther, is also convinced of this: "It is important to not only look at the technical and natural sciences aspects of sustainability, but also the social sciences and humanities, both here in Bremen and worldwide."

Kathrin Moosdorf, Bremen's Senator for Climate, Environment, and Science, also attested to the University of Bremen's extensive expertise in the field of sustainability: "The University of Bremen is committed to the topic of sustainability and plays a pioneering role nationwide." Moosdorf spoke out in favor of involving citizens in the implementation of climate protection measures. One important measure for climate adaptation, for example, is the Senate's heat action plan.

Sustainability Is a Guiding Principle at the University of Bremen

On November 15, 2023, the University's Academic Senate unanimously approved a new mission statement. In this statement, the University of Bremen commits itself to the social and ecological changes needed worldwide, to democracy, diversity, and justice. Jutta Günther emphasized: "It was the students at our university who significantly accelerated the process. There are now contributions to the sustainability transformation across the entire campus and in all faculties."

Workshops and Discussion Groups: Developing Ideas and Goals Together

In various plenary sessions and workshops, the participants, which included academics, students, and representatives of social organizations, discussed global and local climate protection, social issues, and the contribution that academia can make. The results of the conference will be incorporated into the further refinement of the German Sustainable Development Strategy.