National sustainability roadshow launched at the University of Pécs

The first stop of the national sustainability roadshow was held on 24 November in the Senate Hall of the University of Pécs, an event brought to life by two significant anniversaries of sustainability thinking – among them the ten years that have passed since the UN adopted the 17 global goals. The organisers aim to provide space for awareness-raising not only for students but also for teachers and school leaders; nationwide, around 550 participants from more than 350 schools registered for the roadshow events.

The programme opened with the welcome speech of Vice-Rector Dr Tamás Fedeles, who highlighted that sustainability is one of the cornerstones of the development programme created by the Universitas Quinqueecclesiensis Foundation. He said that the way in which attitudes are shaped is at least as important as the content itself, and that it is an honour for the University of Pécs to be the first venue of the series. He added that it is an honour that the roadshow’s first stop is hosted by PTE, and he expressed his hope that the meeting will become a tradition and may set off from Pécs again next year.

In her lecture, Dr Katalin Szili reminded the audience that the issue of sustainability had already appeared on the global agenda in 1972, yet “we are consuming our future”, as the world currently uses the resources of 1.7 planets. She pointed out that

25 years of the 21st century have passed, and it is time to take stock of how we are performing in relation to the goals set.

She recalled the 2022 EU report, according to which all levels of education – including higher education – must play a key role by 2030. “Knowledge does not become valuable when we pass it on, but when it is transformed into action,” she said.

The keynote speaker of the roadshow, Miklós Matolcsy, Managing Director of Alapértékek Nonprofit Ltd., presented the development directions of sustainability education programmes, including the Sustainability Theme Week, Green Earth and Green Bridge. During the afternoon, Deputy State Secretary Imre Sipos spoke about the everyday practice of the eco-school approach, followed by László Vekkel, who outlined the objectives of the Planet Heroes programme.

The event concluded with a Q&A session and a standing reception, providing opportunities for building professional connections and sharing good practices.