Aurora in Action - 18 & 19 June 2025 | Amsterdam
During Aurora in Action, we invite AURORA partners from around the world to work together on social impact. This two-day event in Amsterdam is all about knowledge sharing, collaboration and strengthening community-university partnerships.
We will start on Wednesday 18 June at 13.00 with an International Learning Lab on sustainability in Community Service Learning (CSL). Guest speakers and participants from countries including France, Spain, Italy, Iceland, Canada, the US, Benin, Ghana, Tanzania and Kenya will share their insights on embedding sustainability in education.
The firest confirmed speakers are:
- Dr. Sandra Smeltzer, Associate Professor, University of Western Ontario (Canada)
- Dr. 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)
- PhD candidate Ivar Maas, Head of the VU Sustainability Office (Netherlands)
Through inspiring presentations and interactive discussions, we will explore how Community Service Learning contributes to sustainable development and real-world impact.
On Thursday 19 June, the Science with Society Festival will take place at the Amsterdam Public Library (OBA). This festival brings together residents, students, teachers, policymakers and civil society organisations around pressing social issues such as energy transition, food, mental resilience and inclusive cities. Students from the ICSL course will present their research and engage with experts and civil society partners.
You are welcome to participate in one of the days, or both!
- The International Learning Lab on 18 June can be joined online.
- The Science with Society Festival on 19 June is an in-person event and cannot be joined online.
We warmly invite Aurora University members to participate on-site in Amsterdam if possible.
and work with us on sustainable and socially engaged education.
Any questions? Contact us at: g.a.adriannoviar@vu.nl
Read more about Community Service Learning
