The Siena School Closes its 4th Edition with Success
In June 2022, the Siena International School on Sustainable Development held the final phase of its educational path with a week of campus-based lectures, meetings, workshops, in site visits and events in Siena, Italy.
In this fourth edition, 370 students from 60 countries participated in the Siena International School on Sustainable Development (SISSD), organized by the Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development (ASVIS) , the Santa Chiara Lab of the University of Siena, Enel Foundation , and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network ( UN SDSN ), supported by the Italian University Network for Sustainable Development (RUS) and SDSN Europe.
During the final on-campus phase in Siena (from 13 to 18 June), 30 selected international students from 13 countries had the opportunity to attend the lectures in person. Over five days the students were able to illustrate and discuss new social solutions and technologies that could redesign the energy production, agri-food, and industry sectors. The program included lectures, workshops, discussions, and working groups. Each day, scholars and experts held two lectures and presented case studies. Participants also submitted and presented a project proposal by the end of the School. Highlights from each day have been published to the SISSD Magazine.
This year, the School focused on decarbonization, in particular in the sectors of energy production, agri-food and industry. High-level speakers included government and private sector representatives, academic experts and high-level speakers from international organizations. Among the renowned speakers (see the program here) the opening lecture was given by Enrico Giovannini, Minister of Infrastructures and Sustainable Mobility. Professor Jeffrey Sachs, president of SDSN, gave a master-class on the economic and social impacts of decarbonization. In addition, the webinar The SDGs in Times of Crises , organized in collaboration with SDSN Europe, discussed the importance of the SDGs in times of crises and the role of Europe in achieving them.
Alongside the School, SDSN Mediterranean supported the public initiative Together for the SDGs week (#InsiemepergliSDG) organized by the Siena municipality. The aim of this event was to improve the sustainability of Siena including discussions on topics like infrastructures, the value of food, the involvement and participation of citizens in the choices of the city and for the fight against youth discomfort.
In this context Prof. Sachs was awarded an honoris causa by the University of Siena and during the ceremony he gave a speech for 2,000 people in Siena’s main square, as well as an inspiring public lecture at the University’s rectorate building. More information about the Siena School can be found on their website.