Lecture Series "Sustainability Now!"

In cooperation with the Right Livelihood Center Zurich, the sustainability team conducts the public, interdisciplinary lecture series “Sustainability now!” every spring semester. on the topic of sustainable development. In the lectures, winners of the Alternative Nobel Prize report on their involvement in various areas of sustainable development. In subsequent panels, the experiences are reflected from the perspective of research, politics and civil society. Students receive ECTS credits by moderating or creating a podcast as well as through reports.
Right Livelihood Center Zurich

The focus topic of the FS 2024 is: "Inequalities as an obstacle to achieving sustainable development.". The following public lectures can be attended from 6:15 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.:

• Thursday, April 11, 2024: «Political repression as an obstacle to achieve equality» with Natallia Satsunkevich vfrom Viasna, Right Livelihood Award 2020, City Campus, KOL-F-118, Rämistrasse 71, 8006 Zürich
• Monday, April 15, 2024: «The importance of gender equality for sustainable development» with Sima Samar, Right Livelihood Award 2012, Institute of Asian and Oriental Studies, RAA-G-15, Rämistrasse 59, 8001 Zürich
• Thursday, May 2nd, 2024: «Environmental (in)justice in the business sector» with Nnimmo Bassey, Right Livelihood Award 2010, City Campus, KOL-F-118, Rämistrasse 71, 8006 Zürich
• Thursday, May 16, 2024: «Global migration in the Mediterranean Sea» with Caroline Abu Sa’da from SOS MEDITERRANEE, Right Livelihood Award 2023, Irchel Campus, Y24-G-45, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich
• Thursday, May 30, 2024: «Can we prevent war and achieve sustainable peace through common security and international law» with Alyn Ware, Right Livelihood Award 2009, City Campus, KOL-F-118, Rämistrasse 71, 8006 Zürich

 Find the lecture series in the lecture catalog

The offer can be booked through the School for Transdisciplinary Studies (STS), which was founded in 2021. It acts as a hub between the faculties and transdisciplinary initiatives, especially for offerings on cross-sectional topics and competencies in the areas of sustainability, digital transformation, didactics, ethics and entrepreneurship.
STS in general
STS-website for the lecture «Sustainability now!» 2024

Contact within the Sustainability Team

Jeannette Behringer
behringer(at)sustainability.uzh.ch
Tel. +41 44 635 43 57

All lectures of the lecture series in 2021 and 2022 have been recorded and are available as podcasts:

Education for sustainable development

"The Role of Peace Education for a Safe Environmental Space" with Alyn Ware (Laureate 2009, advisor to the Presidency of the International Association of Lawyers Against Nuclear Arms) (spring semester 2022)

"Responsible Science: Transformation for the Future" with David Suzuki (2009 laureate, environmental activist, and emeritus professor of genetics) (spring semester 2022)

Food

"So ernähren wir die Welt" with Hans Rudolf Herren (Laureate 2013, insect researcher, agricultural and development researcher) (spring semester 2021)

Human rights

"Changing the World Using the Law" with Colin Gonsalves (Laureate 2017, human rights activist) (spring semester 2021)

"I Am from a Developing Country, I am a lawyer and I am blind – I Have a Disability and 99 Opportunities" with Yetnebersh Nigussie (Laureate 2017, lawyer and human rights activist) (spring semester 2021) 

"The Powerful Voice of the Untouchables" with Dr. Ruth Manorama (Laureate 2006, women's rights activist) (spring semester 2021)

"The Responsibility of Media in Fighting for Human Rights" with Amy Goodman (Laureate 2008, democracy and human rights activist) (spring semester 2021)

"Every Drop Counts – the Human Right to Clean Water" with Maude Barlow (Laureate 2005, publicist und activist) (spring semester 2021)

"No Pardon for Chemical Weapons" with Paul Walker (Laureate 2013, Chemical weapons expert and advocate for the abolition of chemical weapons) (spring semester 2021)

"Female Empowerment for a Just Society in Afghanistan" with Sima Samar (Laureate 2012, Minister of Women's Affairs of Afghanistan) (spring semester 2022)

"A Culture of Remembrance as a Prerequisite for Reconciliation" with Vesna Teršelič (Laureate 1998, peace activist, founder and coordinator of the Anti-War Campaign in Croatia) (spring semester 2022)

Environmental Protection

"Africa’s Way in the 21st Century" with Nnimmo Bassey (Laureate 2010,  poet and environmentalist) (spring semester 2021)

"Co-Creation: Successful Solution for Reforestation with the People, for the People" with Tony Rinaudo (Laureate 2018, agronomist) (spring semester 2022)

"Indigenous Peoples as Guardians of Biodiversity" with Linda Poppe of Survival International (1989 awardee organization, director of Berlin office) (spring semester 2022)