In an inspiring convergence of young minds and global sustainability advocates, the UNESCO Chair on Experiential Learning for Sustainable Innovation and Development, in partnership with the Amrita School for Sustainable Futures (ASF) and AYUDH, actively participated in the 20th European Youth Forum: Voices for Tomorrow. The forum, organized by AYUDH Europe, took place from July 21st to 28th at MA Center in Odenwald, Germany, and brought together over 200 youth from across Europe. This event was co-sponsored by the Erasmus+ Program of the European Union.
Representing the UNESCO Chair at this significant gathering were:
- Mr. Renjith Mohan, Program Manager, Live-in-Labs®, UNESCO Chair on Experiential Learning for Sustainable Development and Innovation, Amrita School for Sustainable Futures, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.
- Mr. Krishna Nandanan, Program Coordinator, Live-in-Labs® Academic Programs, UNESCO Chair on Experiential Learning for Sustainable Development and Innovation, Amrita School for Sustainable Futures, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.
The UNESCO Chair, in collaboration with the Amrita School for Sustainable Futures (ASF) and AYUDH, participated in three key events at the Forum: AYUDHx, a Joint Certificate Program, and a Panel Discussion.
During the AYUDHx session, Mr. Renjith Mohan took the stage to speak about experiential learning through the Live-in-Labs®, program at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. His talk emphasized the journey of students as they transition through the phases of “Experience, Embrace, Engage, and Empower” while working closely with rural communities. He shared how this hands-on approach to learning not only enriches students’ academic experiences but also creates a meaningful impact in underprivileged areas.
Joint Certificate Program – Experiential Learning for a Sustainable Future
The UNESCO Chair and ASF conducted a workshop entitled Experiential Learning for a Sustainable Future at the MA Centre in Hoff Herenberg, Germany. Mr. Renjith Mohan and Mr. Krishna Nandanan led the program, which attracted participants from Switzerland, Germany, the UK, and France. The workshop covered all 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on practical applications through experiential learning. Youth participants received certificates for their involvement, acknowledging their commitment to sustainability.
Inter-generational Panel Discussion
An inter-generational panel discussion was organized, supported by the Erasmus+ program of the European Commission. The panel discussion featured prominent youth and experts, including Mr. Himanshu Gulati, Norwegian Member of Parliament; Ms. Fatou Jeng, Climate Change Youth Advisor to the UN Secretary General and Youth Representative for Early Warning System for All; Ms. Katharina Linne, Coordinator of the Master’s Programme on UNESCO Biosphere Reserves Management at Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development; and Dr. Violeta Bulc, former European Commissioner for Transport and Deputy Prime Minister of Slovenia.
Representing the UNESCO Chair and ASF, Mr. Krishna Nandanan contributed to discussions on the importance of holistic education, fostering a lifelong learning mindset, the relationship between knowing and unknowing in experiential learning, living life as a continuous learning opportunity, and accelerating youth learning and transformation to drive societal change.
Panel Discussion
During the panel, the experts discussed best practices and formulated policy recommendations to further promote experiential learning as a tool for fostering sustainable development. These recommendations will be synthesized into a policy statement, which will be disseminated to global stakeholders.
The 20th edition of the AYUDH European Youth Forum was a testament to the power of experiential learning in shaping the future. Through active participation, the UNESCO Chair on Experiential Learning and the Amrita School for Sustainable Futures continue to empower youth across the globe to become agents of sustainable change.
AYUDH, an international youth movement, empowers young people to contribute to building a peaceful and sustainable world. The annual forum has been a platform for over two decades, gathering youth from diverse backgrounds to address pressing global challenges such as environmental sustainability, social cohesion, and intercultural dialogue.
