European boot camp in St. Pölten: Creativity for nature!

European boot camp in St. Pölten: Creativity for nature!

The E³UDRes² Bootcamp, which took place in St. Pölten in early July, brought around 40 students and mentor: inside from nine European countries. At this event, which was organized by the St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences, the focus was on developing creative solutions for ecological challenges. The motto "Creative Roots - Designing Experiences Inspired by Nature" was characterized by interdisciplinary approaches, whereby the participants worked for five days in various teams to find answers to questions such as climate -friendly gardening and the preservation of biodiversity. All of these ideas were stimulated by impulses from the "Nature in the Garden" initiative and the Tulln garden, which play an important role in the integration of natural education and environmental protection.

The exciting projects developed as part of the boot camp are "bird’ n box ", a subscription box that is supposed to bring older people closer to bird protection, and a vertical planting shelf with automatic irrigation, including app control, which is specially intended for small balconies. Amira Babkir, a student from Portugal, emphasized the value of teamwork and dialogue, while LH deputy Stephan Pernkopf praised the innovation spirit in Lower Austria and Mayor Matthias Stadler emphasized the importance of networking and curiosity.

Education for sustainable development

In the context of the boot camp, it becomes clear how important education is for sustainable development (BNE), which is based on the model of sustainable development. The term was shaped in 1992 at the UN Conference for the Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro and aims to meet the needs of current generations without endangering the future. The 17 global sustainability goals (Sustainable Development Goals, SDGS), which were passed by the UN General Assembly in 2015, emphasize the central role of education in achieving a sustainable future.

The Conference of Ministers of Culture already adopted a recommendation for the BNC together with the German UNESCO Commission in 2007. In 2024, a separate recommendation for "Education for Sustainable Development in School" is expected. These initiatives are intended to ensure that all learners have access to inclusive and fair educational opportunities and that the integration of sustainable development into curricula is promoted. Particular attention is paid to the upper secondary level, for which the ESD guidelines are planned for 2025.

positive results of the boot camp

The E³UDRes² Bootcamp not only enriched the participants with inspiring ideas, but also promoted international friendships. The exchange of knowledge and experiences in a creative environment has raised awareness of the need for the need for sustainable innovations. During the program, social activities such as a science pub quiz, a barbecue evening and yoga sessions were added, which strengthened the sense of community among the participants and contributed to an overall positive experience.

A current report by the Conference of Ministers of Education offers an interim balance sheet to implement sustainable education initiatives in Germany and shows necessary progress. The publication "Education for Sustainable Development-Information of the States" also provides a comprehensive overview of the ESD activities in German schools and underlines the relevance of events such as the E³UDRes² Bootcamp for the promotion of sustainable development goals.