A week that transformed theory into practical experience. Students from Italy, Spain, Finland, Estonia, the Netherlands participated in a five days Student week to discover how Sustainable Development Goals translate into real projects, everyday choices and possible lifestyles.
The Alfa-college in Groningen served as the base for this experience, welcoming the students with warmth and professionalism. The city itself proved to be a perfect case study: through a workshop organised in collaboration with the municipality, the students were able to get their hands on real issues, designing green areas, spaces for physical activity and innovative solutions to make urban spaces more sustainable and liveable. These were not mere theoretical exercises, but concrete proposals that showed how every citizen can actively contribute to the transformation of their local area. The students also discovered the concept of Positive Health, a vision that goes beyond the simple absence of disease, integrating physical, mental and social health into a single interconnected system.
The visit to the Alfa-college Textile Hub was also very interesting. This project demonstrates how the circular economy can be a driver of social innovation. It not only develops a local and fair textile supply chain, but also offers educational programmes for the community and creates job opportunities for people who struggle to enter the traditional market. It is a concrete example of how environmental, economic and social sustainability can be perfectly integrated.
Then the visit to Suikerterrein, a natural space dedicated to eco-sustainable projects, completed the picture: a true hub of green creativity where ideas take shape and are shared with the community.
The excursion to Schiermonnikoog, a UNESCO World Heritage Site measuring just 8 km by 13 km, is a living example of how to live in harmony with nature. Over 70% of the territory is a protected nature reserve, the island is almost completely car-free and mainly uses bicycles for transport, and is home to seals, migratory birds and unique ecosystems.
After being welcomed at the Town Hall and learning about the island’s characteristics, the students were faced with a real challenge: finding innovative solutions to reduce water waste in this delicate ecosystem. This exercise required creativity, technical knowledge and environmental awareness. In the afternoon, cycling through dunes and pristine beaches, they experienced first-hand what it means to live in a place where sustainability is not just a slogan, but a concrete daily choice. t was not only the visits and workshops, but above all the international and collaborative dimension of the experience that added value. Working in mixed groups, the students shared different perspectives, learned to listen to each other, and found common solutions based on their different cultural backgrounds. The convivial dinners, such as the typical Dutch one based on Pannenkoeken, became precious moments to consolidate friendships and continue discussing sustainability in an informal way.
The last day, dedicated to final presentations, crowned this journey. Each group illustrated the solutions developed during the week, sharing reflections and learnings. The awarding of certificates marked not only the end of the experience, but the beginning of a new awareness: that of being able to be active protagonists of change towards a more sustainable future.
Check the video resume here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyca1DX3Eks&list=PLq29FXIZoeZZWN8suTQd9OtiCVa1qZkar
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Author: Beatrice Dusi, Communication Office, ENAC (Ente Nazionale Canossiano)
