International spring school on the Environment and Sustainable Development brings together students and experts in Ljubljana
UL Faculty of Education Archive
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The international spring school entitled Environment and Sustainable Development took place at the UL Faculty of Education between 20 and 24 April 2026 as part of the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP). The event was organised by the UNESCO Chair on Teacher Education for Sustainable Development in cooperation with the University of Klagenfurt, Private University College of Teacher Education Augustinum in Graz, and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
The spring school hosted 39 students from Greece, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Austria and Latvia, who deepened their understanding of contemporary environmental challenges and sustainable development through an intensive interdisciplinary programme. The programme, worth 5 ECTS credits, combined online and in-person forms of learning and included lectures, workshops, group work and field activities.
Over the course of five days, participants took part in a wide range of activities covering diverse topics. The programme included workshops on encouraging behavioural change for sustainable development, lectures on the whole-institution approach to sustainability, planetary nutrition, and the study of soil and its biodiversity. Participants also explored Ljubljana and its cultural and natural landmarks, while one of the highlights of the programme was a full-day excursion to the Slovenian coast. They visited Koper and the Škocjanski zatok Nature Reserve, where they learned about the importance of wetlands and the efforts dedicated to their preservation. On the way back, they also visited the Church of the Holy Trinity in Hrastovlje and reflected on the interconnection between cultural heritage and environmental change.
An important part of the programme was dedicated to presenting examples of good practice and innovative approaches in education for sustainable development, including international projects, the One Health concept, and the integration of biodiversity and climate-related topics into teaching. On the final day, participants presented their seminar papers, linking theoretical concepts with possibilities for practical application in education.
The spring school concluded with a reflection on the knowledge gained, an exchange of experiences, and the presentation of certificates and VITR (Education for Sustainable Development) Ambassador titles.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all lecturers and workshop facilitators for their professional contribution and dedicated work, which greatly enriched the programme and provided participants with a valuable and inspiring learning experience.