From May 19 to 23, 2025, students from Riga Technical University (RTU), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), and Lodz University of Technology (TUL) came together in Riga for a unique Summer School experience. The event focused on sustainability, emotional intelligence, and social responsibility, equipping young people with the tools and mindset needed to drive meaningful change in their communities. Students immersed themselves in a week full of expert-led lectures, hands-on workshops, and team projects.
City Game & Practical Exploration
One of the most engaging moments of the week was the city game, where students worked in diverse teams to tackle real-life-inspired challenges. They had the opportunity to test the game developed by the project consortium, a learning tool supporting the understanding of the SDGs by shaping emotional intelligence (EQ).
The methodology behind the game fosters collaboration, critical thinking, and empathy, key skills for creating meaningful change. Beyond simply conveying information, the game aims to motivate action, empowering players to spread the idea of sustainable development and act step by step toward systemic change, in line with the principle of “think globally, act locally.”
Debate Tournament: Learning by Challenging Ideas
One of the core highlights of the week was the Debate Tournament, where students were divided into groups and asked to discuss real-world sustainability challenges. They applied their critical thinking skills and the theoretical knowledge gained throughout the week to argue for or against a specific issue concerning social justice, gender equality and animal rights.
Groups were evaluated not only on their ability to build compelling arguments, but also on how they interacted with opposing teams, presented their reasoning, and integrated concepts learned from expert sessions. The debates encouraged collaboration, strategic thinking, and respectful dialogue, skills that are essential for tackling complex global challenges.
Agents of Change
The most engaged and inspiring participants were honoured with a special recognition: the title of Agents of Change. This title celebrates students who not only demonstrated exceptional commitment, creativity, and leadership in advancing the values of the SDGs, but also inspired and motivated their peers throughout the program. Whether by sharing innovative ideas, fostering a collaborative spirit, or making impactful contributions to group work and discussions, these individuals stood out as true changemakers who led by example and encouraged others to get involved.
Beyond the Curriculum - Collaboration, Empathy, and Action
While sustainability was the overarching theme, what truly stood out to the participants was the emphasis on teamwork, communication, and cross-cultural understanding. For many students, the most valuable takeaway was the sense of community and intercultural exchange that the Summer School fostered. What the students took away from the experience is best captured in their own words:
We were integrating more because of mutual tasks. Teamwork aspect was great.
I learnt that empathy and communication are crucial to find solutions, and that critical thinking combined with emotional intelligence is the best way to deal with all situations.
Communication and discussion are key to building a better future, because everyone has a different perspective on what that future should look like.
Cooperating with all countries, bonding with people from all over the world, and creating intersectional and intercultural communities is the key.
As the participants return home inspired and full of ideas, we are excited to see the impact they will create.
