The oikos Winter School and the oikos Summer School are annual platforms that empower agents for change. These events bring together 20 to 30 highly motivated students from around the world in an interactive learning environment on sustainable economics and management. The Schools comprise lectures, discussions, networking activities and project development workshops on sustainability challenges. The events place a strong emphasis on institutional change and stakeholder dialogue.
The Winter and Summer Schools are open for all undergraduate and graduate students.
oikos Winter School
The oikos Winter School is traditionally hosted by oikos Witten in Germany in February or March. Every year, the Winter School participants tackle concrete sustainability topics, such as sustainable urban development, food security, or green economy. At the Winter School, students not only discuss sustainability challenges but also develop innovative ideas that can bring a positive change to their local communities. The School also fosters exchanges between oikos members and young people outside of oikos.
- Winter School 2019
The oikos Winter School 2019 explored a range of topics from Megacities and Smart Cities to new energy and transportation concepts to civic participation. Check out an interactive blog prepared by Janina Hoffmann, one of the participants of the winter school and oikos communications and marketing working group member, you can take a closer look at the topics covered by inspiring speakers and passionate participants.
Take a look at our video from the Winter School
- Winter School 2018
In 2018, the Winter School revolved around the topic of Sustainable Development Cooperation and explored main challenges and drawbacks in the field. The Winter School titled “Bottoms Up, Tops Down” took place in Witten, Germany from March 1 to 7, 2018.
Check out the oikos Winter School video diary.
Read oikos article about the Winter School 2018.
In Addition, check out what participants thought about the school here.
Pictures from the Winter School is available on our Flickr page.
- Winter School 2017
In 2017, the Winter School was titled “You call it Eco. We call it common sense. Sustainability in the fashion industry” and explored the role and impact of the apparel industry on sustainable development. About 30 participants and a dozen speakers from all walks of life spent the week amidst heated debates, discussing the current situation in the industry and possible solutions to its countless problems. Learn more here.
- Winter School 2016
The 11th oikos Winter School took place from the 22nd to 28th February 2016. Topic: How to feed the world Find the final report here.
- Winter School 2015
The 11th oikos Winter School took place from the 23rd to 27th February 2015 in Witten, Germany
- Winter School 2014
The 10th oikos Winter School was organized by students of the Witten/Herdecke University, Germany. In 2014, the Winter School students asked Green Economy or Post-Growth Society? – How can economics and businesses shift towards a more sustainable future and which way could be the most promising to do so?
oikos Summer School
The oikos Summer School is hosted by different oikos chapter every year. The local chapter decides on the topic of the summer school, however overarching theme remains the same – sustainability in education. Leading questions asked at the summer school has varied over the years. In 2018, for instance, we asked our participants how the ideal university looked like for them and tried to design one. While in 2016, we focused on individuals and tried to come up with answers to questions like what kind of leaders do we need to tackle global challenges?
- Summer School 2018
Summer School 2018 took place in Vienna, Austria under the title Edutopia Summer Academy.
- Summer School 2016
oikos Summer School 2016 was organized by oikos Tbilisi, Georgia. It took an in-depth look at the kind of management education we need for a better world. The participants tackled questions like
- What kind of leaders do we need to tackle these challenges?
- How should they be different from past leaders?
- How do we change education so that it produces leaders who do what’s best for the world?
Over the course of the Summer School, participants had an opportunity to explore their own leadership skills. They looked at how they wanted to develop themselves and how they wanted to make a difference in the world. Learn more here
- Summer School 2015
oikos Summer School 2015 took place in Mestia, Georgia. The main theme of the school was Social Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation. Learn more here
- Summer School 2014
oikos Summer School 2014 was organized by oikos Tbilisi on the topic of Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainability in Emerging Markets. Learn more here