oikos International and our Chapters have a long history of hosting international conferences, drawing students and experts globally with different backgrounds and addressing burning sustainability issues. Since the founding conference in St. Gallen in 1998, our community has been gathering annually at conferences, making it one of the most anticipated events in our calendar and a hot spot for active oikos Chapter Members and Alumni to come together to connect, learn and collaborate.

The International Chapter Conference (ICC) is hosted by a different chapter each year.  Local Chapter’s organizing teams, supported by the oikos International Team, are the ones who define and shape the conference. They decide what the conference will focus on, often sustainability topics and issues relevant to their city or country. By bringing in together local and international audience, these conferences serve to raise awareness for challenges and exchange experiences in dealing with them.

These conferences create space for learning through taking in diverse perspectives and personal experiences, and co-creating new ideas for transforming education and society. Chapter Members and Alumni have the opportunity to connect with each other, forming new friendships and kick-starting cross-chapter and cross-generational collaborations resulting in new projects, as well as personal and professional development.

Alongside learning and networking, ICC gives way to cultural exchange. The organizing oikos Chapters take the opportunity to present the best of their cities and cultures to their peers from abroad. Incorporating elements of tradition and highlighting what makes their local culture unique, makes the participants’ experiences memorable and fun, which combined with the oikos spirit and community energy, leaves a lasting impression. This in turn is what makes oikos Alumni regularly attend oikos Conferences, even many years after their graduation.