On 18–19 March 2026, the SustainERA team co-organised the international symposium “Universities as Change Agents in Sustainable Development” at Tallinn University. Organised in large part by Dr Katrin Männik (SustainERA) in collaboration with the Baltic University Programme, the event brought together 120 researchers and experts from 29 countries and 81 organisations.
The symposium was grounded in the understanding that the academic sector must move beyond siloed initiatives and theoretical discourse to become integrated, proactive, and measurable agents of change. It provided a platform to foster new partnerships and co-create actionable strategies that harness universities’ full potential to address pressing ecological, social, and economic challenges.
SustainERA panel discussion on “The Role of University Partnerships towards Sustainable Futures” (photo: Marten Puidak)
SustainERA was prominently represented throughout the programme. Key contributions included a panel discussion on “The Role of University Partnerships towards Sustainable Futures”, featuring Advisory Board members Kristi Klaas (Ministry of Climate) and Anna-Greta Tsahkna (Timbeter), Dr Katrin Männik (SustainERA) and Dr Veiko Karu (Estonian Business School). The programme also featured a plenary talk by Dr Siret Talve on mission-based approaches to achieving sustainable futures. SustainERA researchers further contributed to the scientific programme with three paper presentations by project members, addressing topics such as personal responsibility, innovative learning approaches, and the role of Estonian universities in sustainability transitions.
A key highlight of the symposium was the SustainERA World Café on “Universities as Change Agents through Sustainability Capacity-Building”, led by Prof Kai Pata. The session brought together participants from diverse backgrounds to exchange perspectives and co-develop ideas on strengthening the role of universities as drivers of sustainable transformation. Discussions highlighted the importance of embedding sustainability across curricula and institutional practices, as well as fostering collaborative and inclusive learning environments to support long-term change.
SustainERA World Café session on sustainability capacity-building (photo: Marten Puidak)
The symposium facilitated the exchange of practices and perspectives on strengthening the role of universities as agents of sustainable transformation. The insights and collaborations developed during the event will inform SustainERA’s ongoing work in advancing sustainability capacity-building and fostering institutional change in higher education.
Participants of the symposium “Universities as Change Agents in Sustainable Development” at Tallinn University (photo: Dušan Pajović)