Global University Leaders Council Hamburg

Group picture at GUC Hamburg 2019 (c) Claudia Höhne

The Global University Leaders Council Hamburg brings together presidents of leading universities from all over the world in Hamburg with the goal of consciously and collectively shaping the process of global university development. The Council is a joint initiative of the German Rectors' Conference, Körber-Stiftung and the University of Hamburg.

The process of globalisation has led to a situation in which higher education systems worldwide are facing a number of similar challenges. These range from threats to university autonomy and academic freedom, to conflicting theories of the university and education, and from questions of access to higher education to the financing of university teaching and research.

The Global University Leaders Council Hamburg provides a forum for discussions on the core roles and values of universities in a globalised higher education landscape.

GUC Hamburg 2021: Universities facing Climate Change and Sustainability

The theme of GUC 2021, which was held virtually, was the contribution of universities to tackling climate change and making society more sustainable. In the final declaration, the university leaders committed their institutions to taking a holistic approach to climate protection and sustainability. They stressed the importance of global solidarity and of strengthening opportunities for joint action by the institutions. Furthermore, all students should be educated about the challenges of climate change and sustainability issues in their studies. These goals were agreed upon by 45 university leaders from 27 countries.

“Owing to their central position in the public discourse, universities are essential to successfully addressing global climate change and are key to finding solutions.”

Tatjana König

Member of the Executive Board, Körber-Stiftung

study

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summary (German)

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Hamburg Declaration 2021

Joint statement by all participants of 2021

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Media

Tristan McCowan: “Universities facing Climate Change and Sustainability”

Together with colleagues, Tristan McCowan has examined the activities against climate change of fourteen universities in seven countries and gives specific recommendations for university administrators and stakeholders. Listen to the podcast:

podcast

Esther Duflo: “Good Economics for Warmer Times”

Nobel laureate Esther Duflo gave a lecture titled “Good Economics for Warmer Times,” in which she outlined opportunities for tackling climate change and its consequences. Watch the lecture:

video