Open Conversation: How Can We Act Sustainably in Everyday Life?

Résumé de la formation

In response to the climate crisis, public–citizen collaboration has in recent years become a key policy instrument in cities across the world, intended to bring local needs and knowledge directly into public decision-making. Although its democratic potential is well documented in both practice and research, less attention has been paid to how such policy innovation unfolds beyond the process and becomes – or fails to become – concrete action on the ground.

Drawing on Vienna’s participatory budgeting, this talk discusses multiple intersecting challenges that come up when collaboration moves from deliberation into implementation. It will also address strategies for researchers to study and practitioners to navigate that space.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the event, participants will be able to reflect on strategies and conditions for effective public–citizen collaboration, drawing on insights from research and practice to understand how local knowledge, civic engagement, and institutional capacities can contribute to more equitable urban climate action.

Programme

Speakers

Keynote:

• Byeongsun Ahn, Challenge of Urban Futures, Department of Sociology, University of Vienna

Panel:

• Philipp Rhein (Volunteer Coordinator Berlin-Neukölln)
• Ragnhild Soerensen (Berlin-based non-profit Changing Cities)
• Michael Unger (Berlin-based non-profit platform Kiezattacke)
• Dusty Bock (German food bank Tafel Deutschland)

Moderator:

• Julika Stern (student at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)

Formateurs et formatrices

This Open Coversation is organised by a project group of the student-led Studium Oecologicum at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.

Informations pratiques

Date

22 Oct. 2026, 16:15 – 17:30 CEST (Europe/Brussels)

How to apply

This Open Conversation is organised by the Circle U Alliance.

To obtain the livestream link, you need to register on the Circle U website
Apply on AMETHIS to get your hours added to your portfolio.