The concept of sustainability recognises that the Earth's resources are finite and interconnected. It encourages responsible and balanced decision-making in social, economic and environment fields that considers the long-term consequences of actions. How can individuals, communities, actors and governments join in a sustainable future in the European democracies? Is sustainability a practice and policy discourse capable of solving the current socio-ecological crisis? Who is deciding on how to move every aspect of social life to a new development model? Which social problems are neglected, or downplayed, in our collective vision of a sustainable future? How do current democratic systems perform sustainability and which conditions can facilitate oppositions or resistances?

These questions bring forward the socio-political dimensions of sustainability. However, the multi-sectoral nature of these problems calls for interdisciplinary contributions and multiple research methods. The course expects students from as diverse backgrounds as political ecology, political sociology, political science, international relations, economics, anthropology, and contemporary history. Dialogue and hybridity are essential for fostering critical thinking and devising workable strategies for social change.

The physical mobility part will be running from 10 to 14 February 2025 in Lausanne.

During the physical component of the Winter School, in each day:

1. In the morning teachers will deliver a lecture of 45 minutes each giving an updated review of the research on sustainability issues from a specific disciplinary perspective (including political science, sociology, anthropology, history, philosophy).
2. In the afternoon students will deliver a fifteen-minute individual presentation of a draft of a master thesis or a chapter of a PhD thesis (minimum 5.000), followed by a collective discussion on how to improve their research strategies and methodologies, facilitated by two teachers.

During the first day, a keynote speech and inaugural event are also planned. 

The virtual component of the course will be running from 19 December 2024 to 4 February 2025. 

The virtual component will provide an introductory knowledge of the BIP topic, and will introduce the students to an innovative learning experience.

In the first part of the virtual component, coordinators will give students a general presentation of the Winter School, including practical information about teaching schedule, online readings, deliverables, mobility, accommodation, etc.

• After the general introductory meeting, teaching staff will deliver a set of online lessons on the key concepts and methodologies related to the Winter School topic. The attention will be done to the scientific disciplines involved and to the interdisciplinary dialogue among them.
• In the second part, students will be engaged in a Virtual World Café on the challenges of sustainability for European democracies. A Virtual World Café is an online participatory method aiming at establishing an informal and tolerant space of dialogue where multiple ideas and perspectives on a topic can be exchanged. Students will be engaged in several rounds of small-group in depth conversations, on different sustainability issues, guided by experts using online facilitation tools.
• At the end of the final round, the facilitators will summarize the results and discuss them with the students. Teachers will be invited to take part to the final discussion and to contribute to it.