Transition UGent

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Transitie UGent has been around for more than 10 years! For all these years, we have been meeting, enjoying the energy and sense of togetherness, and trying to push things forward. With policy preparation work, with action, with a memorandum, with a Raretijden newspaper, with proposals, with all our might, etc. Enjoy this report.

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Who are we?

Transition UGent is a think tank of committed staff and students, experts and policy makers, dreamers and doers who are all convinced that Ghent University can play an important role in the field of sustainable development. The think tank serves as an open innovation network, in which you can join us in keeping the enthusiasm high, bring new actions and suggestions to the table and stay closely involved in Ghent University's sustainability policy.

'Transition UGent' writes transition plans (climate plan UGent) and monitors the progress

Last year we discovered once again how valuable the Transition UGent network is. Commissioned by the Board of Governors, we are working on a climate plan. For all relevant policy plans, ambitions are set, boundaries defined, and actions formulated. The results are monitored yearly by the Board of Governors and actions are adjusted where necessary. We work aruond CO2-reduction, climate adaptation, biodiversity and circularity. An incredible task, but we could count on many of you: from your expertise, from your engagement, from your experience in the job. It strengthens the message, the credibility, the support.

Meeting of Transition UGent in November

Where?

Plateau building

When?

24 maart 2026, van 12u tot 14u30

What?

The delusion of the day reigns supreme. Yet we must not lose sight of the important socio-ecological challenges. Remaining stuck in old ways of thinking offers little perspective. That is why there is a need for new, shared narratives and alternative futures that help us not only to understand crises, but also to transcend them.

During our next meeting, we will focus on the power of imagination. Together, we will build the exhibition “The future is here”. This exhibition brings together images that show inspiring, sustainable initiatives at Ghent University, as well as other glimpses of the future we desire. These are small or large steps that contribute to better education in turbulent times, strong research for a sustainable society, attractive campuses in a liveable city and an engaged community. We will look for the right conditions and tipping points to grow and accelerate these steps and thus create real impact.

We already have photos that reorient our imagination, but we are also counting on you to help shape the exhibition. Bring a powerful image or send a photo to duurzaam@ugent.be.
Programme?
- 12:00: Lunch by Compaan
- 12:30-13:00: Introduction by Lenja Doms, on impact and moving forward together
- 13:00-13:20: Introduction to the exhibition “The future is here”
- 13:30-14:30: Join us at the theme tables:
- 7 p.m.-9 p.m.: Theatre play AHA, a project conceived by theatre maker Martha Balthazar and Leon Adriaensen, physicist and climate scientist at Ghent University. The duo attempts to bring art and science into dialogue with each other and won the Caroline Pauwels Grant. The play is about the role of the scientist and the dialogue between science and society. It is a conversation between lovers, a thought experiment that gets out of hand and a search for the place of scientific knowledge in our lives. (NL)

Register

Be sure to register! That way we'll know how much lunch to order.

Would you like to join us in the cockpit?

Would you like to brainstorm about future Transitie UGent meetings? Let us know via duurzaam@ugent.be. Transitie UGent wants to remain a dynamic and innovative concept, and new blood is always welcome! It involves about four meetings per year.