The second day of the Virtual Exchange Week took place on 12 March, bringing together 191 online participants from around the world. The session was hosted by the University of Helsinki and featured an engaging guest lecture by Professor Cush Luwezi from Université de Kinshasa (UNIKIN), Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Professor Luwezi delivered a thought-provoking presentation titled “Foresight in Agriculture, Food and Energy: Planning and Managing Water in the Changing Global Environment.” In his talk, he addressed the growing challenge of clean water availability in Africa, highlighting how environmental change and policy decisions may affect water ecosystems and the water cycle across the continent. He also discussed the potential implications of solar radiation management and other climate interventions for African water systems.
After the plenary prsentation students engaged actively with the topic, reflecting on the importance of sustainable water management and international collaboration in addressing global environmental challenges in their small break-out rooms.
A recording of Professor Luwezi’s lecture, “Water Management in Africa,” is available on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aB-YRegOsk
Upcoming Virtual Exchange Sessions
Thursday, 19 March 2026 — Day 3
Host: University of Nairobi
Technical Host: Mikko Kulmala
14:45 – Hosts ready
15:00 – Welcome words – University of Nairobi
15:15 – Guest speech: Solomon Derese (introduced by the University of Nairobi)
16:00 – Instructions for group activity and breakout rooms – Julia Karhumaa & Mikko Kulmala
(Presented by Anouk in Julia’s absence)
16:05 – Sustainability Action Task in small groups
18:00 – End of Day 3
Tuesday, 24 March 2026 — Day 4
Host: University of Bologna
Technical Host: Mikko Kulmala
14:45 – Hosts ready
15:00 – Welcome words – University of Bologna
15:15 – Guest speech: Francesco Spampinato (introduced by the University of Bologna)
16:00 – Instructions for group activity and breakout rooms – Julia Karhumaa & Mikko Kulmala
(Presented by Anouk in Julia’s absence)
16:05 – Sustainability Action Task in small groups
18:00 – End of Day 4
Thursday, 26 March 2026 — Day 5 (Final Day)
Host: Laura Riuttanen
Technical Host: Mikko Kulmala
14:45 – Hosts ready
15:00 – Welcome words – Laura Riuttanen
15:05 – Guest speech: Tarja Halonen (introduced by Laura Riuttanen)
15:35 – Instructions for group activity and breakout rooms – Julia Karhumaa & Mikko Kulmala
(Presented by Anouk in Julia’s absence)
15:40 – Finalizing the Sustainability Action Miro boards in small groups
16:20 – Presentation of Sustainability Action Miro boards in the joint session
17:50 – Credits and closing remarks – Aleksi Vauhkonen
17:55 – Student and moderator final feedback forms – Julia Karhumaa
18:00 – End of the final day
The Virtual Exchange Week continues to provide an international platform for students, researchers, and experts to discuss sustainability challenges and collaborate on practical solutions.