Sustainability Week 2022

This years’ Sustainability Week is packed again with inspirational sessions, discussions, debates and events focusing on creating a more sustainable future. From April 25 to April 29th, hosted by the Green Office for KU Leuven and the Sustainability Office.

Register for the events below!

Monday April 25th

From Farm to Fork Festival

The kick-off event of the sustainability week 2022. Together with SVS (studenten voor solidariteit) we organise the local Farm to Fork Festival. During this festival, you get to meet and greet with different sustainable initiatives in the neighborhood of Leuven. The focus of the festival will be the sustainable food chain (hence the name ‘Farm to Fork’ ;))

What? Information booths, games and prices to win
When? from 16h until 19h
Where? Pangaea (Andreas Vesaliusstraat 34, 3000 Leuven).

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Eco-anxiety? - Climate Talks by KlimaatContact

How to have honest, open and engaging conversations with others about climate change?
How do you and others feel when you are confronted with the possible consequences of climate change?
How do we contribute ourselves and how can we include others in a positive and accessible way?
How do you deal with statements such as: ‘The government has to solve it, we as individuals can’t do anything anyway’?

Together we will look for successful levers to promote sustainable behaviour, both in ourselves and in others during this FREE interactive session, given by KlimaatContact.

When? 18h – 20h
Where? Africa Room @Pangaea (Andreas Vesaliusstraat 34, 3000 Leuven)

Register here!

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**This inspirational session gives you a preview of the six-part workshop series that KlimaatContact offers. In this series you discuss what climate change means and the impact we, as humans, have. The workshops are based on involvement, your own individual values and the situation you are in at the moment.

Documentary 25% Revolution

As part of the Sustainability week you can watch together with us and SVS (studenten voor solidariteit) the 25% revolution documentary.

Due to high human impact, our world is rapidly changing into a more and more inhabitable, unpredictable and unequal place to live. Therefore, more and more voices are screaming for a system change. But, what does this “system change” mean in practice? Do we need to wait for politics to change the system? How can we focus less on growth, materials and profits and more on sustainability, health and equality?

The 25% revolution documentary tackles all of these questions and will show you how a different way of living is within reach. Afterwards, we’ll discuss some of the topics of this documentary with a panel of experts.

When? 20.30h
Where? Asia Room @Pangaea (Andreas Vesaliusstraat 34, 3000 Leuven)
Extra’s: Studenten Voor Solidariteit will provide some nice drinks and snacks at a fair price!

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Declutter your closet!

Spring is here again! The perfect moment for a thorough spring cleaning. Do you have any household goods and electronics lying around in your office, student flat or home that you no longer use, but which still deserve a second life? Bring these items to the entrance hall of the Erasmus House on Monday 25 April between 1 pm and 5 pm, and Ecoteam Letteren will make sure the items are put to good use. Good riddance!

If you already know which stuff you don’t need anymore, you can fill in this form: https://www.arts.kuleuven.be/formulieren/haal-alles-uit-de-kast-declutter-your-closet/

Tuesday April 26st

Green Jobs Fair

Green Office for KU Leuven creates a space within which students can get connected with businesses and organizations offering jobs and internships in different fields related to sustainability. The Green Jobs Fair offers companies hiring for internship and entry-level positions, and who are seeking highly motivated students looking to make a positive impact through sustainability-oriented work. A sneak peak of present companies include: Too Good To Go, NewB, ClimAct, and many more!

A special talk from the Student Career Center on the job-seeking process will be given, in addition to 20-minute CV screenings!

When? 15h – 18h
Where? Online, Hopin

*** You need to register at the following link to receive the invitation: https://hopin.com/events/green-jobs-fair ***

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Campus Clean up Kortrijk

Across 3 campuses, Leuven, Kortrijk and Antwerp, we organise clean-ups during the Sustainability Week together with Stura and LOKO. We will provide the proper equipment (grabbers, garbage bags, gloves, etc.), with help of our friends at River Cleanup and campus and cleaning services. After the clean-up, there are drinks to celebrate! Below you can find the information for campus Kortrijk. Please remember to register using the link (if necessary), though last-minute walk-ins are also welcome.

When? Tuesday 26/4: 12h-14h.
Where? We meet at E. Sabbelaan 53a – 8500 Kortrijk.
Registere here

Climate change (hi)stories

Do you want to learn more about the Reshape-Erasmus project and what the results are of the large survey about the future of the Erasmus site? Would you like to learn more about the different sustainable projects that students and researchers from the faculty of Arts are currently working on? Then take part in the faculty sustainable evening “Climate change histories” on the 26th of April.

Wednesday April 27th

Pop Up Giveaway Fair

In need of something for your kitchen? Looking for something new to decorate your home? Stop by the Giveaway pop-up store of the University Parish (Tiensestraat 124, University Parish building)! You can choose whatever you like and take it home with you for free to give it a second life.

Everything takes place in an atmosphere of conviviality, warmth and solidarity.
And you can also enjoy free tea and coffee!

For more information, please visit the website

Campus Clean up Antwerp

Across 3 campuses, Leuven, Kortrijk and Antwerp, we organise clean-ups during the Sustainability Week together with Stura and LOKO. We will provide the proper equipment (grabbers, garbage bags, gloves, etc.), with help of our friends at River Cleanup and campus and cleaning services. After the clean-up, there are drinks to celebrate! Below you can find the information for campus Antwerp. Please remember to register using the link (if necessary), though last-minute walk-ins are also welcome.

When? Wednesday 27/4: 12h-14h.
Where? We meet at the garden of Campus Carolus.
No registration needed!

Brown Bag Lunch - 'sustainable entrepreneurship & B Corp for dummies'

Get inspired how to get started with entrepreneurship in a sustainable way and find out what it takes to get a B Corp certficate! Organized by KU Leuven KICK!

When? 13h
Where? Studio Start (Naamsestraat 11)

Fore more information and registration, please visit the website

Fair Fashion Fest

Did you know that Belgians are European leaders when it comes to throwing away clothes? Interested in learning more about the environmental impact of fashion, crocheting and swapping your old clothes for new styles?
WHAT Green Office is organising all-round fair fashion event with a clothing swap surrounded by workshops and talks about fashion impact on people and planet.

When? 17 – 20h
Where? Green Office (Zwartzusterklooster, Zwartzustersstraat 2)

CLOTHING SWAP
After the Easter break is over you’ll find our bins in Agora and Pangaea where you drop off your old clothes. On April 27th you’ll be able to pick something new at our swap! You’re also welcome to bring few pieces to the event and exchange them on the spot.

WORKSHOPS

WORKSHOPS
5-6:30PM Crocheting for beginners (flexible entry – you can start a project at any time during those hours as long as there’s a free pair of hooks on the table)
6-8PM Clothes repair: Learn basic mending techniques like darning and simple stitches

TALKS

Enjoy a piece of cake and have a chat with our wonderful speakers!

17.30h – Fashion Revolution Belgium on social and environmental impacts of fashion industry + what can you do?
19h – Studio Minapop: starting a slow fashion business after university

See you there!

Thursday April 28th

Visit the Tap it Up! booth

Check out the Tap It Up campaign of Green Office! We promote the use of tap water in the KU Leuven community through the installation of water fountains and pop up booths to raise awareness about tap water and a lot more.

Visit the Green Office Tap it up! booth at Alma 3, Arenberg, have a chat with our Green Office student-ambassadors and get yourself informed, play some games and, who knows, maybe win yourself a cool reusable bottle from eco-friendly manufacturers.

When? 11.30h – 14h
Where? Alma 3, Arenberg

Campus Clean up Leuven

Across 3 campuses, Leuven, Kortrijk and Antwerp, we organise clean-ups during the Sustainability Week together with Stura and LOKO. We will provide the proper equipment (grabbers, garbage bags, gloves, etc.), with help of our friends at River Cleanup and campus and cleaning services. After the clean-up, there are drinks to celebrate! Below you can find the information for campus Leuven. Please remember to register using the link (if necessary), though last-minute walk-ins are also welcome.

When? Thursday 28/4: 16h-18h.
Where? We meet at the city parc (Saint Donatusparc).
Register here

Nothing to waste? - debate

KU Leuven Green Office & CATAPA present…
(How) Will we move towards a circular economy? What about your ‘Right to Repair’? And does ‘planned obsolescence’ affect your consumption behaviour?

Join the debate with speakers from HERW!N, Leuven Circulair, Maakleerplek, CATAPA & KU Leuven
The debate will take place in English

When? 19h
Where? Aula Wolfspoort

Please register to attend (for free) here.

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New spring, new plant?

Spring is in the air and the plants start to grow. Does your plant provide more cuttings than you can count? Or does your house need more green? During our second edition of the plant exchange on Thursday the 28th of April between 12 and 15h in the Erasmusgarden, you can bring or/and get, one or more cuttings and plants.

To make an estimation it would be nice to fill out this form (https://www.arts.kuleuven.be/duurzaamheid/formulieren/plant-exchange-fair-2022). Registrations are open untill the 26th of April. Also without registration, you are more than welcome.