Mentored by international experts since August 18, students in the Festival University program have been exploring approaches that could help us overcome our current crises and make our planet habitable for future generations. As the Festival University program slowly draws to a close, they will now provide insight into three eventful weeks of the program and talk about their ideas and visions that could serve to inspire the growth of our global community.

Since August 18 and to September 14, Linz has been hosting the second annual international Festival University program, a joint summer university program organized by the JKU and Ars Electronica. Out of 800 applications, 200 students were selected to represent a total of approximately 70 countries from all corners of the globe and take part in this special program. Their backgrounds are diverse, ranging from cultural studies, social sciences, and law to engineering and medicine. The program’s cultural and interdisciplinary diversity makes the Festival University a prototype for a "university of the 21st century", serving as an inspiration as to how we – as a global community - can respond to global crises.

JKU Rector Meinhard Lukas remarked: "During a decade of crises and bleak future prospects, the JKU and Ars Electronica serve as an example as to how we can get to a turning point: The joint Festival University taps into the potential of science and art, encouraging participants to transcend disciplinary and cultural boundaries. Through dialogue and cooperation, 200 young people from around over the world will outline and share their ideas as to how society can become a kind of 'Planet B'. In doing so, a global generation of young people are providing inspiration, driving us toward a positive future. As a university, we can learn a great deal. The second annual Festival University program has become an impressive success story. The JKU and Ars Electronica's trailblazing spirit has created a foundation on which our university will benefit now and in the long run. The positive reception, however, not only confirms the program’s success, it is also a commitment: In order to facilitate progress in the future, we need to continue bringing art and science together, along with the optimism generated by young people from around the world."

"In order to be viable and sustainable, we need many more programs and platforms similar to the Festival University," noted Gerfried Stocker, Artistic Director of Ars Electronica, and by that, he does not mean that in just a few weeks we will be able to develop a panacea to all of our problems. "We need 'Festival University programs' in order to find the basis to facilitate discussions and allow us to reach a consensus. And not just that which we've lost because of the pandemic, but especially as a result of the total economization and privatization of the Internet. In mid-August, 200 young people from 70 countries descended upon Linz. They’ve gotten to know each other, they’ve exchange ideas with artists, researchers, entrepreneurs, and activists in regard to matters pertaining to our future. They will return home in mid-September as different people; individuals who be a start and make a difference."

Martin Polaschek, Austrian Minister of Education, Science and Research, is also very impressed: "The Festival University has been a resounding success! 200 students from around the world came to Linz, put their heads together, and thought about just how we can tackle the current crises and pass on our planet to future generations. We have a young, international generation here that is actively addressing our planet’s current challenges. The creative ideas and visions that have come about as a result of their efforts are impressive. I would like to congratulate the students on their impressive findings, along with the Johannes Kepler University Linz and Rector Meinhard Lukas for this successful Festival University program."

Governor Thomas Stelzer added: "The international Festival University program has demonstrated that here in Upper Austria, we practice innovation and shape the future. This is where young, talented individuals from around the world have been working on ideas to help us create our living space and ensure that we can successfully co-exist in the best possible way. By bring art and science together, the 200 young students have created innovative concepts aimed at a better world."

Insight into a Program Designed to Build Bridges
The theme for this year’s Festival University program was an extension of the theme for this year's Ars Electronica Festival: "Welcome to Planet B! A Different Life is Possible. But How?". The program was a mix of presentations by keynote speakers, workshops, and excursions in and around Linz. Mentored by international faculty members that include artists, scholars, scientists, politicians, business experts along with experts in media and civil society, the students and experts focused on the crises of our time, such as climate change and the resulting impact. They acquired insight into various topics and subject areas and were inspired to come up with ideas as to how we – as a global community - can respond to these challenges. After over three eventful weeks, some of the program participants spoke about their experiences thus far as well as their thoughts and hopes for our "Planet B":

Sophia, 24, is from the Philippines. She studied industrial engineering and is currently a process analyst at the University of Asia and the Pacific. She was particularly impressed by the program’s diversity and the participants as well as the many interactive program points: "The 'Robotics & Origami' workshop showed me how much we can benefit from bringing the practicality of technology together with the beauty of art."

Lasse, 23, is from Germany and is studying mechanical engineering at the TU Berlin. He manages a project workshop at his university that is held by students for students. His course of 20 students majoring in 16 different subject areas. Together, they built a hydroponic system, opens an external URL in a new window to grow lettuce and herbs using a method that involves growing plants in water rather than in soil. This project has already given Lasse first-hand experience as to just how valuable interdisciplinarity is and serves as one of the main reasons for applying to be a part of the Festival University program: "The Festival University delivers a wide range of insight and inspiration, which is unique. I've had a lot of space here to push beyond my own boundaries and limitations." He is certain that this is exactly what we will need to shape our "Planet B": "In the past, we often pursued a very one-track approach, and the only way to break that up is by working together and thinking in interdisciplinary terms. The Festival University is showing us just how this could work."

Komal, 25, is from India, and recently completed her studies in Exhibition and Spatial Design. She sees the Festival University as a unique opportunity: "I think one should take advantage of any opportunity to learn and I have learned a great deal here, even from those younger than me or those who have completely different backgrounds. This change of perspective has been enormously enriching."

Ashraf, 24, is from Lebanon and studies computer engineering at the American University in Beirut. He is also a game developer and runs a wildlife sanctuary (Animal Encounter), opens an external URL in a new window with his family. Ashraf was particularly excited about the international faculty: "During the Festival University program, I had opportunities to work and interact with many experts in various fields. Knowing that there are so many people dedicating their knowledge and expertise to climate change and our planet every day gives me confidence for the future." He added, "The Festival University program has made Linz the center of something completely new. I have so many great memories and I'll be back for sure!"

The Climate in Court
One of the program’s many highlights includes an international mock environmental court that will be held during the Ars Electronica Festival. Students will simulate an international court aimed at protecting the environment ("The International Environmental and Climate Court"), conducting negotiations based on exemplary matters as part of three main topic areas (water, energy, and migration). During the mock proceedings, real-world political issues, such as overexploiting raw materials, EU tax regulation, and climate flight will be addressed. The mock court aims to illustrate the complexity and multi-layered nature of climate change as a global problem and show just how important dialogue and compromise are when it comes to finding solutions. The focus is not so much on the legal aspects, but rather on the participants adopting different perspectives as part of a dialectic process and conducting sound research on problems, as well as arguing their positions in a substantiated (scientific) manner. Students found this change of perspective both challenging and enriching.

Visitors are welcome to experience the "International Environmental and Climate Court" live at the JKU. The topic of “Migration” will be addressed on Saturday, September 10 and the topic of “Water” on Sunday, September 11, both beginning at 10:30 AM at the Festival University stage. The event will also be streamed live, opens an external URL in a new window online. In the event of bad weather, the mock court will take place in Science Park 5, Rm. 101.

The 2022 Festival University – Facts & Figures

• Duration: August 18 to September 14 (four weeks)
• Location: In and around Linz
• Participants:

200 students between the ages of 16 and 25 from approximately 70 countries (such as Brazil, Costa Rica, USA, Canada, Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Taiwan, Nigeria, Australia). They therefore represent six out of the seven continents. Their professional backgrounds are diverse, ranging from cultural studies, social sciences and law to engineering, and natural sciences.

29 of the 200 participants took part in last year’s Festival University program.

Over 800 school and university students applied for the 200 spots in the program.

• Program Language: English
• Program: Full-time
• Academic credit: The participants will receive a Festival University certificate worth 6 ECTS credits.
• Fees: All of the participants’ costs for travel (economy), accommodations, and on-site meals were covered.

Program Points:

o In keeping with this year's Ars Electronica Festival theme, the Festival University’s theme was also "Welcome to Planet B! A Different Life is Possible. But How?", focusing on climate change and its ramifications.

o The program featured workshops, panel discussions, as well as presentations by and with international experts, artists, scholars, scientists, and managers. The program points provided new information, understanding, stimulated reflection, and encouraged participants to transcend disciplinary boundaries.

o As part of the Ars Electronica Festival, the international mock environmental court is open to the public on September 9, 10, and 11 (beginning each day at 10:30 AM) at the Festival University stage in front of the Main Campus Library/Learning Center at the JKU (in the event of bad weather, at Science Park 5, Rm. 101. Livestream from the Festival University stage: Ars Electronica Channel – LIVE – Welcome to Planet B, opens an external URL in a new window

o The program included excursions in and around Linz (such as to the Gusen Memorial).

Funding: The Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science & Research generously provided funding in the amount of € 1.6 million to support the Festival University program.

See: https://www.jku.at/en/festival-university/ to learn more.