International DAAD model project CHANGES launched

The University of Kassel is launching a five-year, internationally networked project on teacher training for sustainable development: the DAAD model project CHANGES (Exploring Critical Sustainable Development Education from Global Perspectives) is being coordinated by the Center for Teacher Education (ZLB). CHANGES will take place from 2025 to 2029 and connects universities in Argentina, Indonesia, Canada, South Africa and Germany. It will kick off with a hybrid international conference in Kassel. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is funding the project with 600,000 euros.

Global network
"With CHANGES, we are focusing on co-creation across continents: teachers and students are jointly developing teaching-learning arrangements, research approaches and transfer paths that strengthen educational institutions worldwide," says Dr. Ellen Christoforatou, Managing Director of the ZLB and project manager of CHANGES. "The University of Kassel is pooling tried and tested structures - from study workshops and teaching-learning laboratories to interdisciplinary teaching and research formats and co-supervision of reflective practice projects - and opening them up to a global network." 
University President Prof. Dr. Ute Clement opens the conference and emphasizes: "CHANGES strengthens the internationalization of teacher training and the visibility of Kassel as a hub of a learning, global network. The ZLB is an effective engine that brings together expertise, partners and formats."

Why now? Education for transformation.
Climate crisis, social inequalities and digital upheavals require future teachers to have reflection, design and cooperation skills. CHANGES combines critical, global perspectives with practical formats (e.g. international online teaching, summer schools, mobility) and aims to gradually develop curricula at the participating universities.

Network and synergies on site
CHANGES is linked to profile-forming units on campus: the InterESD (Internationalization and Education for Sustainable Development) teacher training profile, the English-language Master's AGES (Agriculture, Ecology and Societas), the Witzenhausen Tropical Greenhouse and the Kassel Institute for Sustainability. This constellation creates synergies between teaching, research and social transfer.

Summary:

• International model project CHANGES started with a hybrid conference on September 22, 2025 at the University of Kassel
• Teachers and students jointly develop teaching-learning arrangements, research approaches and transfer paths.
• The aim is to strengthen educational institutions worldwide.
• Changes will take place until 2029 and is funded by the DAAD with 600,000 euros.

Contact: 
Dr. Ellen Christoforatou, Managing Director ZLB / Project Leader CHANGES
University of Kassel - Center for Teacher Education
E-mail: changes@uni-kassel.de 
Web: uni-kassel.de/.../changes