In the face of Europe’s pressing challenges, university engagement with civic society has become more crucial than ever. Alliances within the European University Initiative offer a unique opportunity for cross-sectoral interaction. The European University for Well-Being is one such European Universities Alliance involving the University of Konstanz. One of their innovative civic engagement formats is “Co-Creation in Teaching.”
The European University for Well-Being (EUniWell) aims to harness collective know-how to support the well-being of its members, communities, and Europe as a whole.It actively engages with the public in various ways, such as:
- Disseminating scientific knowledge to a broader audience.
- Hosting public events that promote dialogue and exchange.
- Building bridges between universities and local municipalities, collaboratively addressing community needs.
- Encouraging student involvement in the EUniWell School Ambassador Programme.
- Combining learning objectives with community service (International Service Learning).
Co-creation in teaching
Another highly successful EUniWell initiative is the “Co-Creation in Teaching Hub,” established at the University of Konstanz in November 2023. It brings together students, educators, and non-academic community partners to collectively develop project concepts or innovative solutions for real-world problems. All participants have an equal status in the creative process.
Co-creation offers mutual benefits: students learn critical thinking, cross-cultural communication, and creative collaboration; they may also have the chance to implement their concepts in follow-on projects. Educators can experiment with creative teaching processes and gain “real-life” insights from community partners. The non-academic partners equally benefit from new contacts with university members and the innovative solutions and insights academia can provide.
So far, the University of Konstanz has held two Co-Creation workshops in 2024: a training workshop that introduced educators to the concept of co-creation and methods for incorporating it into their teaching, and a Human Rights Workshop. In the latter, students, educators and Amnesty International representatives collaboratively developed project ideas for students to work with Amnesty International. One of these ideas will be implemented as a EUniWell International Service Learning project in 2025.
Co-Creation in Teaching serves as an example of how new formats for civic engagement can help create a generation of active, informed citizens.
Contact: Daniela Kromrey, European University Alliance coordinator
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In the picture: Participants of the 2024 Co-Creation Workshop on Human Rights.
Photocredit: © University of Konstanz / Ruth Eades
