Leading Change in a Changing Climate
CIEE is excited to announce that we will gather in Rome, Italy, November 6-8, 2024, to bring together thought leaders, educators, and students passionate about the intersection of global education and climate change.
We will explore innovative approaches and programming within study abroad that emphasize environmental consciousness and social responsibility.
Join us in Rome, where engaging discussions, insightful workshops, and networking opportunities await. Discover how we can collectively contribute to a more sustainable and globally-minded future.
Pre-conference Workshop
Leading Change: Elevating International Education Programs for Achieving Institutional Goals
Join CIEE, along with academic leadership from our Leading Change in Study Abroad Pledge for an impactful workshop for international educators. The session will equip senior academic leaders with concrete strategies and insights to develop, enhance, and sustain international programs that can significantly impact key institutional metrics such as enrollment, retention, graduation rates, employability, and economic mobility can significantly impact key institutional metrics such as enrollment, retention, graduation rates, employability, and economic mobility.
Global Sustainability Challenge
CIEE is seeking advice from experts in climate, the environment, and sustainability to develop a comprehensive global portfolio of college programs. These programs aim to engage learners in understanding the multifaceted challenges of climate change and determining the most suitable locations and content for these offerings.
Proposals should include scalable study abroad experiences, collaboratively designed by two different U.S. universities, that are tailored for college students to focus on climate change in various international contexts.
Three finalist teams will receive a trip to Rome, Italy, for the annual CIEE Study Abroad Conference to present their proposal in a “pitch event” on November 8.
The winning team will receive a $250,000 scholarship pool for their students to attend any one of CIEE’s existing or new global programs related to climate, the environment, and sustainability in 2025-2026.
The submission deadline is September 20, 2024 – more details are available in the Global Sustainability Challenge Call for Proposals.
Conference Sessions
The 77th annual CIEE Study Abroad Conference in Rome will include a rich set of curated sessions focusing on our theme of Leading Change in a Changing Climate. Sessions will include a combination of research and industry experts from our topic selections, along with colleagues in the higher and international education space. Areas of discussion include:
SCIENCE
- Sustainability for International Educators
- Global Architecture and Resilient Design
EDUCATION
- Service Learning, Student Research and Internships to Support Sustainable Development Goals
- Peace and Justice Education in a Changing Climate
COMMUNITY
- Local Partnerships for Sustainable Communities
- Spreading the Culture of Sustainability through Street Art in Italy
- Sustainable Travel and Tourism in a Post-Pandemic World
POLICY
- Ensuring Equity and Crafting Inclusive Policies in an Era of Climate Migration
- Food Security, Scarcity and Waste
ACTIVISM
- Water Equity on a Warming Planet
Meet CIEE Reception
Meet our CIEE Center Directors from around the world as they feature local sustainability initiatives, cultural experiences, and academic programs.
Conference Speakers
Mikaela Loach, acclaimed author, (It’s Not That Radical: Climate Action to Transform Our World), climate justice organizer, and speaker, recognized as one of the most influential women in the U.K. climate movement by Forbes, Global Citizen, and BBC Woman’s Hour will join the 77th annual CIEE Study Abroad Conference this year as a Plenary Speaker.
Mikaela has boldly challenged powerful entities, calling out billionaires at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s annual event, taking the UK government to court in the landmark “Paid To Pollute” case in 2021, and challenging Shell’s CEO and board at their AGM for their human rights abuses to people of the Niger Delta in Nigeria.
Her dedication to her values is evident in her collaborations with brands and organizations such as Armed Angels, LUSH, Greenpeace, and eBay.
More program details to come this summer! Looking forward to seeing our colleagues in Rome!
CIEE Study Abroad Conference - Paris 2023
2023 Paris
Leading Change in Study Abroad
2022 Seoul
75 Years of Pathways to Peace
2021 Online
Catalyst for Inclusion, Access, and Progress