Abstract:
The future seeks to achieve a life-centred, comprehensive and long-term sustainability. How can universities adapt to this? The technological shift has triggered several new megatrends. Technological innovations are reborn by retransforming ancient knowledge, because the ancient becomes the new! How can we navigate through the complex world of interconnected megatrends? To understand geopolitical and global economic processes we need to use a combination of interconnectedness, complexity and sustainability. In this new life-centred world, competitiveness must be accompanied by viability!

The blue zones of our planet indicate areas where the average age of people is over 100 years, and groups of people who are ageing healthily. These are the ‘hotspots’ of longevity. People living in the “”Blue Zones”” have in common that they live in harmony with nature, value leisure and relaxation, but also work hard, walk a lot, have a purpose in life, i.e. they know what they wake up to every morning.

Alongside the blue zones, which are hotspots of biodiversity are equally important as they are the most important areas of global sustainability.  Biodiversity is the inherent form of existence of living organisms and living nature. Biodiversity is the natural capital of our planet. Today, our planet is home to 36 areas that scientists and naturalists believe are home to the world’s greatest diversity of plants and animals. Together, these 36 biodiversity hotspots account for at least 50% of the world’s plant species and 42% of the world’s terrestrial vertebrates.

Learning objectives:
– Learn about global megatrends which influence the life and future of all Global Citizens
– Understand how the exponential development of technology can globally be paired with human factors, preserving the values of humanity and cultures – making teaching and learning more effective at the same time
– The exact place and good use of skills: gamification, storytelling, visualisation.

Target audience:
– Recruitment
– International affairs
– Public relations
– Communications and marketing
– Studies Committee
– Student Affairs and Support