Celebrating Five Years of EUniWell: Well-Being for our Futures

22/10/2025 to 23/10/2025

EUniWell University of Cologne EUniWell-Event

Join us in Cologne – or online – to celebrate five years of EUniWell with a hybrid conference and FestiWell day full of keynotes, panels, workshops, and interactive activities on 22-23 October.

 

A pink background with light blue waves. In the upper left corner is a logo of the University of Cologne and in the upper right corner is the logo of EUniWell. In the centre is the text: “Celebrating Five Years of EUniWell” in white letters.

EUniWell is celebrating its five-year anniversary with a two-day programme at the University of Cologne on 22-23 October 2025. Please find the full programme here and the participation information below.

Join the livestream here from 9:30-17:30 CEST: 

https://uni-koeln.zoom.us/j/98621957533?pwd=9hLAiSYW7MsHZj4JnYFPSrMTJJhW5d.1 

The Celebration conference on 22 October brings together academics, students, policymakers, and stakeholders from across Europe to explore how higher education and research can shape just, inclusive, and sustainable futures. A highlight is the keynote by Dr Lara Aknin (Simon Fraser University, World Happiness Report), who will explore how well-being can be achieved together rather than at the expense of others. In discussions and workshops throughout the day, academics will join university and policy leaders such as Susanne Conze, Head of Unit for Higher Education at the European Commission. Together, they will map why – and how – well-being matters on individual, societal, and environmental levels.

In addition to the more than 150 international participants expected on-site at the University of Cologne, the full conference day will be livestreamed for international participants.

On 23 October, FestiWell continues the celebration with an interactive ‘Base Camp’ networking and information hub, 13 hands-on workshops, and an open lecture by Dr Laurie Santos (Yale University), offered in hybrid format. The workshops, led by renowned academics from across the EUniWell community, dive deeper into issues of health, well-being, diversity, and civic engagement to spark dialogue, reflection, and action both on and off campus. From open science and multilingual research to creative practices, therapeutic spaces, and support for student resilience, this diverse programme invites participants to explore how collaboration and research can foster inclusion and flourishing within and beyond the Alliance.

Those based in Cologne can sign up for the wide range of lectures, discussions, and workshops or just drop by FestiWell Base Camp and our Role model night: Well-being edition.

Join the livestream of Dr. Laurie Santos' closing keynote here from 16:00-17:00 CEST: https://uni-koeln.zoom.us/j/96078168158?pwd=QbHsNsHwIZHuSBbKWHbb66tQbH4kFe.1 

Both days are designed to connect researchers, students, and staff across disciplines and borders, with well-being as the guiding theme. Be part of our celebration and join us online or on-site!

“Celebrating Five Years of EUniWell: Well-Being for our Futures” will be preceded by the Closed Session of the ninth EUniWell Rectors’ Assembly on 21 October, where leadership of the member universities and student representatives come together to address key issues in education and research, strengthen collaboration, and set strategic direction of the Alliance to work towards a unified European course for the future. Stay tuned for updates on the outcomes of the Rectors’ Assembly and the week’s events. Follow and join the conversation on our social media channels.

Programme

A detailed programme overview including the workshop details is available here. 

Wednesday, 22 October 2025 | Celebration conference

09:30-11:00 CEST: Opening ceremony and keynote by Dr Lara Aknin: “Happiness (research) is not zero sum”

11:30-12:30 CEST: Inaugural panel discussion and impulse speech: “Why well-being matters – in research, education, and innovation”

14:30-16:00 CEST: Celebration workshops: Gathering of the community

16:30-17:30 CEST: Closing session: “Co-creating tomorrow – from well-being foundations to forward vision”


Thursday, 23 October 2025 | Celebration continued: FestiWell

09:00-17:30 CEST: FestiWell Base Camp

11:00-12:30 CEST: Celebration workshops

14:00-15:30 CEST: Celebration workshops

16:00-17:00 CEST: Closing keynote by Dr Laurie Santos: “The science of happiness”

19:00-21:00 CEST: Role model night: Well-being edition 

How to join

The entire Celebration conference on 22 October will be streamed online for all to join. FestiWell on 23 October will take place on-site in Cologne, with the keynote at 16:00 CEST also being streamed. Please find the links for joining the livestreams here:

Those based in Cologne can sign up for the wide range of lectures, discussions, and workshops or just drop by FestiWell Base Camp. Register for the event and all workshops here.

Locations:

Celebration conference, 22 October 2025: Hörsaalgebäude, University of Cologne, Universitaetsstrasse 35, 50931 Cologne

FestiWell, 23 October 2025: Seminargebäude, University of Cologne Universitaetsstrasse 37, 50931 Cologne

Contact

For further questions, please reach out to the event planning team via event[at]euniwell.eu.

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