March 2021 saw the second iteration of the very popular U21 Global Citizenship Programme, delivered by Universitas 21 in partnership with Common Purpose. The programme, designed to enhance virtual student mobility, supports participants in cross border connections, exchange and learning.
The demand for this year’s course was exceptional, with the original 2,000 places not enough to meet the number of applications. U21 agreed to fund a further 1000 places on the programme, and so 2,763 students were offered a place, with 82% of students completing the course.
Throughout the course, students were given the opportunity to develop ideas together to tackle some of the world’s most pressing problems, as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Learning across time zones, participants were guided to reflect on their cultural competency throughout the course and reflect on how they as individuals and as groups can turn their learning into valuable global action.
In recognition of the leadership, innovation and self-reflection demonstrated by completing the course, participants have earned a U21/Common Purpose micro-credential and gained access to the prestigious Common Purpose alumni community, including access to online events and networking groups with fellow students and industry leaders.
Siyuan (Peter) Chai, 4th Year Economics Major at Waseda University, commented; “Students from 27 universities all around the world were able to share diverse ideas and viewpoints, based on their personal experiences and areas of research and expertise, and from multi-cultural perspectives with one another. Especially, this online program provided me with a rare chance to make friends with other changemakers that come from prominent European universities beyond geographical boundaries, such as KU Leuven in Belgium, which is normally only possible through physically traveling to Europe as an exchange student.”
The programme’s focus on the United Nation Sustainability Goals (UNSDGs) deepens the network’s commitment to sustainable development. In collaboration with the Real Impact on Society and Environment (RISE) student competition, U21 Global Citizenship places U21 students at the forefront of leading innovation for a more sustainable, equitable future, despite the uncertain times we live in.
To find out more about the projects available through Universitas 21, please visit https://universitas21.com/get-involved