Pomeranian Universities Joining Forces to Foster Regional Development
Twelve universities from the German-Polish border region met at the University of Greifswald on 17 November 2025 to announce their intention to establish a cross-border network in the region of Pomerania.
The principle aim of the initiative is to strengthen sustainable development and solidarity in the border region through academic collaboration.
The University of Szczecin and Doctoral School US cooperating with the UNESCO Chair for Social Sustainability at the University of Szczecin were represented by:
- dr hab. Kinga Flaga-Gieruszyńska, prof. US, Chairwomen of the Avisory UNESCO Board
- dr hab. Maciej Kowalewski, prof. US, UNESCO Chairholder
- dr Norbert Obrycki, Chairman of the Steering UNESCO Committee
The participating universities signed a joint memorandum of understanding. The document includes the following passage:
“By establishing this network of universities in the Polish-German borderland, we are confident that we can make significant contributions to the academic, social, and economic development of the region.”
The first specific measures have been initiated on the topic of social sustainability in collaboration with the UNESCO Chair for Social Sustainability at the University of Szczecin. Three workshops were held on the topic in Szczecin, Neubrandenburg, and Kulice in 2024 and 2025.
The following institutions are involved in the alliance of November 17 are:
- Academy of Art In Szczecin
- hmt Rostock
- Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development
- Hochschule Neubrandenburg University of Applied Sciences
- Hochschule Stralsund University of Applied Sciences
- Maritime University of Szczecin
- Koszalin University of Technology
- Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin
- University of Greifswald
- University of Rostock
- University of Szczecin
- West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin
Some historical moments of UNESCO Chair by SD US: