Café of tolerance

The new student networking project of the TUM Campus Heilbronn gGmbH would therefore presumably please the humanist very much. This year, it is supporting the establishment and operation of five "Erasmus Cafés", initially on the European continent. As a sponsor, the TUM Campus Heilbronn is helping the Erasmus Cafés to pave the way to a sustainable future in close dialog with the Bildungscampus in Heilbronn. Managing Director Daniel Gottschald explains why it made sense to get involved: "The Erasmus Cafés are intended to be a meeting place for all bright minds from the respective region. A place where young people’s future initiatives are supported, piloted and accelerated. We are particularly pleased that the Bildungscampus Heilbronn is seen as a role model here."

The right type

Cafés are a dime a dozen, but what makes the idea of an Erasmus Café so special? They should offer a club meeting place and a platform for all young people and students who think outside the box, are committed to their own projects to shape the future in the field of sustainability and digitalization and are, of course, fans of the invigorating hot drink.

Initial project ideas were exchanged with TUM Campus Heilbronn gGmbH as co-sponsor at this year’s meeting in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Lab as part of the World Economic Forum program in Davos. Teresa Schick, a member of the Management Board who presented the concept for the TUM Campus Heilbronn, was enthusiastic after the event: "An amazing dynamic developed among the almost 80 participants from all over the world in our workshop, which we can now build on in the start-up phase of the Erasmus Cafés." Together with partner United Global SDG Index Institute (UNGSII Foundation), led by founder and Managing Director Roland Schatz, a successful start has been made.

Milestones for 2024

The aim is to establish five Erasmus Cafés by 2024. Locations such as the Northern Portugal region, Vienna and Kosovo have already been chosen. Local roots, cooperation with partners from industry and universities and the organizational talent of young people on site are in demand. At the same time, an exchange across national borders to network today’s visionaries across Europe. As a point of reference and source of ideas, the TUM Campus Heilbronn is looking forward to this first stage.

The United Nations has proclaimed a total of 17 SDG goals for sustainable development by 2030, including gender equality, the eradication of poverty and hunger. The cafés provide space to develop and implement project ideas so that, ideally, all of them can be achieved.