10th Anniversary Celebration of the 2016 Opening IYGU

Date: Monday 23 February 2026, 2–5:30 P.M. CET

Link Online event: ZoomExternal link / Link Program: PDFpdf, 184 kb · de 

Programme:

The current authoritarian developments in world politics, with an increasing nationalisation of global problem constellations, demonstrate the importance of the programme of the 2016 International Year of Global Understanding.

Against the backdrop of growing insecurities due to globalisation processes and the heightened relevance of the International Year of Global Understanding today, we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of its opening ceremony with leading experts from the fields of science, politics and grassroots organisations, as well as fantastic artistic contributions. 

In February 2016, the opening ceremony of the IYGU at the Volkshaus in Jena, was the official starting point of a truly historic event. For the first time in the history of science, all three major international science councils of the natural sciences (ICSU), social sciences (ISSC) and humanities (CIPSH) were united in a common project. This marked the beginning of a new way of scientific cooperation, which has led to such important processes, like the merger of ICSU and ISSC to the formation of the new science council (ISC) in 2018, the preparation of the ground for a solid inclusion of the humanities in sustainability policies leading to the UNESCO-MOST Bridges Coalition , the creation of five UNESCO humanities chairs in the field (including the one of Friedrich Schiller University), and so on. But not only that.

Also, of well over 1000 reported specific IYGU events around the world reaching millions of citizens, the establishment of more than 30 highly active Regional Action Centers, an impressive series of publications and much more. To all this, you have contributed substantially over the years of preparing and implementing the jointly developed program, as Patrons, members of the Steering Committee, Scientific Panel, International Relations, Regional Action Centers, Youth & Gender, Media & Education Networks, or as Goodwill Ambassadors, as well as all the partner institutions and organizations.

In view of this success, which provides a blueprint for many approaches that are still gaining importance, we are celebrating the IYGU and calling for support for its ongoing programme, including The Jean Declaration (TJD). Looking forward to seeing you there!

Benno Werlen