Empowering a New Generation of Sustainability Leaders - AMBITION Project Concludes in Ghana
Doctoral candidates and project coordinators of the AMBITION project gathered in Kumasi, Ghana, for the final meeting of a two-year initiative focused on sustainable development and just transitions. Hosted by KNUST, the event marked the culmination of interdisciplinary collaboration across seven universities and celebrated the programme’s impact on research, policy engagement, and youth education.
From June 2–6, doctoral candidates and project coordinators of the AMBITION (AMBassadors for sustainable transITION) project came together in Kumasi, Ghana, for the programme’s Closing Meeting, hosted by Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). This final gathering marked the culmination of a two-year journey that fostered a vibrant academic community grounded in collaboration, learning, and lasting friendships - spanning more than 10 countries.
AMBITION brought together doctoral candidates from diverse disciplines and regions from five European and two African universities to engage with the complex challenges of global sustainable development and just transitions.
While three summer schools of the programme focused on Life cycle sustainability assessment, Integrated Energy and cross-sectorial modelling and Governing the just transition, the final week in Ghana centered on the Science-Policy interface. Participants discussed how to communicate research findings effectively to policymakers and other stakeholders.
The week also provided the opportunity to reflect on the project’s achievements. One that sparked a lot of inspiration was the learning sessions the doctoral candidates organised with local high school students in their respective countries of residents. AMBITION was able to reach more than 700 high school students, raising awareness about global sustainable development.
The AMBITION experience has strengthened participants’ interdisciplinary knowledge, cross-cultural competencies, and science-policy engagement skills, equipping them to contribute meaningfully to global efforts toward a just and inclusive future.
