Opening Week

Security used to mean something we could rely on: stable climates, functioning institutions, secure jobs. Today the question becomes increasingly urgent: What does security mean in a world where uncertainty has become the norm rather than the exception?
Climate systems are under growing stress, straining the resilience of ecosystems, infrastructures, and the communities that depend on them. Escalating conflict, shifting alliances, and contested authority are challenging international cooperation. Meanwhile, within societies, the transformation of work is unsettling long-held certainties, from job stability to mental health and belonging.
These are not separate crises, but interwoven dimensions of a shared condition. Across three themes (Climate & Resilience, Escalation & Cooperation, and Work & Justice) we invite you to explore during the Opening Week how insecurity is reshaping our world, and how we might respond with resilience, cooperation, and justice.

The Opening Week 2026 takes place from 1 October until 9 October. Under the motto IN::SECURTY we invite you to work in projects and to focus on one of the four focal themes: 

1. Escalation & Cooperation
2. Climate & Resilience
3. Work & Transformation

During the Opening Week that marks the very beginning of the semester, your ideas will be essential. Together with around 1500 first-semester students, you will create a digital collage comprising both visionary videos and journalistic commentaries. We will collect and save your ideas during the semester up until the conference week, the final of the semester.

Renowned guests and keynote speakers will take part in the Opening Week. Through a modular programme, you can exchange your ideas with international experts from different fields of social relevance such as politics and science. At the same time, you will work within your project groups.

We look forward to shape the Opening Week 2026 together with you.