Introducing the UNESCO Chair Student Representatives at Leuphana University

2025-05-20 Since 2005, the UNESCO Chair in Higher Education for Sustainable Development at Leuphana University has worked to integrate sustainability into research and teaching. However, meaningful progress in higher education is not possible without engaging those it serves most directly — students. Recognising this, the Chair introduced the UNESCO Chair Student Representative role to ensure that students are actively involved in advancing sustainable development within the university and beyond.

New Role for Student Engagement

The Student Representative is meant to serve as a vital link between the student body and the UNESCO Chair team. Their responsibilities include facilitating communication, and developing student-led initiatives aligned with the Chair’s mission, representing the Chair at events and contributing to strategic discussions regarding the Chair’s activities. 

Following a public call for applications at Leuphana University, a committee including the UNESCO Chair team, the university’s sustainability officer, and a representative from the general students’ committee (AStA) selected two candidates from among the applicants who have now assumed their roles.

Meet the UNESCO Chair Student Representatives

©Nayama Christy
Nayama Christy is a bachelor’s student in Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies with a minor in Comparative Economic Law. She brings experience in student consulting on sustainability solutions, Model United Nations debates, and interdisciplinary initiatives bridging science and the arts. In addition to her academic pursuits, she is actively engaged in social initiatives, working with organizations such as Lebenshilfe and the Freiwilligen Netzwerk. As a Student Representative, she aims to foster dialogue and collaboration within the university community to drive meaningful change.
©Ciara Charlotte Burgess, Leuphana University
Jeanine Marie Rühle is currently pursuing an M.Sc. in Sustainability Science at Leuphana University, following degrees in Special Education and Educational Science. She is an advocate for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and youth participation, serving as a member of youpaN, a youth panel promoting the implementation of ESD in Germany. She is also the German Youth Focal Point for the UNECE Steering Committee on ESD and a jury member for the National ESD Prize of the German UNESCO Commission. Through her role as Student Representative, she aims to support students passionate about ESD and foster collaboration between UNESCO Chairs.

Expanding the Impact

The concept of the Student Representative was first formally introduced at the UNESCO Chair Ceremony in February 2024 and gained further momentum at the 2024 International UNESCO Chairs Conference in Germany. The role was well received, with many participants emphasising its potential to foster innovative collaborations and amplify student voices in sustainability initiatives. Inspired by this, several UNESCO Chairs have expressed interest in implementing similar roles within their institutions.

The UNESCO Chair in Higher Education for Sustainable Development is looking forward to supporting its Student Representatives in their work and seeing the impact they create within the university and beyond. 

For more information about the UNESCO Chair and its activities, please visit Unesco Chair Leuphana