Bridging Climate and Health: International Webinar Modules for a Resilient Future
The Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW), Stuttgart campus, has implemented an innovative series of webinar modules led by Prof. Dr. Margrit Ebinger, MPH, designed to provide international students with a science-based and practice-oriented understanding of the intersection between climate change and public health. This initiative fosters a student-centred, collaborative environment where participants from across Europe compare health profiles and plan cross-border health promotion projects.
The programme was developed to address several critical global and educational challenges, including:
- Responding to the fundamental threat climate change poses to human health, particularly as Europe is the fastest-warming continent.
- Navigating the disparities between EU countries regarding the quality of healthcare systems and the health status of their populations.
- Raising awareness and commitment to climate-resilient health practices among future professionals.
- Developing intercultural communication skills by engaging students from diverse cultural backgrounds in common goals.
The resulting modular programme uses interactive sessions and evidence-based databases (such as the WHO, OECD, and IPCC) to help students understand how climate change specifically affects different European regions. These modules are delivered through various formats, including Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP), Summer Schools, and Moodle courses, and can be honoured with ECTS or micro credentials.
Results and Impact
Since its implementation, the initiative has demonstrated significant reach and measurable success:
- Successful engagement with students from a wide range of European countries, including Finland, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Poland, and Portugal.
- Consistently positive student satisfaction feedback, confirming the value of the interactive and international approach.
- The development of practical health promotion projects focused on climate adaptation and sustainability, created by international student groups.
- Enhanced internationalisation and regional impact for the participating institutions by preparing students for a healthier, climate-resilient future.
Lessons learned
One of the primary findings of the initiative is that international exchange is exceptionally constructive and conducive to deep learning, as it allows students to compare different systemic realities firsthand. However, a significant challenge identified involves the curricular integration of these modules and the formal recognition of examination achievements across different partner universities.
To address varying institutional needs, the programme was designed with a flexible modular structure, allowing it to be adapted to different settings and timeframes. This modularity makes the initiative highly transferable to other higher education environments looking to integrate climate and health into their international offerings.
Learn more
This showcase illustrates how targeted international cooperation can prepare the next generation for the health challenges of the 21st century. For more detailed information about these modules and their integration into platforms such as Moodle, please refer to the internal teaching resources at DHBW Stuttgart.
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