12th Edition of I-Week: A Global Gathering for Sustainable Development at the University of Antwerp
I-Week is a unique interdisciplinary program where students engage with economic, ecological, and ethical sustainability through:
- Keynote speeches from leading academics and industry professionals
- Interactive workshops on pressing sustainability challenges
- Group projects analyzing real-world sustainability issues
- Poster presentations showcasing innovative solutions
- Networking opportunities with peers from around the world
This year’s hybrid format allowed students to participate both in person in Antwerp and online, ensuring inclusivity and global reach.
Distinguished Speakers and Thought Leaders
The event featured an impressive lineup of over 60 experts from academia, business, and NGOs, including Dr. Ekaterina Ivanova, Associate Professor at HSE Graduate School of Business, a regular member of the I-Week team of professors, who shared insights on responsible leadership, sustainability mindset, creativity, and teamwork.
There were also many other outstanding speakers who made this project a unique experience for all participants:
- Prof. Dr. Peter Verhezen, Prof. Dr. Luc Van Liedekerke, and Prof. Dr. Philippe Nimmegeers on corporate sustainability, ethics, and circularity from a global and organizational perspective
- Prof. Dr. Jan Jonker, Wilfried Remans, and Wouter Ghyoot on circular economy, sustainable business models, and innovation in transition for resilient economies
- Ian O. Williamson, Philippe Weiler, and Vincent Bellinkx on shared leadership and the social aspect of sustainable development
The diversity of perspectives ensured a holistic understanding of sustainability challenges and solutions. The absolute highlight of I-Week 2025 was an interdisciplinary day with a moderated discussion on the sustainability challenges in airport development, engaging over 1,000 students in the controversial impacts that the local airport in Antwerp creates for the community.
HSE University’s Strong Participation
This year marked a record participation from HSE Graduate School of Business:
- 11 students attended in person — the largest offline delegation from HSE GSB in the past five years
- 11 students joined online, actively engaging in discussions and group projects
This strong involvement became a showcase of successful partnership with HSE University’s GSB, highlighting HSE’s commitment to global sustainability education and international academic collaboration.
Associate Professor, I-Week Russian Delegation Academic Leader, GSB HSE University
I want to thank the GSB team — particularly Olga Spiridonova, I-Week 12 Manager, for her amazing work in promoting this unique program, and GSB Deputy Director Ivan Prostakov for his continuous support of this flagship international sustainability mobility program at HSE University. Our hosts in Antwerp were extremely happy with the Russian delegation, as one of the most engaged, open-minded, and genuinely committed to the spirit of sustainable development — with all of their hearts, minds, and souls.
Beyond the Classroom: Experiential Learning
I-Week was not just about lectures — students also experienced:
- A harbor tour exploring Antwerp’s sustainable logistics
- Museum visits linking culture, art, and sustainability
- An interdisciplinary day with 1,086 students, fostering large-scale collaboration
These activities reinforced the real-world applications of sustainability principles.
Why I-Week Matters
Sustainability is a “wicked” problem — complex, interconnected, and requiring multidisciplinary solutions. I-Week equips students with:
- Critical thinking skills to tackle sustainability challenges
- Cross-cultural teamwork experience
- Networking opportunities with global peers and experts
As the world moves toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), initiatives like I-Week play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of responsible leaders.
Looking Ahead
With each edition, I-Week grows in scale, impact, and innovation. The 12th edition proved once again that collaboration across borders and disciplines is key to driving sustainable change.
Marina Pavlenko
B2C Business Management: Technology and Innovation, 2-year student (offline I-Week12 student)
My impressions of I-week on Sustainability are vivid! It was not only an opportunity to attend interesting lectures by experts in the field of ESG & Business, but also a chance to become part of a great community. I especially remember the workshop with a walk through the MHKA museum, where we enjoyed the art, the atmosphere of the city, and reflected on everything. The evenings spent with new friends, full of fun and sincere conversations, will stay in my memory for a long time. I am deeply grateful to the organizers of I-week for giving me the chance to participate in the program and gain valuable experience for building an international career!
Iulia Makushkina
Supply Chain Management and Business Analytics, 3 year student (offline I-Week12 student)
I-Week 2025 brought me not only valuable insights in the field of development, but also great international experience! During the week, I was able to listen to a number of lectures from professors from various universities and professionals from international companies, work in an international team, visit the port of Antwerp, go to the Fashion Walk and even travel to several European cities! This week, full of pleasant acquaintances and new knowledge, can rightfully be considered an unforgettable event :)
Abhishek Milli
International Management, 2 year (online I-Week12 student)
Some weeks teach you more than a semester ever could” and I-Week was truly one of them. Even online, I felt connected, involved, and part of something exciting. The atmosphere was welcoming, and I found myself smiling through most sessions. It felt great to be surrounded virtually by passionate people from all over the world. Every day brought a small moment of inspiration that stayed with me. I may have joined from home, but I still felt the spirit of being somewhere international. I-Week left me with joy, fresh motivation, and a sense that I was part of something meaningful. In short, I-Week changed the way how I think about sustainability. If you ever get the chance to join, don’t miss it it’s an experience that really stays with you.
Anastasia Pakhomova
Business Administration, 2nd year bachelor student (online I-Week12 student)
Participating in I-Week was a powerful experience—even through a screen, the energy was electric. Each online lecture brought fresh insight, with professors who sparked deep reflection on sustainability and global responsibility. Collaborating with my team from different countries pushed us to communicate creatively and find innovative solutions to complex challenges. Despite the distance, we built a strong sense of connection and purpose. I-Week proved that meaningful impact doesn't need a physical space—it needs engaged minds and passionate hearts. It was more than an event; it was a mindset shift.
Arina Simonova
International management program, 2nd year, Master student (offline I-Week12 student)
This I-week has been an incredible experience for me and I am beyond words grateful for the opportunity to become a participant. It was great to meet student from different parts of the words and discuss sustainability with them, exchange ideas, discuss cases. I have met some amazing people, who have became not only my team members, but my friends as well. As for the program of the I-week itself, there were experts from both academic and business background, which in my opinion made this journey very compelling: it is valuable to hear different sides of the discussion to form an opinion. It was also amazing that professors from different parts of the world connected to share their experiences/ This week was absolutely amazing filled with knowledge, practical skills, cultural immersion, new connections and joy! Thank you very much for allowing me to become a part of this community
Evgenii Degtiarev
Business Informatics, 2nd year bachelor student (offline I-Week12 student)
In March 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in I-Week 2025, an event dedicated to sustainable development. It was an eye-opening experience that allowed me to deepen my understanding of sustainability, connect with inspiring individuals from around the world, and collaborate on a fascinating team project. Beyond the academic side, the event was full of exciting cultural experiences. The Mix and Match evening helped me meet students from various backgrounds, and the river cruise gave us a chance to explore Antwerp – a city with rich history and a key role in Europe. I truly believe that the experience I gained during this event will help me continue growing in an international environment, take part in global projects, and move towards building a brighter future for our world
Aleksandr Vorobev
Marketing: Digital Technology and Marketing Communications, 2nd year Master student (offline I-Week12 student)
I didn’t hesitate for a second to apply for the offline I-Week experience and I’ve never looked back! It was a truly immersive dive into Belgian student life, where we not only worked hand-in-hand on our project but also became part of the local community. From late-night conversations and cultural exchanges to student parties, city strolls, and tasting the delicious local cuisine. I-Week was more than just an academic program; it was a whirlwind of emotions, friendships, and eye-opening encounters. I ran into a student from Turkey who attended the same program as my friend in UK, it was the moment I understood: we live in a small world. If you are still not sure, trust me, it could become a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that will stay with you forever. After all, the most valuable experiences are those shared with people who make the world feel a little closer.
Nataliia Panchenko
1st year, Master in International Management (offline I-Week12 student)
It’s no exaggeration to say that this week was one of the most exciting in my life: a packed schedule, countless new acquaintances, plenty of opportunities to present myself — and at the same time, an incredible amount of insight from experts working directly with ESG at the highest level. Every evening, as I returned to the hotel, I could literally feel my head buzzing — and I was genuinely thrilled by that feeling!But in fact, the most distinctive feature of I-week compared to all the other formats I’ve participated in is its combination of soft and hard skills that you can gain over the course of the conference: on the one hand, it’s unlimited communication with students from around the world, and on the other — a vast body of knowledge and hands-on experience in ESG.I’m not afraid to make the following statement: if you want to work with ESG (which is no longer part of the future but very much the present), then the International Week on Sustainability is a perfect opportunity to lay a strong foundation for yourself in this field.
Diana Sungatullina
Supply Chain Management, 3rd year Bachelor student ("I-Week12 student)
Communicating with international students and experts made me see sustainability through a global lens, but at the same time, it also reinforced that real impact starts with steps on local level. I-Week was more than lectures! It was a challenge to rethink how we approach sustainability in different fields, whether in business, policy or daily life.
Kirill Ragozin
1st year, Master in International Management "( I-Week12 offline student)
They say you don’t appreciate it until you lose it. I won’t say that’s not true. But the I-Week trip revealed another truth to me – you don’t appreciate it until you gain it. During the Sustainability Week at the University of Antwerp, I gained my first experience of studying abroad, new friends, valuable insights and knowledge. It turned out that one week can be a big boost to realizing your interests, goals and even dreams. I am very grateful to Ekaterina Aleksandrovna and the Graduate School of Business for the opportunity to learn from the best, to get to know myself and to expand my horizons!
Abdullah Darvishfoti
1st year Master student, Business Analytics and Big Data System "( online I-Week12 online student)
I would like to sincerely thank Peter Verhezen and Dr. Ekaterina Ivanova for their great work throughout the week and for allowing us to be part of such a meaningful experience.
Yulia Fotieva
4th year of Bachelor "Business-Informatics"(online I-Week12 student)
Taking part in #I-Week at the University of Antwerp was a truly inspiring experience that deepened my understanding of sustainability in business. I was especially impressed by Peter Verhezen and Dr. Ekaterina Ivanova, who created an open space for dialogue and encouraged us to reflect critically—Peter’s words, “Scientific progress is only possible when there is space for dialogues, when there is tension,” really resonated with me. Jan Jonker also left a strong impression with his charismatic talk about the societal transition we’re currently living through and the need for new models of value creation based on sustainability, circularity, liveability, and biodiversity. The most valuable part for me was working in a diverse and creative team with students from Belgium, India, and Taiwan—we achieved real synergy and developed a project on strategy towards eco-conscious products using A.S. Adventure as a case. This experience helped me see what truly matters when choosing a future workplace: purpose, values, and a serious approach to sustainability.