HSE GSB Concludes Successful Participation in 13th I-Week on Sustainability at University of Antwerp
The event featured an inspiring lineup of guest speakers from the UN Global Compact, international business, NGOs and professors whose insights helped students connect sustainability concepts to real-world challenges and opportunities. Throughout the I-Week on sustainability, one clear message echoed across all presentations from over 50 participating guest-speakers: sustainability only drives real progress when it goes beyond compliance and becomes part of a company’s identity and decision-making. The discussions revealed that true transformation happens when businesses tackle the root causes of environmental and social issues, embed circular thinking across their value chains, and see ethical leadership as a source of strength rather than obligation. Several speakers showed how integrating stakeholder interests and long-term impact into strategy can boost competitiveness, proving that ESG practices are not just a cost but a path toward innovation and resilience. At the same time, experts noted the need for honesty - metrics and labels must reflect genuine outcomes, not cosmetic reporting. While global frameworks like the UN Global Compact help guide action, the real challenge lies in adapting them meaningfully to each local context and inspiring lasting behavioral change among consumers and employees alike. The insights from the I-Week painted a hopeful but demanding picture: building a sustainable future is less about meeting standards and more about reshaping business purpose around shared value and collective impact.
HSE GSB faculty and student delegation expresses particular appreciation for the comprehensive approach taken by the organizing I-Week team at the University of Antwerp, whose dedication, creativity, and coordination ensured the event's success. From insightful content delivery and logistics management on campus and during the site visits to the Port of Antwerp, Kafka Social Enterprise and local museums to technical support, the organizing committee under leadership of University of Antwerp’s Professor Peter Verhesen demonstrated exceptional professionalism. The University of Antwerp's consistently high standards for the I-Week program continue to set an impressive benchmark for international sustainability education. HSE GSB remains committed to contributing meaningfully to this flagship international mobility program and maintaining the quality standards established by their Antwerp colleagues.
Reflection of HSE GSB academic leader of I-Week
Associate Professor, Department of Strategic and International Management, HSE University Graduate School of Business
As a faculty member of the IWeek team and an academic leader of the HSE University GSB delegation, I'm filled with gratitude to be part of this amazing program for the 6th time. I'm feeling proud of the contribution of our large delegation of 7 offline and 18 online students made to the success of I-Week in 2026. This would not have been possible without the support of my colleagues at GSB, whom I want to thank for their amazing support at all stages of the program launch and implementation: Deputy Director of GSB Professor Ivan Prostakov, Managers of GSB International Office Olga Spiridonova, and Olga Rodina.
This year, apart from the sustainability art-walk workshop at the MHKA - the Museum of Contemporary Art in Antwerp - we run with my co-facilitator from University of Antwerp Leonie Delaey, I had the privilege to mentor 9 project teams of future leaders, exploring sustainability strategies of companies driving innovations in their quest to bring purpose and flourishing to their businesses. I am thankful to the University of Antwerp PhD Candidate Oberon De Deurwaerder for helping me run and grade the final team projects. It was a truly impactful last day of I-Week!
Danila Sobolev
online I-Week 2026 student, 2nd year student, GSB Masters Program in International Management
Participating in the 13th I-Week on Sustainability at the University of Antwerp was a highlight of my semester. I-Week is a blend of first tier speakers, insightful lectures and intensive group work in international teams. For ones who did not participate, I highly recommend doing so!
I'm grateful to the organization committee and our HSE GSB delegation led by Dr. Ekaterina Ivanova for making this opportunity possible. I-Week reinforced my belief that meaningful change starts with cross-border collaboration and diverse thinking.
Uliana Kisataeva
offline I-Week 2026 participant, 2nd year student, GSB Masters Program in International Management
Sustainability is not a linear process, but a journey of ups and downs, just like our inner world. I believe it’s important to stay connected to this idea and find inspiration in it, especially in difficult times. Real change begins with belief, taking action, and starting from within.
For me, I-Week is above all about people, diversity, and a shared belief in the future. It also reminds us how different we all are in the way we think, what we believe in, and how we see the same challenges. And it makes me wonder: how can we build a perfect “green” world if everyone sees a different shade of green? Maybe what truly matters is not seeing things the same way, but choosing to move forward together.
Vadim Vereshchagin
online I-Week 2026 participant, 2nd year student, GSB Masters Program in Operational Excellence and Production Systems
I participated in the “I-Week” event in Antwerp, which was held online. The event brought together a wide range of speakers and covered a variety of topics related to sustainable development. The program included informative lectures, workshops, and interactive discussions. I actively engaged with the speakers, asking questions that were important to me, and truly appreciated the opportunity to exchange views with professionals in the field.
I was in Istanbul during that week, which made the experience even more memorable. I combined my studies with exploring the city’s culture and traditions, creating a dynamic and inspiring learning environment. In addition, I participated in a team project for Maersk, where our international team—comprising participants from four different countries—worked on developing ESG solutions. This collaboration provided me with valuable experience in cross-cultural communication and teamwork.
Cao Thi Thuong
offline I-Week 2026 participant, 2nd year student, GSB Masters Program in International Management
Joining the 13th I-Week on Sustainability at the University of Antwerp was an unforgettable experience for me. As a Vietnamese student, I was a little nervous at first, but meeting people from 44 nationalities made me feel welcome and excited to learn together.
Throughout the week, I gained so many valuable insights, practical knowledge, and meaningful experiences that I could never get from textbooks alone. The team mentoring sessions helped me understand how real companies build sustainability into their strategies, and I learned so much from listening to different perspectives and working with teammates from diverse backgrounds.
I want to sincerely thank Dr. Ekaterina Ivanova for making this journey possible. She is not only a wonderful professor but also a caring mentor who always encourages and supports her students. Her guidance helped me get the most out of this program, and I am truly grateful for everything she has done for our delegation. I will carry these lessons and memories with me for a long time,
Jaspers Huanay
offline I-Week 2026 participant, 2nd year student, GSB Masters Program in International Management
Taking part in the I-Week in Antwerp was a truly unique and enriching experience. It was not only an event where meaningful ideas, knowledge, and insights were shared, but also a space that encouraged open dialogue, reflection, and the exchange of diverse perspectives among people from different countries, cultures, and professional backgrounds. I personally think that this is especially valuable because it creates an environment where participants could learn from one another in a deeper and more personal way.
I strongly believe that events like this broaden our understanding of the world and help us develop a more comprehensive and empathetic perspective, not only toward environmental challenges, but also toward the important social dimensions that are closely connected to sustainability and global development.
Samina Khudaiberdieva
online I-Week 2026 participant, 4th year student, GSB Bachelor Program in Marketing and Market Analytics
I-Week has been a wonderful experience to me. Even though I took part online, I was impressed by the level of organisation and the quality of the program. Organisers were always ready to help students, the live-broadcasts were smooth, and the assessment approach was smart too.
What is more, I really enjoyed the diversity of international people in the project group. There were students from Belgium in my team as well as a student from the same university as me. I am glad that I had a chance to work with such purposeful and hardworking people!
Overall, the topic of sustainability is crucial, and I-Week is the program where speakers from different backgrounds and places took part in conveying their thoughts and experiences to us, the younger generation. I hope that more students will be united and motivated by this program in the future!
Elizaveta Ivanova
offline I-Week 2026 participant, 4th year student, GSB Bachelor Program in Business Administration
International Week on Sustainability became an unforgettable adventure and a cherished memory that I will carry with me for many years. The five intensive days were filled with discussions, lectures, and reflections led by international academics, sustainability experts, and CEOs. This experience allowed me to see sustainability from a new perspective, gain valuable experience, and make friends from different parts of the world.
The program was quite intensive, but it gave me the opportunity to devote time both to academic activities and to cultural experiences. I enjoyed walking through the city’s historic sites, taking part in the Port of Antwerp cruise, and sharing meaningful conversations with fellow participants. I remain deeply grateful to the faculty of the University of Antwerp for their warm welcome, as well as to the managers of the HSE GSB International Office for their support.
Overall, the I-Week left the impression that sustainability is not a checklist but a way of rethinking how organizations create value, balance trade-offs, and contribute to a more responsible future. The successful completion of this year's I Week reinforces the importance of international partnerships in advancing sustainability education and research across leading global business schools.
