📅 When: September 29 – October 3, 2025
📍 Where: University of Orléans, France
The University of Orléans hosted last week the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) on Global Value Chains and Sustainable Development, a vibrant initiative supported by the ATHENA European University alliance. The event brought together 37 students from across Europe — 27 through Erasmus mobility and 10 from the local Master in International Economics at the University of Orléans — for an intensive and inspiring week of learning, collaboration, and cultural exchange.
An International Academic Collaboration
The BIP was coordinated by Isabelle Rabaud (University of Orléans), who warmly welcomed the participants and guided the academic discussions throughout the week. The programme benefited from the expertise of three invited professors: Sebastian Kessing and Volker Stein from the University of Siegen (Germany), and Radoslaw Dolecki from Akademia Wincentego Pola (Poland).
Together, they offered complementary perspectives from economics and management on the evolving landscape of global value chains (GVCs) — and the growing importance of sustainability in a world facing environmental and geopolitical uncertainties.
A Week of Learning, Debate and Teamwork
Throughout five days of lectures, workshops, and collaborative sessions, students explored:
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The managerial and economic consequences of disruptions in GVCs,
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The challenges of sustainability for global production systems,
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Strategies to cope with long-term risks in times of uncertainty,
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And comparative views on policy and business practices from France, Germany, and Poland.
The interactive format encouraged teamwork and intercultural dialogue. Students worked in mixed international groups to analyze real-world cases and develop proposals for sustainable global value chain strategies — laying the groundwork for online follow-up sessions in November and December.
Beyond the Classroom
The week also included social and cultural highlights that enriched the participants’ experience. A welcome coffee and opening session set a friendly tone for the programme, while a cocktail reception at the historic Hôtel Groslot, hosted by the local authorities, celebrated the strong ties between academic and civic institutions in Orléans.
One of the most memorable moments was the visit to the Château de Cheverny, famous for its beautiful gardens and its connection to the Tintin comic universe — offering a glimpse into French heritage and culture.
A Shared Commitment to Sustainable Futures
This BIP exemplifies the spirit of ATHENA: fostering cross-border collaboration, innovative teaching, and shared European values. Through this joint effort between the University of Orléans, the University of Siegen, and Akademia Wincentego Pola, students and faculty alike contributed to a common reflection on how to make global production more sustainable and resilient.
As the participants continue their group work online in the coming months, the outcomes of this BIP will further demonstrate how academic cooperation across borders can lead to fresh insights and creative solutions for a rapidly changing global economy.
ATHENA European University congratulates the organizing team, partner institutions, and all participating students for the success of this 2025 edition of the Global Value Chains and Sustainable Development BIP — a true example of European collaboration in action.
