The HEdIS summer school started on a high with an exceptional welcome from the organizing committee. The program began with  with presentations from civil society organizations that are trailblazers in promoting and implementing sustainability in various spheres. Listening to the speakers from United Behind and TOMA-NOW helped us to frame sustainability in South Africa and Cape Town in particular.

The delegates were pleasantly surprised when everyone presented their pecha kucha style presentations. We able to catch a glimpse of each other’s lives as we engaged with one another’s interests, travels and other lived experiences. This was a great prelude to the team creation and design thinking.presentations from civil society organizations that are trailblazers in promoting and implementing sustainability in various spheres. Listening to the speakers from United Behind and TOMA-NOW helped us to frame sustainability in South Africa and Cape Town in particular.

The design thinking sessions were incredible because we were taught to empathize with the people facing the problem each team had set out to define and solve. After a jam packed week of content and practical learning the weekend brought opportunities to relax and explore Cape Town!

The early morning Lions Head hike with splendid views and the jarring reality that some of us were not as fit as we had hoped. Breakfast at the Old Biscuit Mill in the heart of Woodstock one of the oldest suburbs in Cape Town tempted our taste buds with all the culinary delights. We now look forward to our second week of the HEdIS Summer School as we prepare for the final presentations where we propose solutions for the sustainability challenges brought forward in the first week.