Sunrise Summit and Global Impact Forum

Why academia is crucial for sustainable innovation

The world is in a time of exponential change. The climate crisis, loss of biodiversity, social fragmentation, and accelerating technological development are existential questions about how we will live and what future we want to create. To meet these challenges, we need systems understanding, courage, and collective intelligence.

Universities have a unique role in this transformation. They serve as laboratories for the future—places where ideas are tested and where people develop both inner and outer capabilities. At Mälardalen University (MDU), we build our strategy on educating global citizens who can act as change-makers. Our strategy map highlights values such as courage, curiosity, and progressiveness—capabilities that are essential in a world where complexity is the norm.

A platform for co-creation and system innovation

The MDU Global Impact Forum is a meeting place for researchers, companies, students, and decision-makers from Sweden, Europe, and India. Under the theme “Creating Impact Innovations Together”, we explore how co-creation and diversity of perspectives can lead to solutions that make a systemic difference.

The forum combines SUNRISE Summit and MDU Global Impact Forum, creating a unique platform for international networking and systemic change. The first day (May 19) focuses on SUNRISE/EUI—a European university initiative hosted by MDU. The following two days (May 20–21) open up for broader participation where SUNRISE meets MDU Global Impact Forum. By integrating these two forums, we create opportunities for greater impact and shared goals.

We look forward to co-creating a space for progressive ideas together with courageous people. Co-creation for system-wide innovations is central. This requires meetings between different disciplines, perspectives, cultures, and sectors. The forum is therefore built on dialogue, interaction, and the power of our collective intelligence.

Curiosity, courage, and diversity of perspectives

The program for MDU Global Impact Forum is designed to challenge, inspire, and engage. Some highlights:

• Keynotes with global perspectives – Leading voices from India and Europe discuss how we create innovation for system transformation.
• Roundtable discussions on co-creation between academia, industry, and the public sector – focusing on questions such as:
  • How do we make a difference with limited resources?
  • What kind of education supports the transition?
  • What enables or hinders innovation for sustainability?
• Students as game changers – presentations of student projects showing how the next generation drives change.
• Innovation Showcases – from circular water solutions to AI and democracy.
• Cultural elements and interactive experiences – to broaden perspectives and create new encounters.
• Parallel sessions on energy, water, food, AI, democracy, health, and economy – with a focus on interdisciplinarity and co-creation.