This year's KlarTEXt SummerSchool was all about sustainability. 25 apprenticeships and students took part in an interactive simulation game in which they were tasked with making the fictitious state of "Ecoland" more sustainable, taking into account economic, ecological and social aspects.
In roles as households, media, government and companies, the participants developed strategies to balance income and expenditure, develop legislative proposals and implement ecological measures at the same time. The simulation made it impressively clear how complex, but also manageable, sustainable action can be - especially when different interests have to be reconciled.
The feedback was consistently positive. One participant said: "I learnt a lot of new things. I particularly liked the concept of the simulation game and found it very enriching." Another participant added: "It was a lot of fun and you simply learnt so much; the content contributions were also great food for thought."
At the final presentation to representatives from industry and science, the head of the research institute for textiles and clothing, Prof Dr Maike Rabe, was also impressed by the progress made by the Ecoland population: "The young people did a great job and showed that the commitment to textile sustainability is in good hands."
The KlarTEXt SummerSchool not only offers young talents the opportunity to engage intensively with the topic of sustainability, but also to develop important skills for their professional future. In times when sustainable behaviour is becoming increasingly important, it is essential that the next generation has the necessary knowledge and skills to bring about positive change.
