The European Project Sust-HEIn participated as a sponsor at TEDxAUTH 2026 “Krasis” with the Interactive Workshop “Systems in Action”
As part of TEDxAUTH 2026, held under the theme “Krasis” on April 26, 2026 in Thessaloniki, Sust-HEIn – a the European Erasmus+ project run by University of Macedonia and Symplexis in Greece – organised an interactive workshop entitled “Systems in Action: Learning to Make Decisions in Complex Systems”, delivered by Dr. George Tsaples.
The workshop highlighted the importance of systems thinking in modern higher education, focusing on how decisions influence complex and interconnected systems. Through an experiential and participatory approach, participants were encouraged to perceive decision making not simply as a linear problem-solving process, but as a dynamic interaction with consequences that unfold over time.
The initiative was based on the idea that universities often teach theories, tools, and case studies, while failing to adequately address the real complexity of decision making under conditions of uncertainty. Through the workshop, participants explored the “missing layer” of decision making, including system reactions, unintended consequences, and the chain effects generated within interconnected environments.
During the presentation, the simulation model “Green Future University (GFU)” was introduced, a hypothetical yet realistic university ecosystem through which participants explored sustainability challenges, strategic investments, stakeholder engagement, behavioral change, and resource management. Through multiple scenarios, attendees gained a deeper understanding of the interdependencies between infrastructure, financial decisions, academic operations, and environmental strategy.
The workshop also emphasized the role of universities as “living labs”, spaces of real experimentation, collaboration, and sustainability-oriented innovation through participatory and interactive learning methods.
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Sust-HEIn is a European Erasmus+ project entitled “Fostering whole institution approach to sustainability in Higher Education through systems thinking” (Project No. 101086809). The project aims to strengthen sustainability in Higher Education Institutions through holistic approaches, systems thinking methodologies, and innovative educational practices.
