The EU GREEN Alliance proudly marks the International Day of Light (IDL), a UNESCO initiative celebrated annually on May 16^th, through the EU GREEN Light Festival: Light for Sustainability, a vibrant, multi‑institutional programme of events across Europe.

Aligned with the 2026 theme, “Light for a Sustainable Future”, the festival showcases the transformative role of light and light‑based technologies in advancing scientific innovation, cultural expression, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through a diverse mix of in‑person and online activities, EU GREEN partner universities invited students, researchers, and communities to explore how light contributes to sustainability, education, and societal wellbeing.

 

Festival Highlights

University of Évora, Portugal (14–15 May)

Light, Science and Society: From Cultural Heritage to Global Atmospheres

The University of Évora will deliver a multidisciplinary programme combining scientific research, environmental action, and cultural heritage.

Date: 15 May

Time: 10:00 GMT

• “From Light to Actions: How Spectroscopy Saved the Ozone Layer”
  A public lecture by Dr. Daniele Bortoli exploring how light-based analysis has supported global environmental protection efforts.

Link to the conference:
https://zoom.us/j/96115289132?pwd=awXKORbVwRNcmPHEfhYLDEMKibeQUa.1

 

Date: 14 May

Location: Local Public Event in Évora District Court and Library

 

“Haja Luz!” Public Engagement Programme will take place in Évora, featuring guided tours and talks at the District Court and Library. These sessions will highlight how light-based techniques are used in art analysis, manuscript preservation, early photography, and scientific investigation.

These activities highlight the intersection of science, culture, and society through light‑based innovation.

 

University of Parma, Italy (21 May)

Illuminating Sustainability: The Future of Optical Networks

The University of Parma will host a high‑level seminar event under the patronage of the IEEE Photonics Society Italy Chapter, exploring the critical role of optical fibre technologies in sustainable communication systems.

Date: 21^st May

Time: 10.30-12.30pm (CET)

The programme will feature two expert-led sessions:

• Dominique Chiaroni (Nokia Bell Labs) – Key directions for In-building Sustainable Optical Networks
• Gudrun Gudmundsdottir (Technical University of Denmark) – Toward sustainable data transmission: Environmental impact of a fixed telecommunication network in Sweden 2024

This event will provide participants with valuable insights into how light-based technologies are shaping sustainable digital infrastructure.

To participate, you must register at this link:

Seminars International Day of Light – May 21st

The event is also part of the national Sustainable Development Festival.

University of Oradea, Romania (12–16 May)

SDG Glow‑Up Challenge 2026 – “Light Up the Future”

The University of Oradea will host a creative competition challenging students to transform sustainability concepts into innovative light‑based installations using recycled materials and simple circuitry or digital tools.

Participants will create original artworks representing one of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, submitting a digital project package including:

• A final illuminated image or video
• A short explanation of their concept
• Evidence of sustainable material use

Winning projects will be announced on May 16^th and transformed into professional digital campaign materials and showcased in a virtual “Hall of Light” gallery, highlighting student innovation across the EU GREEN Alliance.

 

Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Ireland

Illuminating Discovery: Research Image Competition

The ATU EU GREEN Team, in collaboration with the ATU Library, will host a Research Image Competition inviting undergraduate, postgraduate, and staff researchers to visually demonstrate how light drives discovery.

Submissions will explore themes such as:

• Light as a scientific tool
• Revealing invisible phenomena
• Natural light and the universe
• Data visualisation through light and colour

Winning images will be announced on 18^th May, awarded prizes and featured across EU GREEN and ATU platforms, showcasing the visual power of research.

Sustainable gastronomy means cuisine that takes into account where the ingredients are from, how the food is grown and how it gets to our markets and eventually to our plates. EU GREEN celebrates this date with events and activities in its different universities.

This year, the theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity is “Be part of the Plan”. This is a call to action to encourage governments, indigenous peoples and local communities, non-governmental organizations, lawmakers, businesses, and individuals to highlight the ways in which they are supporting the implementation of the Biodiversity Plan. Everyone has a role to play and therefore can be #PartOfThePlan. EU GREEN celebrates this date with events and activities in its different universities.

 The World Health Day is celebrated annually and each year draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world. EU GREEN celebrates this date with events and activities in its different universities.

This year’s theme, Towards zero waste in fashion and textiles, focuses on the urgent need to take action to reduce the waste impact from the fashion and textile sector and promote sustainability and circularity.

According to THE UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME:

Between 2000 and 2015, clothing production had doubled. Yet, it is estimated that 92 million tons of textile waste is generated worldwide each year. This is equivalent to a truckload of clothing being incinerated or sent to landfills every second. It is driven by the rapid rise in production and consumption within the textile sector, causing severe environmental, economic, and social issues, especially in the Global South.

Upstream solutions and a zero-waste approach are essential for tackling the waste pollution crisis while generating economic value. Achieving zero waste requires active contributions from governments, industry, and consumers.

The International Zero Waste Day is observed annually on 30th March and highlights both the importance of bolstering waste management globally and the need to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns. Every year, humanity generates between 2.1 – 2.3 billion tons of municipal solid waste. Waste pollution significantly threatens well-being, economic prosperity, and accelerates the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution. Millions worldwide observed the inaugural International Day of Zero Waste in 2023, raising awareness of national, subnational, regional, and local zero-waste initiatives and their contribution to achieving sustainable development. Zero-waste approaches can foster sound waste management and minimize and prevent waste generation.  

 

World Interfaith Harmony Week is devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, within and among all nations and peoples. EU GREEN celebrates this date with events and activities in its different universities.

Under the theme “AI and education: Preserving human agency in a world of automation”, the 2025 International Day of Education inspires reflections on the power of education to equip individuals and communities navigate, understand and influence technological advancement. EU GREEN celebrates this date with events and activities in its different universities.