International Conference "NextGen SUSTAINABILITY" opening the 15th ASECU Summer School in Rzeszów

On July 6, 2026, the Faculty of Economics and Finance of the University of Rzeszów will host the prestigious international scientific conference "NextGen SUSTAINABILITY – Data, Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Transformation", inaugurating the 15th International Youth Conference and ASECU Summer School 2026 (July 6–10).

This event, with a distinctly pan-European character, will gather over 100 participants from all over the world in Rzeszów – not only from various parts of Europe, but also from the USA and China, creating a unique platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience between the academic community, public institutions, and economic practice. The conference is a key highlight of the week organized in cooperation with ASECU (Association of Economic Universities of South and Eastern Europe and the Black Sea Region) – a renowned international network of economic universities that integrates the scientific community of the region and builds bridges between Europe and other parts of the world. The Faculty of Economics and Finance of the University of Rzeszów is one of the longest-represented members of the Polish academic community in this body (since 2009).

The event will be attended by experts representing leading global and national institutions, including EUROSTAT, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Statistics Poland (GUS), as well as scholars from universities in Europe, the United States, and Asia. During plenary sessions and panel discussions, they will address the topic of the responsible use of artificial intelligence in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on areas such as official statistics, healthcare, and regional innovations.

The high prestige of the event is confirmed by the honorary patronage of regional authorities, including the Marshal of the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, the Mayor of the City of Rzeszów, and the Rector of the University of Rzeszów.

Start: Monday, July 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in room D9-108 at 8b Aleksandra Zelwerowicza Street in Rzeszów.

What's next? The conference opens an intensive, five-day Summer School program organized by the Faculty of Economics and Finance of the University of Rzeszów. The program combines science with practice. Participants will take part in AI workshops conducted by Formal Foundry, go on a study visit to the Podkarpackie Innovation Center (PCI), present their own scientific papers, and have the opportunity to discover the tourist and culinary attractions of the Podkarpacie region. The presented papers will be evaluated within the framework of the international competition for the Tsekouras Prize for Young Economists, and selected articles may be published in journals cooperating with the event, including Transborder Economics and Social Inequalities and Economic Growth.

Partners The event is supported by: Deloitte, Podkarpackie Innovation Center (PCI), Statistics Poland (GUS), Statistical Office in Rzeszów, Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE), TVP3 Rzeszów, and Polskie Radio Rzeszów.

The detailed program can be found on the attached poster.