As part of the International Day of Environmental Protection 2025, the Faculty of Technology and Life Sciences (Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Environmental Protection and Landscape Management, and the Institute of Food Technology and Human Nutrition) organised an important meeting under the honorary patronage of the Rector of the University of Rzeszów, Professor Adam Reich.

The meeting coincided with the visit of Professor Victoria Wyszyński Thoresen from Inland Norway University to the University of Rzeszów.

As an educator and researcher, Professor Victoria W. Thoresen specialises in curriculum development, global education, values-based learning, and education for sustainable development. She is the author of numerous academic articles, books, and teacher training manuals across various levels of education. She has frequently served as an international education consultant. Professor Thoresen led PERL (The Partnership for Education and Research about Responsible Living – a network of 140 universities in 50 countries) and was the founder and director of The Collaborative Learning Centre for Sustainable Development at Inland Norway University. She has collaborated closely with UNEP, UNESCO, the EU, and other international agencies focused on sustainability. In 2014, she was appointed as the UNESCO Chair in Education for Sustainable Lifestyles. She is now Professor Emerita at Inland Norway University and also holds the title of Extraordinary Professor at the University of Fort Hare in the Republic of South Africa. Professor Thoresen lectures regularly at universities across the USA, Europe and Africa, and at international conferences.

Professor Thoresen was the keynote guest of the meeting, which included the following programme:

1. Introduction: “Do we need the International Day of Environmental Protection?”, Professor Joanna Kostecka.
2. Lecture: “Responsible and Sustainable Living – Research and Practice”, Professor Victoria W. Thoresen.
3. Workshop: “Playing for the Future: Sustainable Development Games”, conducted by Professor Victoria W. Thoresen with the participation of student research groups and artists Anna Baran and Krystyna Bileńka, celebrating the beauty of nature through art.

Despite the unfortunate timing at the end of the semester, with exams and student festivities (Kulturalia), the meeting was well attended, particularly by students – including members of the Business Leaders Student Research Group from the friendly Faculty of Economics and Finance.

Following the lecture, Professor Thoresen enthusiastically answered a large number of questions from attendees. After a delicious refreshment break, she led a workshop that also attracted strong interest and engagement from students, giving them another opportunity to expand their knowledge and practise English through discussion.

The event was organised primarily by the Department of Agricultural Foundations and Waste Management, supported by students from the University of Rzeszów Student Research Group for Sustainable Development. Partners of the event included the City of Rzeszów, the Polish Society for Ecological Engineering, and the Polish Naturalists’ Society – Rzeszów Branches. The refreshments were generously sponsored by Hamburger Recycling Polska.

An important element of Professor Thoresen’s visit was a meeting with Professor Jolanta Szempruch, Vice-Rector for Science and International Relation at the University of Rzeszów. During their discussion, possibilities for joint actions were explored – especially in the areas of research cooperation and student exchange across various forms of education. We sincerely thank the Vice-Rector for her financial support, which enabled us to host such an esteemed international guest. This allowed our academic community to benefit from a valuable opportunity to deepen its understanding of responsible futures and the complexity of sustainable development.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants for attending and contributing to the success of the event.

Professor Victoria Wyszyński Thoresen had a highly productive visit to the University of Rzeszów. She gave an interview (link), met with pupils from the University Secondary School, and her lecture on 6 June was recorded and will be made available on the university's website (link).