SDGs in Action in Berlin

Key Information

Information

Application Deadline: 03/02/25 at 9:00 am

Opportunity type: Extra-curricular opportunities, Volunteering

Ref: 10009228

Dates

Departure Date: 23/06/25

Return Date: 28/06/25

Costs

£450: the estimated cost for travel and accommodation (excluding any support). Students will also be required to pay for: UK and in-country transfers, visits, food and drink, visa (if applicable)

Funding

DMU Global Bursary: £200

Booking

Accommodation: Shared rooms in a hostel booked by DMU

Travel: Flights booked by DMU (students travel as a group)

Contact

General Enquiries: Global Mobility Office - dmuglobal@dmu.ac.uk

Trip Lead: Mark Charlton - mcharlton@dmu.ac.uk

How to pay

Payment details: Students will be required to pay £250 as a contribution towards the cost of travel and accommodation after being offered a place on the trip. The DMU Global bursary will be deducted directly from the overall cost of the booking.

Carbon Levy

Student contribution: To offset the carbon emissions from the flight for this trip there is a £3 Carbon Levy for this trip which has been added to the total cost. Information about how this Levy will be used can be found here.

Trip Profile

Independence

Independence

Group travel

Independent travel

Trip price

Trip price

Lower

Higher

Trip duration

Trip duration

Shorter

Longer

Eligibility

All DMU students are eligible to participate on this opportunity but it would be particularly relevant for students with a demonstrable interest in politics, law, human rights and social justice. There are a maximum of 30 places available, with a minimum of 12 participants required for this opportunity to take place. Students are recommend to check the eligibility criteria before applying.

About

Trip description

Building on existing relationships between DMU, the UN SDG16 Hub and SDG partners in Berlin, this opportunity directly aligns with the SDG16 hub’s objective to engage students in the history, cultural context and politics around the overall UN SDG 2030 agenda,. Visiting Berlin will allow participants to connect with ideas for sustainable development in a city that has seen many challenges to peace.

Students will learn the importance of SDG 16 and the other UN SDGs, through meeting people who work on sustainable development projects in Berlin, engage in volunteer projects, meet high-level decision makers and learn from experiences of people living in the German capital city.

There will also be visits to learn about key historical landmarks and institutions, and a guided tour of the city put the significance of these places into context. Finally, a visit to the Marianfeld Refugee Centre Museum will provide the opportunity to learn first-hand about the challenges that those fleeing conflict face.


Why take part?

Students will get the chance to work closely with refugee and migrant communities, aid workers and experts to gain a unique understanding of how to progress peaceful and sustainable communities through the UN SDGs in a city which has grown out of the darkest days in history to become a cultural superpower. Along the way you will develop new networks, meet interesting people from the front line of the global migration challenge right up to the diplomats trying promote peaceful and just communities around the world.


Learning Objectives

Participating in a DMU Global opportunity can help you develop knowledge, skills, and competencies that enhance your studies. The objectives of this trip to Berlin are for students to:

  • Learn more about the key facets of the UN SDGs and particularly SDG16
  • Learn about the history of Berlin and its relevance to modern society, culturally and politically
  • Enhance intercultural competency to be able to interpret global issues, understand and appreciate different world views, and are to effectively interact across cultures
  • Make connections with your area/programme of study and the SDG’s, connecting the visit to social and impact and learning

Cultural Activities

Participants will have free time to explore Berlin and learn more its culture and important position in 20th century history. Students may wish to consider visiting the iconic Reichstag building and Brandenburg Gate. There are also a range of museums to be found at Museum Island that can be explored, such as the Pergamon Museum.

Visa Information

Due to various external factors and an unprecedented demand for international travel, there are significant delays in visa processing, as well as very limited availability of application appointment slots for some countries and embassies.

We recommend that you take all appropriate steps to secure a visa as soon as practically possible, and to notify DMU Global if you face any issues. It is your responsibility to meet the entry requirements of the country you are travelling to. Failing to do so may mean that you’re liable for the costs incurred to the university (including repayment of the DMU Global bursary).