Student Congress 2026
To everyone participating in this week's Una Europa Student Congress: welcome! You’re about to spend four days exploring sustainability challenges, creating solutions, and working with students from European and African universities.
This page is your go-to guide for the week ahead. The programme, key locations, and essential information can all be found here.
What to bring
To make the most of the week, please bring:
- A laptop or tablet: for teamwork, presentations and note‑taking (except on Thursday – you won't need a laptop for the debate).
- Comfortable shoes. You’ll be moving between venues and exploring the city.
- An umbrella or light rain jacket. Dutch weather can be unpredictable.
- An open mind and curiosity, to share ideas and learn from others.
You may also like to download our Student Guide to the Netherlands. For detailed information about the event, please see the Final Information Booklet sent by email on 19 May.
Programme overview
Tuesday, 9 June - Wijnhaven building, The Hague
| 14:00 | Registration and welcome coffee |
| 15:00 | Plenary opening, icebreaker and programme information |
| 17:00 | Local Student Taskforce campus tour |
| 18:30 | Welcome dinner at L’Osteria (Grote Markt 16, 2511 BG) |
| 20:00 | End of Day 1 |
Wednesday, 10 June - Wijnhaven building, The Hague
| 09:00 | Arrival and morning coffee |
| 09:30 | Plenary introduction |
| 10:30 | Challenge work at various locations in the city (we will guide you; lunch included) |
| 15:00 | Presentations on Citizen Science & Leiden University Green Office |
| 16:00 | Independent teamwork on Challenges |
| 17:00 | Close of Day Two |
Thursday, 11 June - Travel day: We'll move to Leiden. Our team will guide you.*
| 09:00 | Meet at The Hague Central Station, travel to Leiden. Walk from Leiden Central Station to the Academy Building. |
| 10:00 | Welcome to Leiden |
| 11:00 | Debate training |
| 12:00 | Lunch |
| 13:00 | Debate |
| 15:30 | Group photo |
| 16:00 | Farewell drinks: Our Rector Magnificus Sarah de Rijcke and Congress Volunteers will join us at Café Barrera (just across the bridge from the Academy Building). |
| 17:30 | Close of Day 3 |
*Further details will be shared during the Congress. You are welcome to travel with our guides or to go independently. Please ensure that you are at the Academy Building (Telders Auditorium) in time for the first session at 10:00 hrs.
Friday, 12 June - Spui Building, The Hague
| 09:00 | Arrival and morning coffee |
| 09:30 | Teamwork presentations on challenges |
| 11:00 | Plenary presentations of challenges |
| 11:45 | Closing lecture, feedback and wrap-up |
| 13:00 | Farewell. Lunch packs to go. Close of Day 4. |
Practical information
Venues
You'll move between three main locations during the week:
- Wijnhaven (The Hague) - Tuesday and Wednesday
- Academy Building (Leiden) - Thursday
- Spui building (The Hague) - Friday
On Wednesday morning and afternoon, team sessions will take place at various locations in the city. Don’t worry: our volunteers will guide you.
Emergency contacts
Our team and volunteers are always nearby if you need help. For urgent issues outside programme hours, please see the emergency contact details shared in the Final Information Booklet.
Accessibility and support
We want everyone to feel comfortable. If you have accessibility or support needs, please reach out to a member of the organising team. We'll do our best to help you.
Photography and privacy
Photographs and video will be taken at this event for promotional purposes. Your attendance implies consent for Una Europa and alliance partners to use these images on our website, social media channels and in publications. For general information about how we process your personal data, please read our Privacy Notice.
Our speakers and facilitators
- Gerard Breeman
- Asia Bertuccioli
- Marianne Edixhoven
- Margaret Gold
- Rogier Groeneveld
- Laura van Helmond
- Lisa Horenberg
- Friedel Grant
- Hidde Kamst
- Bas Nijboer
- Dan Petrovics
- Sarah de Rijcke
- Natalia Szymańska
- Iris Schutten
- Pieter Slaman
- Rita de Sousa e Silva
- Nova Verkerk
Who’s organising this event?
The 2026 Student Congress is organised by Leiden University's Una Europa team and colleagues from the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs. Una Europa is an alliance of 11 leading European research universities, working together to shape the future of education and research.
Who to contact
Reach out to our Una Europa team with any questions about the Student Congress: stuco-una-europa@leidenuniv.nl.