"In conversation with globalization" | 8th edition | Resilience

An integrated academic programme offering a unique international and intercultural experience

"In Conversation with Globalization" is an innovative international supplementary academic programme, organized in collaboration with Universität Stuttgart, St. Xavier's College, University of Mumbai (India), and Stellenbosch University (South Africa). It offers valuable multidisciplinary and intercultural learning opportunities, primarily to students enrolled in the LMCCI and PMTS Master's degree programmes.

Established fifteen years ago by a consortium of leading international partner universities, the programme has included the University of Bergamo as a full partner for the past seven years. Each year, five students—selected primarily from the LMCCI and PMTS Master's programmes—are given the opportunity to take part in both the online course and the Project Week.

The online course is jointly delivered by the University of Stuttgart (Germany), St. Xavier's College, University of Mumbai (India), Stellenbosch University (South Africa), and the University of Bergamo (Italy). Participants study and learn together in an international virtual classroom, working both individually and in multicultural teams throughout the programme.

The programme concludes with an in-person international Project Week to be held in Stellenbosch, South Africa, in January 2027.

Upon successful completion of the programme, students will be eligible to receive an Open Badge, awarded following a positive assessment jointly conducted by the academic coordinators of the partner institutions on the activities completed throughout the programme, including both the online course and the Project Week.

For further information, please contact the Programme Coordinator, Prof. Dorothee Heller (dorothee.heller@unibg.it), or the Deputy Coordinator, Prof. Stefania Consonni (stefania.consonni@unibg.it).

The 2027 Project week will be in Stellenbosch (South Africa)

Project partners: Germany, India, South Africa, Italy

Blended course: Online Course + Project Week

Project week in Stellenbosch (South Africa): January 2027

Deadlines to remember

► The call for applications will be published on 3 September 2026 and will remain open until 24 September 2026. Click here to download the call for applications (coming soon)

► On 8 September 2026 at 4 PM Prof. Dorothee Heller and Prof. Stefania Consonni will host an online Q&A session to answer any questions or provide further information about the programme. Link to the meeting: meet.google.com/uiy-engd-orw

► Selection interviews will take place on 29 September 2026 at 3:00 PM in the Meeting Room, third floor, Piazza Rosate 2, University of Bergamo.

The theme of the 2026-2027 edition

The 2026–2027 edition of this international teaching programme focuses on resilience in relation to the effects of globalization in an increasingly interconnected world.

The programme will examine different dimensions of globalization and explore some of the challenges facing contemporary societies in a new phase of globalization. This phase is characterized by complex and multifaceted developments. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the course will investigate those developments that can be understood as resilience to the current phase of globalization.

Topics will include contemporary debates in politics, economics, society, art, and literature, with a particular focus on Asia (India), Africa (South Africa), and Europe (Germany and Italy).

The online course is jointly delivered by the University of Stuttgart (Germany), St. Xavier's College, University of Mumbai (India), Stellenbosch University (South Africa), and the University of Bergamo (Italy).

Phase 1: Participants will study and learn together in an international virtual classroom. Throughout the course, they will work both individually and in multicultural teams.

Phase 2: The programme concludes with an in-person International Project Week to be held in Stellenbosch, South Africa, in January 2027.

This interdisciplinary and intercultural programme offers an outstanding opportunity to study in an international environment while developing valuable intercultural competencies.

The online component of the programme will be delivered through the ILIAS learning platform.