International Conference
We are thrilled to invite you to the SOFTEN 2025 – International Conference: “Green Soft Skills in Action: Shaping the Future of STEM Education”, the grand finale of the SOFTEN project!
This exciting event will celebrate the culmination of our 3-year partnership, bringing together a vibrant mix of STEM educators, students, policymakers, researchers and green economy leaders. Together, we’ll explore how green soft skills can shape the future of professionals in the green economy and revolutionize STEM education across Europe. Organized by Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences
, the project’s coordinator, this conference will showcase key outputs and achievements aimed at advancing green soft skills across STEM Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in six European countries: Greece, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Portugal, and Italy.
What can attendees expect?
- Discover SOFTEN’s key results – including the Green Soft Skills Framework, the MOOC, and the project’s interactive e-platform
- Gain insights into how green soft skills can transform STEM education and support the green transition across Europe
- Engage in fruitful discussions with a diverse panel of stakeholders from academia and the green economy
- Exchange ideas and network with fellow educators, students, researchers and industry professionals
- Be inspired by keynote speeches on current trends, opportunities and challenges in green jobs and skills, with a focus on Poland’s economy and business sector.
Join us for a vibrant exchange of ideas, inspiring keynote talks and hands-on insights into SOFTEN’s key outcomes. Let’s shape together the future of STEM education for a greener, more sustainable Europe!
We look forward to seeing YOU at the Conference!
Participation is free of charge, upon registration by 06.10.2025 !
For any questions about the Conference, please contact:
Tomasz Noszczyk: tomasz.noszczyk@upwr.edu.pl
Christina Galani: christina.galani@stimmuli.eu
Arkadiusz Dyjakon: arkadiusz.dyjakon@upwr.edu.pl
Keynote Speakers:
Alessandra Tomasini
METID Learning Innovation – Politecnico di Milano
Passionate about innovative teaching, she combines her scientific background with expertise in instructional design to create engaging blended and online learning experiences.
Christina Galani
Project Manager and Researcher at Stimmuli for Social Change
Christina Galani is a Project Manager and Researcher at Stimmuli for Social Change in Thessaloniki (Greece), working on educational EU-funded projects in climate education, green soft skills, gender equality, and social economy. She has experience in mixed-methods research, needs analysis and application of innovative pedagogies in school and university curricula. She holds a Master in Philosophy, Politics & Economics from the University of Bari (Italy) and a Bachelor’s degree in political science from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Elżbieta Antczak
University professor at the Chair of Spatial Econometrics at the University of Łódź
Prof. Elżbieta Antczak, PhD habil., is a university professor at the Chair of Spatial Econometrics at the University of Łódź and works at the Center for Regional Analyses and Public Policies (CARP). She specializes in spatial and spatio-temporal analyses in economics and geography, with research covering regional development, sustainable development, labor markets, and demography. She is the author of numerous scientific publications and collaborates with academic institutions both in Poland and abroad.
Emmanuel Querrec
Senior lecturer at Turku University of Applied Sciences
Emmanuel QUERREC currently works as a senior lecturer at Turku University of Applied Sciences (TURKU UAS), specialised in the field of supply-chain sustainability. Throughout his career, Emmanuel had the opportunity to work in various logistics positions in both industry (GEODIS, ex-Giraud) and research (NTNU – Rolls-Royce, DNV and STX). With a passion for computer engineering (ERP systems, standardization) Emmanuel emphasizes on developing Green Soft Skills as a critical competence for STEM education.
Francesca Concia
METID Learning Innovation – Politecnico di Milano
She designs innovative learning paths at the Italian and European levels. She loves delving into the depths of knowledge and finding the best solutions so that it can become a heritage for everyone.
Jowita Pyszczek
International Relations Office
Jowita Pyszczek, currently an employee of the International Relations Office, holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering, Mining, and Energy. Her doctoral thesis focused on Green Infrastructure in rural areas of the Wrocław Functional Area. Her passion for “green ideas” remains to this day. In addition, she coordinates the “Building a truly sustainable campus” work package as part of the EU GREEN project.
Jakub Kwaśnicki
Acting Head of the Career Office Section
His work focuses on intensifying relations with external partners – companies and institutions surrounding the market and HR departments. He organizes trade fair events, meetings between students and companies, and obtains job and internship offers. He plans and organizes the work of the Career Office Section. He graduated from the School of Business Coaching Moderator in Wrocław and became an assessment and development center assessor at the Kozminski University in Warsaw. He also conducts training and consultations for students on recruitment processes and application documents.
Conference Agenda
📅 Date: 16 October 2025, Time: 08.30 – 17.00
📍 Location: Wrocław, University of Environmental and Life Sciences (UPWr), Plac Grunwaldzki 24a (John Paul II Auditorium), Poland
| 08:30 – 09:30 | Registration and Coffee |
| 09:30 – 09:45 | Conference Opening |
| 09:45 – 10:00 | Introduction to SOFTEN Project Arkadiusz Dyjakon (SOFTEN Project Coordinator)Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Science, Poland |
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Shaping Green Jobs and Skills in Poland from the economy/business perspective – Needs, Opportunities, and Challenges Ahead Elżbieta AntczakLodz University, Poland |
| 10:30 – 11:00 | Green Soft Skills at the Crossroads of STEM and Green Economy: Insights from the SOFTEN Framework Christina GalaniSTIMMULI for Social Change, Greece |
| 11:00 – 11:20 | The ideal job candidate as seen through the eyes of a green headhunter Jakub Kwaśnicki, Jowita PyszczekWroclaw University of Environmental and Life Science, Poland |
| 11:20 – 11:40 | Coffee Break |
| 11:40 – 12:10 | How to teach Green Soft Skills Alessandra Tomasini, Francesca ConciaPolitecnico di Milano, Italy |
| 12:10 – 12:30 | SOFTEN ePlatform: Connecting STEM Education and Green Business Emmanuel Querrec Turku University of Applied Science, Finland |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch Break |
| 13:30 – 14:30 | Panel Discussion: Beyond Knowledge: Growing Green Soft Skills in Tomorrow’s Professionals Representative of: Higher Education Teaching StaffStudentsHuman Resources OfficeGreen Business Company |
| 14:30 – 15:00 | Official Conference Closing |
| 15:00 – 17:00 | Networking Banquet |