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The SoL-Project

Cooperation with CHRIST University

Since 2018, there has been a cooperation between katho and CHRIST (Deemed to be University) in Bangalore, India, which was established via the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU). An intensive and lasting collaboration has already been established in recent years. In the period 2023 - 2026, the project “SoL - Social Responsibility and Leadership in Community” will take place as part of the DAAD funding program “SDG Partnerships”. The funds from the funding program will enable the two universities to expand their existing activities.

In order to intensify partnerships between German universities and universities in developing and emerging countries that contribute to sustainable development in the sense of the 2030 Agenda, to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to the establishment of efficient and internationally networked universities in the partner countries, a common interest is required despite all differences and diversity. The basis is not a one-way street, but reciprocity as well as openness and a willingness to learn from and with each other. This is something that has connected katho and CHRIST (Deemed to be University) since the beginning of their collaboration. The project acronym “SoL”, which is similar in pronunciation to the word “soul”, is also intended to illustrate these principles of cooperation and the social responsibility of both universities.

The practical implementation of the topic of social responsibility is planned jointly by katho and the Sociology and Social Work Department at CHRIST. Katho and CHRIST offer joint courses and internships that deal with social work topics such as social inequalities, human rights, child protection, violence and social entrepreneurship. The courses are offered either digitally or in person. As a result of such a joint course on violence against girls and women, an anthology on gender-based violence in India and Germany is being prepared by colleagues from both universities. In addition, joint conferences on the topic of socio-ecological sustainability are being planned.

At CHRIST in Bangalore, specific SDG-related projects are currently being planned, developed and implemented in areas with precarious living situations. Here, the SDG goals “No poverty” (SDG 1), “Quality education” (SDG 4), “Gender equality” (SDG 5), “Clean water and sanitation” (SDG 6), “Affordable and clean energy” (SDG 7) and “Partnerships to achieve the goals” (SDG 17) are brought to life and measures for sustainability are developed, implemented and tested for practicability in the specific living environment of the addressees. For instance, in the DREAMS sub-project, katho and CHRIST social work students visit schools to identify pupils' dreams and goals for the future and support them in realizing their dreams. These numerous activities are documented. In all these areas, the idea of the local is combined with the global. After all, social work professionals who accompany and support people in their social spaces are confronted with global development in a local environment.

The binding cooperation between the university management teams in the area of leadership and social responsibility enables the planning, development and implementation of a strong university partnership. The aim is to promote the SDG-related further development of structures at CHRIST and katho in teaching as well as in university and science management. In addition, the aim is to jointly develop solutions for the challenges faced by people in precarious living conditions in Bangalore. The joint Centre for Ecological and Social Responsibility (CESS) was founded in November 2024 to structurally anchor these objectives at both universities and in the spirit of global cooperation across continents.

Interested colleagues, practitioners and academics are welcome to contact the project manager Prof. Dr. Grit Höppner.

The SoL project refers to the SDGs of the United Nations. At CHRIST in Bangalore, specific SDG-related projects are currently being planned, developed and implemented in areas with precarious living situations. Here, the SDG goals “No poverty” (SDG 1), “Quality education” (SDG 4), “Gender equality” (SDG 5), “Clean water and sanitation” (SDG 6), “Affordable and clean energy” (SDG 7) and “Partnerships to achieve the goals” (SDG 17) are brought to life and measures for sustainability are developed, implemented and tested for practicability in the specific living environment of the addressees. For instance, in the DREAMS sub-project, katho and CHRIST social work students visit schools to identify pupils' dreams and goals for the future and support them in realizing their dreams. These numerous activities are documented. In all these areas, the idea of the local is combined with the global. After all, social work professionals who accompany and support people in their social spaces are confronted with global development in a local environment.

The binding cooperation between the university management teams in the area of leadership and social responsibility enables the planning, development and implementation of a strong university partnership. The aim is to promote the SDG-related further development of structures at CHRIST and katho in teaching as well as in university and science management. In addition, the aim is to jointly develop solutions for the challenges faced by people in precarious living conditions in Bangalore. The joint Centre for Ecological and Social Responsibility (CESS) was founded in November 2024 to structurally anchor these objectives at both universities and in the spirit of global cooperation across continents.

Interested colleagues, practitioners and academics are welcome to contact the project manager Prof. Dr. Grit Höppner.

Current Activities

Participation in the NammaNeeru Marathon in Bangalore

The NammaNeeru Marathon took place in Bangalore on 12.01.2025. Over 800 students, lecturers and residents of Bangalore took part. The aim was to raise awareness for the protection and careful use of water in Bangalore. Slogans, posters and eco-friendly materials were used to educate participants about sustainable water practices. The event received a lot of media attention. The marathon was organized by the Department of Sociology and Social Work, CHRIST University, and the CESS, Center for Ecological and Social Sustainability.

 

Further Activities

Project Manager
Prof. Dr. Grit Höppner

Prof. Dr. Grit Höppner

Gleichstellungsbeauftragte

Münster, Sozialwesen

Funding

With funding from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the DAAD promotes university partnerships in Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)-relevant subject areas that contribute to sustainable development in the sense of the SDGs and to the development of efficient and cosmopolitan universities in the partner countries and in Germany.

As part of the funding, teaching, research and university management are to be structurally strengthened at the partner institutions and study programs in areas of particular importance for sustainable development are to be developed and expanded.

Pictures and photos of the project

Es wird eine Lehrveranstaltung im Stil eines Seminars mit einer Rednerin am Pult gezeigt. Guest Lectureship on the SDGs “Quality Education”, “Gender Equality” and “Affordable and Clean Energy” by Prof. Bharathi at the katho department in Münster. Topics were social work in India, the role of social work in strengthening democracies and women and sustainable living environments, December 2024.
Es wird ein Hörsaal des katho-Standorts Münster mit Gruppenfoto von Studierenden und 5 Prüfessor_innen gezeigt. Group photo for the Guest Lectureship on the SDGs “Quality Education”, “Gender Equality” and “Affordable and Clean Energy” by Prof. Bharathi at the katho department in Münster in December 2024.
Es wird ein Seminarraum an der Christ University in Indien mit Gruppenfoto der indischen Studierenden sowie Prof.in Grit Höppner gezeigt. One-semester course on the SDGs “No Poverty”, “Quality Education” and “Gender Equality”, jointly held by Prof. Dr. Grit Höppner and Prof. Dr. Hemalatha K. entitled “Understanding Social Problems and Developing Solutations: South Indian and German Perspectives”. A teaching unit took place in November 2024 at the Central Campus Bangalore/CHRIST (Deemed to be University) in hybrid format.
Prof.in Haase wird in einem Seminarraum der Christ University zusammen mit indischen Studierenden gezeigt. Prof. Dr. Judith Haase gave lectures on child and youth welfare in Germany and the organization of child protection work at the Central Campus Bangalore/CHRIST (Deemed to be University) in November 2024.
Chancellor Bernward Robrecht, Rector Barbara Schermaier-Stöckl and their Indian colleagues sign the Collaboration Agreement for the Centre for Ecological and Social Sustainability (CESS) in November 2024.
Prof. Bharathi (left) and Prof. Suparna (right) light a candle.
Barbara Schermaier-Stöckl, principal of katho, lights a candle.
The opening of the CESS was accompanied by a dance.
Founders of the CESS in the large event hall
Trees were planted in 2023 in the context of the collaboration with E-Cure.
Prof. Jox wird in einem Seminarraum der Christ University zusammen mit indischen Studierenden gezeigt. Prof. Dr. Jox taught at the Central Campus in Bangalore at the end of March 2024 and at the Lavasa/Pune Campus, CHRIST (Deemed to be University) at the beginning of April 2024. The content of the courses was issues related to the Sustainable Development Goals “Health and Well-being” and “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions”.
Prof. Dr. Grit Höppner, Prof. Dr. Anja Kannegießer und Prof. Dr. Jörg Rövekamp-Wattendorf sitzen in einem Seminarsaal der Christ University zusammen mit indischen Studierenden an einem runden Tisch. One-semester course by katho and CHRIST students on the SDG “Gender Equality”, entitled: Violence against girls, women and the elderly: Sustainable Protection Options for Vulnerable Groups from Indian and German Perspectives, by Prof. Dr. Grit Höppner, Prof. Dr. Anja Kannegießer and Prof. Dr. Jörg Rövekamp-Wattendorf. One teaching unit took place in December 2023 at the Central Campus Bangalore/CHRIST (Deemed to be University) in hybrid format.
Indische Studierende der Christ University sitzen während einer Lehrveranstaltung an einem runden Tisch, im Hitnergrund ist eine Leinwand mit einer Videokonferenz zugeschalteter Seminarteilnehmener_innen. Further insights from the one-semester course by katho and CHRIST students on the SDG “Gender Equality”.
The Chethana project in the rural village of Hoskote, which lives primarily from agriculture, is a combination of social work and female empowerment. In the Indian context, social work is always considered in economic terms. After all, how can social grievances be overcome if the necessary funding is not available? This is how a small, independent bank was founded by the women of the village, into which a large number of farmers and families in the surrounding area pay and store their money.
This capital makes it possible to disburse microloans at low interest rates to members of the community. These in turn create the basis for buying seeds and equipment for farmers, for example.
The Parivarthana (“change”) project at CHRIST in Bangalore aims to recover new resources from the paper waste generated daily by the 20,000-student campus. After the CHRIST team has sorted the paper waste, separated it from metals and plastic and softened it, it is used to layer the fibers into new sheets of paper.
New exercise books and other learning materials are produced daily from the large quantities of paper waste that accumulate on campus every day. These are sold in a store on campus.
The principle of SHGs (Self Help Groups), which social workers have established in urban slums in Bangalore and elsewhere, is very simple: a group of women is formed under guidance and comes together as a savings association. An account is opened together, money is regularly paid into it and the group discusses which member should next receive financial support from the money collected by the SHG.
The financial support from the Self Help Group is used both to pay for professional investment costs and for the private purposes of the women involved. This support must be repaid within a certain period of time. Votes and decisions are made democratically and as a community in the SHG. In this way, SHGs not only promote the financial independence of these women, but also social cohesion in the neighborhood.
The idea for the straws actually came to English professor Saji Varghese by chance when he looked at the coconut leaves on the CHRIST campus. Instead of burning coconut leaves, he thought, wouldn't it be better to twist them into straws? The simple idea turned into a fast-growing start-up that addresses several aspects of sustainability at once. In India, coconut leaves are both a waste product and a renewable resource. By collecting the leaves, farmers can earn an extra wage, for example. CHRIST helped to develop machines to turn the leaves into straws. These machines are not located in large factories, but are specifically set up in rural communities to provide women in particular with a job that is compatible with their families, thereby strengthening them financially.
The CHRIST campus in Bangalore.
Impressions of the CHRIST campus in Bangalore
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