The issues related to the UN Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact are reflected not only in our mission, vision and values, but also in our philosophy and culture of education. Vistula University implements the ESG activities, i.e. in the field of environmental protection, social responsibility and corporate governance.

Our institution takes actions aimed at engaging the academic community in activities for the benefit of environmental protection and climate neutrality. It develops and implements solutions aimed at reducing energy and water consumption as well as pollutant emissions. We implement rational waste management and care for biodiversity.

• Students and employees of Vistula University take part in the afforestation campaign in the Chojnów Forest Inspectorate. We have planted over 100,000 tree seedlings. The action has proved to be very popular. The number of its participants is growing every year and the planting area is expanding.
  https://vistula.edu.pl/en/news/plant-us-forest-good-will-vistula-group-universities-campaign-partner-project

• Webinar Zero waste – best practices of Polish universities in the field of environmental protection. The working group for university social responsibility organized an online webinar during which the experience of Polish universities in the field of environmental protection was presented.  The “zero waste” practices have been implemented in line with the idea of circular economy contributing to the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by universities and are a practical implementation of the University’s Declaration of Social Responsibility.
• From 2022, Vistula universities have been using solar energy. Photovoltaic panels have been installed on the roof of our main building. The investment allows us not only to save money, but also to reduce CO2 emissions.
  https://vistula.edu.pl/en/news/green-energy-at-vistulas-universities
• Vistula University students are young people who are sensitive to the environment. The action of cleaning parks and green areas in the Ursynów district, which took place on May the 13th, was a real success. The event was organized by the Club Centre and our fantastic students took part in it. Cleaning parks and green areas is an extremely useful activity benefiting the entire Ursynów district community and the natural environment in accordance with the principle “act locally, think globally”. https://vistula.edu.pl/en/news/young-people-sensitive-to-the-environment

• Our students’ diploma theses are submitted only in an electronic form. This means a huge saving of paper, and therefore also trees. The carbon footprint is smaller.
• In September 1, 2019, strict waste segregation rules were implemented on our campus. There are no trash bins in rooms and lecture halls. We make sure that our community members use double-sided printing. We also recommend using paper or glass cups at the University – on our campus, water is available in glass bottles.
• Our Architecture students have prepared 20 green zone designs at our campus. The green zones are meant to provide space for not only for relaxation, but also for outdoor activities.
  https://vistula.edu.pl/en/news/green-relaxation-zone-on-the-campus-of-vistula-university
• Vistula Universities have received a green energy certificate. AXPO, the company that supplies us with electricity, guarantees that 100 percent of the energy we use in 2024 will come from renewable sources. Thus, we join the group of conscious and responsible energy consumers.
  

The issues related to the UN Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact are reflected not only in our mission, vision and values, but also in our philosophy and culture of education. Vistula University implements the ESG activities, i.e. in the field of environmental protection, social responsibility and corporate governance.

Managing the University involves values and sharing achievements and good practices. Vistula University engages its academic community in the issues of social responsibility and human rights. Our University’s activities in such areas as: equal pay for the same positions regardless of gender and other factors, observing employee rights, data security and protection, occupational health and safety, social inclusivity, counteracting mobbing, combating inequalities or relations with suppliers are based on the principles of social responsibility. We promote equal treatment of employees and students, regardless of gender, origin or sexual orientation. We invest in human capital, we care about the psychophysical well-being of employees and students. We encourage our University community to undertake volunteer activities. We meet the needs of University stakeholders and care for relations with the local community. As part of the University’s social responsibility, we undertake activities that integrate various environments and sectors and support the development of innovation.

Social, community involvement is an important element that strengthens trust in the University, it is also of key importance for building its social position.

• Vistula University supports new students by enabling young people to pursue their ambitions and dreams in a safe and multicultural environment. We hope that new students will enrich our community and take the opportunity to study at our Universities. The Orientation Day is an opportunity to learn details about the requirements and rules regarding submission of your future works. It is a good opportunity to learn the crucial rules and procedures governing the students’ life. https://vistula.edu.pl/en/news/orientation-day-2023
• Vistula University organized the International Human Rights Day on the campus. It is celebrated to emphasise the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, signed on December 10, 1948. It has become a landmark document that proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone enjoys as a human being – regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, language, political opinion, national or social background, property, birth, or other status. It is worth remembering, however, that human rights are given, but also sometimes abused, so, in every generation they must be protected, talked about, and upheld. The extent to which the rights arising from the Declaration are guaranteed, depends on the international community and individual states. The UNAP programme: “Human Rights: Active Citizen” has laid the plans for a special event on human rights and the related opportunities and threats of the 21st century. https://vistula.edu.pl/en/news/international-human-rights-day-in-vistula-lets-celebrate-together-with-the-united-nations-association-in-poland
• Series of webinars prepared by the Career and Internships Department: The Career and Internships Department prepared webinars in both Polish and English about the changes in the recruitment techniques and requirements for job seekers. Soft skills are key to gaining success in the labour market, enabling students to successfully complete professional tasks and solve problems. Currently, the recruiters are seeking candidates who are aware of their strengths and want to enhance their personal develop and meet the company goals.  https://vistula.edu.pl/en/news/develop-your-competences-with-us-series-of-webinars-prepared-by-the-careers-and-practices-department
• Vistula University may have just initiated a global trend of using artificial intelligence, in assessing the quality of classes conducted at universities. The world’s first implementation of such a system is currently underway at Vistula. It has been developed by our outstanding scientists – Prof. Krzysztof Rybiński and Elżbieta Kopciuszewska, PhD. https://vistula.edu.pl/en/news/will-artificial-intelligence-revolutionise-the-assessment-of-the-quality-of-classes-in-universities
• Vistula University has taken up patronage of the 9th edition of the prestigious conference: “Executive Innovation Forum”. The event is organised by the Executive Club – a business club associating the management staff of Polish and foreign companies. The conference is a unique platform gathering a group of experts who, through creative discussion, exchange of views and experiences, try to set new development paths in a dynamically changing economy. Discussions relate to company management strategies, leadership, digital transformation, implementation of new technologies as well as defining the trends that shape the modern economy.https://vistula.edu.pl/en/news/executive-innovation-forum

• An important element of Vistula University’s activities in the area of social responsibility and sustainable development is cooperation with the United Nations Association in Poland (UNAP). It allows students to engage in many initiatives that foster community building, openness and social sensitivity. This is crucial in the education of future elites.
  https://vistula.edu.pl/en/news/co-operation-between-una-poland-and-vistula-universities
• The Vistula Group of Universities is an institutional partner of European Economic Congresses – the largest business event in Central and Eastern Europe (XIII and XIV editions) on challenges in the area of sustainability. With over a hundred debates on current economic issues, over a dozen thematic streams and sessions were held as part of the European Tech and Start-up Days. The European Economic Congress in Katowice provides a forum for debate on the future of the European and Polish economies. During the events participate EU commissioners, Representatives of European governments, Presidents of the largest companies, Scientists, and Practitioners. https://vistula.edu.pl/en/news/the-vistula-group-of-universities-is-an-institutional-partner-of-the-13th-european-economic-congress) https://vistula.edu.pl/en/news/vistula-group-of-universities-is-an-institutional-partner-of-the-14th-european-economic-congress

• Our University participates in the EQUATION project, which is coordinated by CEEMAN and financed from the Erasmus+ programme. Apart from Vistula University, other participants include: Bled School of Management, WSB and Riga Technical University. The EQUATION project is aimed at the equalization of opportunities for men and women in higher education – especially in management and business schools. The program will allow to develop tools and training for universities, accrediting institutions and their employees, so that they are better prepared to act towards reducing gender differences, which will lead to lasting cultural and institutional changes.
• As part of engaging the academic community in activities for world peace and human rights, the University organizes international conferences following the UN model. In the present edition, an English-language conference War in Ukraine was held as part of  workshops within the “Negotiations” and “International negotiations” courses. Students played the roles of delegates of the UN member states or international and non-governmental organizations, presenting their positions. During the debate, they negotiated and voted on a resolution on the war in Ukraine.
  https://vistula.edu.pl/en/news/war-in-ukraine-simulation-of-a-un-conference 

• Actions for social responsibility and human rights are part of the debate “Draft Act on Civil Protection and the State of Natural Disaster as a Challenge for Civil Society” organized at Vistula University. The draft act and the adopted solutions raise a lot of controversy. Doubts of a constitutional nature were raised during public consultations. The participants of the debate undertook to identify the challenges and threats related to the implementation of this law and the manner of its proceeding. They indicated that the draft introduces, among others, quasi extraordinary measures, such as a state of emergency and a state of alert. They gave a negative opinion on the limitation of self-government independence and the broad powers of the Prime Minister to suspend the bodies of local government units.

• Since 2018, Vistula University has been a social partner of the “Dobra Wola” Association of People with Disabilities. The organization supports the building of the “Farma Dobrej Woli” centre, which is an ecological and intelligent centre equipped with the latest technologies and intended to provide assistance to people with disabilities whose parents, due to old age or illness, are no longer able to provide them with comprehensive care.
  https://vistula.edu.pl/en/news/the-goodwill-farm-will-be-established-vistula-university-is-a-social-partner-of-the-project
• The Economic Forum in Karpacz is the largest meetings platform in Central and Eastern Europe, where not only security, prospects for economic development, contemporary challenges, and overcoming crises are discussed, but also specific solutions and innovative ideas are presented.The international dimension of the Economic Forum offers an opportunity to replace stereotypes with facts, and to shape opinions on the basis of a substantive exchange of views. https://vistula.edu.pl/en/news/is-liberalism-over-debate-with-the-participation-of-prof-wawrzyniec-konarski
• Vistula University has launched a programme called ‘Academic Teacher’s Student Assistant (SANA)’. The aim of the program is, among others, to increase students’ the motivation to gain knowledge, as well as to support exceptionally gifted students and provide them with new development opportunities. The idea behind the project is to strengthen the students’ research environment, increase students’ involvement in research and teaching activities, promote the community dimension of the university, and prepare students to undertake research and teaching work in their professional lives in line with the sustainable development principles. https://vistula.edu.pl/en/news/student-assistant-of-an-academic-teacher
• “Self-Management, Entrepreneurial Culture, and Economy 4.0. A Contemporary Approach to Organizational Theory Development”. The renowned publishing house, Routledge Studies in Management, Organizations, and Society, part of the Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, published a book which was edited by excellent lecturers from Vistula University, Elżbieta Jędrych, Ph.D., and Prof. Zbigniew Olesiński, PhD., supported by Agnieszka Rzepka, PhD. ’Self-Management, Entrepreneurial Culture, and Economy 4.0. A Contemporary Approach to Organisational Theory Development’, was created as a result of research in six countries: Poland, the USA, Great Britain, Georgia, India, and Hungary. It presents the evolution of self-management and entrepreneurial culture in the era of economy 4.0. https://vistula.edu.pl/en/news/self-management-entrepreneurial-culture-and-economy-4-0-a-contemporary-approach-to-organizational-theory-development
• Vistula University and the Polish Institute for Human Rights and Business invite you to participate in an international conference Business & Human Rights in CEE & Central Asia. What’s next? The event, will be held in English, partially translated into Russian, takes place on June 1-2 this year at Vistula University. The Polish Institute for Human Rights and Business is an apolitical and independent non-profit foundation that works towards raising respect for human rights and propagating the principles of sustainable development in the context of responsible business. https://vistula.edu.pl/en/news/business-human-rights-in-cee-central-asia-whats-next

• As part of their courses, our Architecture students have been involved in creating the concept of revitalizing a historic village of Orla in Podlasie. The point is to make it more attractive to residents and tourists. The students’ works may be used, for example, to create land development plans around the Municipal Cultural Centre or to expose the recently discovered foundations of the former Radziwiłł family residence.

The issues related to the UN Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact are reflected not only in our mission, vision and values, but also in our philosophy and culture of education. Vistula University implements the ESG activities, i.e. in the field of environmental protection, social responsibility and corporate governance.

Vistula University acts towards transparency in providing information about its organizational structure, competences of employees and board members, about its professed values and observed standards, codes and rules of conduct, certificates and the implementation of international norms and standards. In its activities, our University takes into account such issues as: tax transparency, executive staff remuneration transparency, counteracting corruption and bribery. We constantly monitor and evaluate the implementation of the principles of social responsibility at our University.

• Vistula University is part of the elite group of institutions entitled to use the HR Excellence in Research title and logo. This prestigious distinction is awarded by the European Commission to institutions that provide researchers with the best working conditions and guarantee: transparent recruitment process, stability of employment, career development opportunities, substantive and financial support for research projects. Based on the Rector’s Order of 2019, the HR Excellence in Research Board was established at the University. It is a team of employees whose goal is to initiate and implement activities at the University that create the best working conditions for research and research and didactic staff and provide adequate space for the development of science, in accordance with European standards.
  https://vistula.edu.pl/en/science-and-research/hr-excellence-in-research
• The webinar “Social responsibility of universities after the COVID-19 pandemic” was devoted to the role of the University’s social responsibility in counteracting the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and the areas of support for internal and external University stakeholders in the current conditions of social isolation. Members of the Working Group and invited guests presented possible scenarios for the development of the concept of social responsibility of the University as a result of current experience related to managing the University under the conditions of the Pandemic and ensuring the effective implementation of educational and scientific activities. The webinar provided an opportunity to discuss further development of the mission of Polish universities in response to current socio-economic expectations, but also directions of public policy in the field of higher education development.
• The webinar “Social responsibility of Polish universities through the eyes of internal stakeholders” was an opportunity to inaugurate the report presenting the results of the diagnosis of the implementation of social responsibility of universities, and it allowed to get acquainted with the voice of university stakeholders on the challenges faced by Polish universities in the implementation of the idea of social responsibility.
• The Faculty of Business and International Relations of Vistula University has been awarded the international institutional accreditation – CEEMAN International Quality Accreditation. It is one of the most prestigious and respected international accreditations in the field of management education. CEEMAN IQA accreditation is granted to business schools and universities that provide education in the field of management. As part of the accreditation process the following aspects are assessed: the mission and strategy of development, management, creation, and transfer of knowledge, resources, adaptation of the education offer to market needs, innovation in education, impact on the environment, relations with the business environment, internationalisation and commitment to responsible practices. https://vistula.edu.pl/en/news/vistula-university-awarded-with-the-international-ceeman-iqa-accreditation
• Webinar on “Organization of the university’s activities in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Social Responsibility of the University, organized by the Working Group for Social Responsibility of Universities devoted to discussion and exchange of experiences on the organization of university activities in accordance with the principles of the SOU Declaration.
• Webinar on “Current trends in the development of responsible business standards” devoted to social responsibility. The standards of responsible business and the planned regulations, which were discussed during the webinar, will help shape the relationship between the university and an important stakeholder, namely with business. Knowledge of current trends in corporate social responsibility is also an important element of education and shaping leaders of change for sustainable development.
• Vistula University and the Vistula School of Hospitality have joined the UN Global Compact – an important initiative bringing together sustainable business. Since its establishment in 2000 by the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the UN Global Compact has been working for the environment, human rights, preventing corruption and decent and legal work. Joining the Initiative by Vistula University proves our strategic approach to sustainable development. The UN Global Compact is a leading platform for sharing knowledge and experience as well as promoting corporate social responsibility. By engaging in the work of the Initiative, Vistula Universities have committed to comply with the 10 principles of the UN Global Compact.
  https://vistula.edu.pl/en/news/vistula-universities-became-members-of-the-un-global-compact

• Our University provides its employees with knowledge about sustainable development and acts towards raising their awareness in this area. Towards this end, it organized a symposium “Inclusive approach of Sustainability Development of Higher Educations Institutions (HEIs)”. The plenary session “The Role and Practical Significance of Sustainable Development for Vistula University” was attended by representatives of the Vistula University management, including the rector, vice-rectors, deans, vice-deans, directors of education programs, directors of scientific institutes and directors of organizational units.

• Vistula University invites interesting guests involved in the promotion of sustainable development. One of them was John Busuttil, Director of UN Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta. The country is trying to actively participate in various UN bodies. It constantly upholds the importance of promoting international cooperation, firmly believing that global problems require global solutions that can only be achieved through active cooperation and dialogue. Acting towards the promotion of sustainable development, it undertakes numerous efforts in the area of climate protection, aging societies and for the act on the management of seas and oceans.
  https://vistula.edu.pl/en/news/maltas-role-in-the-united-nations

• 2023 – PRME report (under development).
• 2022 – Report Diagnosis of the implementation of the University social responsibility
• 2022 – The role and practical significance of sustainable development for Vistula University.
• 2020 – PRME Report.