Welcome to the Austrian UNESCO Chairs' thought-provoking exchange, hosted by the Austrian UNESCO Commission in Vienna. Set in the historical ambiance of the reading room at the Josephinum Medical History Museum, this venue adds an intriguing contrast to the discussions on future challenges. Austria currently boasts 12 UNESCO Chairs, representing diverse universities and a wide array of scientific disciplines. The homepage of the Austrian UNESCO Commission provides an overview of all Chairs in the country. Chairs are dedicated to topics including innovation and entrepreneurship, human rights, integrated river management, bioethics and future design.

The UNESCO Chairs Programme, initiated in 1992, aims to embed UNESCO's focus topics within universities. It promotes research, education, and the development of higher education institutions by fostering university networks and cross-border cooperation. Currently, the programme includes around 950 chairs and 45 university networks in 120 countries worldwide. Notably, the UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Management of Conservation Areas at Carinthia University of Applied Sciences has been established for four years and is undergoing evaluation this year.