When my teammates and I first signed up for the Eyes of the Future Competition, an interactive game created by Utrecht University, we were excited to dive into a fresh way of learning about sustainability. Little did we know, we’d be racing across Durham, tackling creative mini-challenges in an experience that felt more like a fun adventure than a competition.
We started by creating our Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) profiles with a survey to define our values. After quick “nano talks” on SDGs, we hit the streets. The tasks sparked creativity, on-the-spot thinking and community engagement as we explored the city. Completing tasks and earning likes unlocked even more challenges. We uploaded pictures finishing each task, linking them to three SDGs.
Our experience
For 2.5 hours, we raced through Durham, luckily on a cloudy-sunny day instead of the usual drizzle, thinking on our feet as we tackled each challenge. To give you an idea of the variety: one task had us “perform effective climate action,” so we grabbed an empty sandwich box (courtesy of George’s lunch) and collected litter around the city centre, sorting and binning it properly. A small act, but it made us realise just how much waste piles up in public spaces.
Another challenge, “Ask a restaurant or store owner a question,” led us to a local gift shop to ask about their sustainability efforts. The owner shared how they support small producers, reduce plastic use, and minimise packaging, giving us insight into the thought process behind eco-friendly business choices.
Other tasks kept things lively, from getting two strangers to debate the pros and cons of windmills to reimagining a plot of land for non-human species, putting on a street performance, or even asking a child about their future plans. We definitely got some curious looks from passers-by and had a few moments of second-hand embarrassment, but the game pushed us out of our comfort zones, and honestly, that was half the fun.
Shared global experience
The whole experience wasn’t just about competing, it was about collaborating with students from across Europe who shared the same goal. Seeing how different teams tackled the same challenges gave us fresh perspectives and kept us entertained when we needed a break. We interacted with each other’s uploads, and the most liked challenges earned ‘Golden Flags’, we bagged three!
At the end of the competition, all the teams gathered virtually for a meet-up, each from their respective university’s conference rooms, sympathising with one another as we were all equally tired. It was a chance to reflect on our experiences. Even though we were miles apart, the shared energy of the event made it feel like we were all in it together, learning from one another. It was fun to hear about the local snacks everyone was enjoying. Though our team didn’t win, we loved every minute of it!
Beyond the Game
If you’re looking to dive into something meaningful at Durham, there are plenty of ways to start. Join college and university societies to meet like-minded people who genuinely care and are eager to make a difference, engage in community projects, attend discussions, volunteer, or simply show up for talks. Even reaching out to a professor or diving into the library’s vast resources can open new doors, there’s always an opportunity to learn.
For now, we’re very excited to meet the winning teams- ‘EnviroTeam’ from Romania and ‘Wet Zero’ from Norway, when they join us for the Coimbra Climate Symposium in Durham. It’s the perfect chance to connect in person and keep the momentum going!
Discover more
Feeling inspired? Take a look at our courses Department of Anthropology
Download our latest prospectus and college guide here.
Follow The Durham Student on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
