American University of Beirut

ESDU is excited to introduce the CORUSUS project, a collaborative initiative aimed at addressing the sustainability of rural livelihoods in South Africa, Kyrgyzstan, and Lebanon. Rural environments play a vital role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals related to poverty, food security, and sustainable natural resource use. Through CORUSUS, we are fostering cooperation and knowledge sharing among faculty and students of partner institutions, namely Central European University (CEU), University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), American University of Central Asia (AUCA), and American University of Beirut (AUB). This project not only strengthens teaching, learning, and research on rural sustainability but also promotes formal partnerships and inspires similar initiatives among other institutions associated with the Open Society University Network (OSUN).

The primary purpose of the CORUSUS program is to enhance dialogue and collaboration between faculty and students from CEU, Wits, AUCA, and AUB, with a specific focus on addressing rural sustainability challenges in diverse geographical contexts. By leveraging the expertise and experiences of partner institutions, CORUSUS enriches the teaching and research portfolios of all involved. CEU's existing work on rural sustainability is reinforced, while Wits, AUCA, and AUB benefit from the perspectives and knowledge of CEU faculty and students. The program's objectives include the development of rural sustainability curricula, promotion of student exchange for interdisciplinary co-learning, integration of targeted internships, implementation of comparative research, and the establishment of sustainable partnerships between OSUN institutions.

The need for the CORUSUS program arises from the prediction that urbanization will continue to erode rural populations, posing challenges to rural sustainability. However, viable and well-functioning rural areas are crucial for preserving ecosystem goods and services, adapting to climate change, and addressing societal challenges. Rural environments require specific understanding, skills, and tools due to their unique characteristics such as low population density, political influence, infrastructure limitations, and distinct social structures. Institutions of higher education specializing in agriculture, conservation, and socio-ecological systems, like the CORUSUS partners, have a significant role to play in promoting rural sustainability. By strategically linking OSUN partners, the program aims to equip students and faculty with the necessary knowledge and skills to implement sustainable practices and devise innovative solutions to emerging sustainability challenges.

The CORUSUS program aligns with OSUN's core priorities by integrating curricula, teaching, and research across partner institutions, expanding civic engagement, and increasing access to higher education. It promotes integration and co-learning between CEU, Wits, AUCA, and AUB, strengthening partnerships in sustainable development. Faculty and students from the partner universities collaborate to develop a context-specific course on rural sustainability, fostering transferability across institutions. The program also facilitates academic exchanges, allowing European/North universities to gain practical experience in rural community development in developing countries and providing students and researchers from the Global South with access to expertise and opportunities in conservation and rural livelihoods. Moreover, CORUSUS gives a voice to academics and rural residents from the South in global discussions on sustainable development.

CORUSUS builds upon previous informal collaborations between Wits and CEU in South Africa, expanding the focus and quality of existing internships and maintaining active relationships with rural communities. While the collaboration with AUCA and AUB is relatively new, the partners recognize the value of strengthening ties based on shared institutional missions and work. The project leverages the outcomes of the Ethnoecology course at CEU and establishes a common thematic research agenda, fostering deeper understanding of the challenges faced by rural communities and exploring pathways for sustainable development.

The program promotes integration and collaboration among network partners through various activities conducted over the course of several years. These activities include faculty and student exchanges, research and engagement with rural communities, cross-site comparative research, development of a transferable

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