Conference cycle autumn/winter 2024/25: Tackling the climate and biodiversity crises consistently and in a socially just way: What are the prerequisites for this?

We need a so-called ‘social-ecological’ transition, because the current economic and social model, based on economic growth, is not sustainable in the future, with all its destructive consequences for people and the environment. However, our social model is increasingly coming under fire because it often does not focus on people’s well-being and social problems, such as the gap between rich and poor, are increasing.

 

Climate and biodiversity protection can only succeed if we move away from isolated individual measures and towards a new social and economic model. But what are the prerequisites for this?

 

A conference series organised by Mouvement Ecologique in autumn/winter 2024/2025 will examine the necessary socio-ecological transition from different perspectives and points of view. With the exception of Jason Hickel’s lecture, no detailed proposals for the different areas of sustainable development (biodiversity protection, energy and mobility transition…) will be presented, but rather the general prerequisites for a transformation will be examined: on the part of the individual, society, the state or politics.

 

Get inspired and discuss together, how the transition can succeed is perhaps just more important than ever these days.

 

Scientists, journalists and other committed social actors will have their say. The speakers represent quite different points of view. While some tend to emphasise the individual responsibility of the individual, others suggest structural reforms or see the obligation as lying primarily with ‘elites’. While some already point out more concrete solutions, others would rather encourage reflection.

 

Internationally recognised speakers have been secured for the conference series. In any case, the various lectures are likely to provide sufficient material for discussion. Therefore, each conference will be followed by an exchange with the audience and a drinks reception.

 

 

After the conference series itself, all interested parties will be invited to a casual discussion round about the insights gained. To receive an invitation to this, please register using the corresponding form, which will be available at the conferences, or send an email to:  meco@oeko.lu.

 

 

PROGRAMME:

 

“Less is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World” – Less is more: Why capitalism is destroying the planet and we are happier without growth
Conference with anthropologist Jason Hickel (The original language of the conference is English. A translation into German is guaranteed)
Monday, 16th December 2024 at 8:00 p.m., Hotel Parc Belle-Vue, 5, av. Marie Thérèse, Luxembourg

 

Online conference Emotion-filled discussions – an opportunity to shape the future?
Prof. Dr Maren Urner is a neuroscientist and author, professor of sustainable transformation,  co-founder of Perspective Daily
Tuesday, 14th January 2025 at 8:00 p.m.,

 

Is society failing in the fight against climate change? What specific conclusions can be drawn from this?
Conference with Prof. Jens Beckert, Director of the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies
Wednesday, 5th February 2025 at 8:00 p.m., Hotel Parc Belle-Vue, 5, av. Marie Thérèse, Luxembourg

 

‘Pragmatic’ politics or democratic “revolution”: how can the transition succeed?
Conference with Bernd Ulrich, author and deputy editor-in-chief of “Die Zeit” until 2023
Thursday, 27th February 2025 at 8:00 p.m., Hotel Parc Belle-Vue, 5, av. Marie Thérèse, Luxembourg


How can we learn to want less without missing out on anything? Cultural change as a central lever for a sustainable future

Conference with Marcel Hunecke, Professor of General, Organisational and Environmental Psychology
Wednesday, 12th March 2025 at 8:00 p.m., Hotel Parc Belle-Vue, 5, av. Marie Thérèse, Luxembourg

 

‘How much is enough?”: Living well without jeopardising the foundations of life: the role of lifestyle
Conference with Dr Elisabeth Dütschke, expert at the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research
Expected date: Tuesday, 6th April 2025 at 8:00 p.m., Hotel Parc Belle-Vue, 5, av. Marie Thérèse, Luxembourg

 

 

Practical information:

Registration for all conferences is requested at meco@oeko.lu. This makes it easier for us to organize and helps us to inform you if any change would come. The lectures will also be filmed and published on the Mouvement Ecologique website (meco.lu). Translation into English is ensured (but will no longer be available online).

 

You can find the detailed programme as a PDF file in the downloads.

 

 

22.11.24