ECGIC 2024

I I I Economy for The Common Good International Conference

Converging Future-Fit Economic Models: Advancing Just and Sustainable Regions

June 3-5
Leeuwarden, Fryslân, The Netherlands

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We look forward to welcoming you to the third edition of the Economy for the Common Good International Conference, this time in the beautiful Leeuwarden!

During three engaging days, we will discuss the most impactful future-fit economic models, learn from successful sustainable practices and tackle the question: “How can regions leverage a multi-stakeholder perspective to shift from quantitative GDP-led growth towards sustainable growth of their non-monetary ‘area capital’?”

Together, we will develop a manifesto containing concrete steps that can be taken by businesses, governments and civil organizations to future-proof their regional economics, complementing the ideas of the recent Beyond Growth 2023 conference by providing more tangible insights.

Speaker: Niels Faber

Professor Faber will focus on the necessity of shaping a new vision on value to form a sustainable society at ECGIC 2024!
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Our first Sponsor is aboard: OeAD student housing

OeAD student housing is a non-profit provider of student accommodation in Austria.
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Speaker: Cees Buisman

Professor Buisman will share his vision on the future and what role we as individuals can contribute at ECGIC 2024!
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Speaker: Matthias Olthaar

Professor Olthaar will share his research and vision on the future of economy at ECGIC 2024!
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Speaker: Bas van Bavel

Professor van Bavel will share his insights into historic market development and failure at ECGIC 2024!
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Speaker: Lisa Herzog

Professor Herzog will share her international research from Groningen University at ECGIC 2024!
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Speaker: Christian Felber

The founder of the Economy for the Common Good will give a keynote at ECGIC 2024!
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Call for Abstracts online!

We are looking for scientific and case abstracts about our exciting topics. Read more in the full Call for Abstracts
Submission

Registration

Already thrilled by our program and speakers?
The early bird gets the worm; get 3-day tickets to the event at a discount until the end of January 2024!

Student

100
50 Until 31.01.24
  • including 21% tax
Early Bird

ECG Member

500
350 Until 31.01.24
  • including 21% tax
Early Bird

Regular

650
500 Until 31.01.24
  • including 21% tax
Early Bird

Submission

We invite academics, businessmen, representatives of public organizations and associations to share their knowledge and experience in the implementation of one of the sustainable economic models.
Contributing topics include, but are not limited to:

The reviewing process consists of two successive stages.
The poster and oral presentations will be granted based on the accepted abstracts.

Important dates:

  • Abstract submission deadline 12.12.23
  • Announcement of accepted abstracts 19.01.24
  • Full submission deadline 25.03.24
  • Announcement of accepted papers 15.04.24

Scientific Abstract

Please choose the "scientific abstract" category in the submission form if your writing is based on research findings.

Case Abstract

Please choose the "case abstract" category in the submission form if you are not affiliated with a research organization and want to share your practical experience.

Program

Day 1 - Science

We will delve into contemporary theory on circular economic models, sustainable management practices, and alternatives to GDP, promoting an active space for the exchange of ideas.

Day 2 - Practice

By incorporating case studies and practical experiences from various fields on the implementation of sustainable business practices, we want to facilitate an environment that encourages best practice sharing.

Day 3 - Convergence

These two aspects can be bridged towards policy formation, where the interaction between theory and practice is translated into policy requirements in practical and lively workshop formats.

Speakers

Christian Felber

Christian Felber is a writer, university lecturer and contemporary dancer in Vienna. He is the initiator of the “Economy for the Common Good“ and the “Cooperative for the Common Good“. He is also the author of several bestsellers, including “Change everything. Creating an Economy for the Common Good“ and “Money. The new rules of the game“, which was awarded the getAbstract International Book Award 2014. The “Economy for the Common Good” received the ZEIT-Wissen Award in 2017 and made it 2021 to the SPIEGEL bestseller list.

Lisa Herzog

Lisa Herzog is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Groningen, Netherlands. She has a background in economic and philosophy, holds a doctorate in political theory from the University of Oxford, and has worked at universities in Germany, the UK, Switzerland and the US. Her research focusses on the intersection of economic, political, and philosophical thought. She has worked on philosophical approaches to markets, economic justice, organizational ethics, and workplace democracy. Her current research focusses on the future of work and democracy, sustainable work, and the question of how to democratize the economic system.

Bas van Bavel ECGIC 2024 Speaker

Bas van Bavel

Bas van Bavel (Breda, 1964) is trained as a historian, specialized in economic and social history and is currently a distinguished University Professor of Utrecht University. Through his research, he aims to understand how societies develop in the long run and explain the striking differences we observe in their developmental paths. Why are some societal arrangements successful - economically, but also in terms of social aspects, resilience to hazards, and ecological sustainability - and others not, and what drives the formation of these arrangements? He uses long-run developments as a way to test hypotheses on these issues.

Matthias Olthaar

Matthias Olthaar, PhD, is working as applied sciences professor at NHL Stenden University. His research is on postgrowth economics, sufficiency-driven business models and circular supply chain management. He is cofounder of the Dutch Postgrowth institute ‘Postgroei Nederland’ and co-authored scientific articles, books, and other publications on this topic. He is columnist for the Frisian newspaper and involved in innovation committees and national policy making. Increasingly scientists advocate limits to economic growth for the world’s most prosperous countries. In his keynote speech Professor Dr. Matthias Olthaar will explain how we can transition towards an economy within the carrying capacity of Earth and human beings whilst maintaining a good life and healthy government finances. Different policy measures will be discussed, including implementation methods and outcomes. In addition he demonstrates that a postgrowth economy may deviate from a focus on quantitative (GDP-led) growth, but yet creates more space and time for qualitative growth.

Cees Buisman

Professor Buisman, a graduate of Wageningen University, joined Paques BV in 1990, specialising in business development and innovation. In 2003, he took up a professorship at Wageningen University with a focus on biological resource recovery technology. He is co-founder and board member of Wetsus, the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology. Buisman's global contributions include the development of various environmental technologies. He is a fellow of the Netherlands Academy of Engineering and in 2018 authored "Humanity is not a Plaque". His keynote will argue that relying on innovation alone will not keep humanity within safe planetary boundaries. His presentation will explore how we can design a world that respects these planetary boundaries, urging us to introspect and transform. He emphasises that our discussions need to move beyond scientific and systemic jargon to embrace the vital concepts of collaboration and self-improvement. He seeks coherent, safe innovations that promote a just and sustainable world, a world we really want to live in.

Niels Faber

Niels Faber is professor of circular economy at the Hanze University of Applied Sciences and assistant professor circular entrepreneurship at the University of Groningen. His research focuses on organizational aspects of sustainability and circular economy, in particular on sustainable and circular business models, and the ensuing transition and assessment of the progress made towards a circular economy. He is board member of the international conference on New Business Models. He published numerous papers and books. Recently, Niels co-edited the book Organizing for Sustainability (Palgrave-MacMillan) and De Gruyter Handbook of Sustainable Entrepreneurship Research (De Gruyter). In his keynote speech Niels Faber will focus on the necessity for shaping a new perspective on value as precondition to realising a circular economy and sustainable society. He will show now current perceptions of value stand in the way of this transition and sketch the contours for a collective exploration of new directions.

About ECGIC 2024

The conference will address the requirements that sustainable economic models should fulfill, along with a potential non-monetary alternative to GDP for building sustainable regions from the ground up.
The requirements are as follows:

These requirements form the ESD framework (Environmental Sustainability | Social Sustainability | Strengthened Democracy). The intention is to solicit contributions in scientific and practical domains (case studies) that consider the ESD framework for sustainable economic models and an alternative to GDP.  

Why attend?

A sustainable economy demands us to rethink economic models to fit planetary boundaries and stimulate just conditions across regions. Together we can generate a space that stimulates the exchange of information and best practice on how to achieve this and accelerate this transition.

GDP is a financial tool and is limiting in what it can communicate regarding well-being and fairness. In this conference you will get insights in what other more representative indicators could be applied instead.

This Conference is your chance to meet leading experts in Future-Fit Economic Models and broaden your network by getting to know other actors in this space.

A variety of cases will be demonstrated at this conference, during the organized sessions you will obtain insights into theory and sustainable practices that you may be able to put into effect.

By visiting Leeuwarden, capital of the beautiful province of Fryslân, you will visit the happiest region in one of the happiest countries in the world: the Netherlands. This is true, even though on average the financial prosperity of Fryslân is the lowest in the country. This is better known as the Frisian Paradox. Although socio-economic factors and wellbeing are often positively related, this shows that GDP or income on their own are not suitable benchmarks to determine quality of life. Visit ECGIC 2024 and experience Fryslân yourself!

Committees

Scientific committee

Organizing committee

Steering committee

Past Events

I ECGIC - Bremen

"A Common Narrative for a Pluralist World" - 2019

II ECGIC - Valencia

"Connecting Sustainability Organizational Models with SDGs" - 2022

Sponsors

 

Do you want to support ECGIC 2024?

The conference will be held at the city theatre “De Harmonie”, one of the largest theatres in The Netherlands. From solar panels on the roof to conscious use of water and electricity, from fair trade coffee to the use of local products at the restaurant, De Harmonie holds strong values concerning sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Accommodation

Book your stay for this event at one of Leeuwarden’s beautiful hotels, most of them within a walking distance from De Harmonie.

Travel

There are multiple ways in which you can travel to Leeuwarden. From the airports of Amsterdam or Eindhoven it will take respectively 2 and 3 hours to travel to Leeuwarden by either car or train. You can plan your trip and check the current travel times and detailed information at 9292.nl or the 9292 mobile application.

Contact

ECGIC2024@wetsus.nl

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