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
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
Our first Sponsor is aboard: OeAD student housing
Speaker: Cees Buisman
Speaker: Matthias Olthaar
Speaker: Bas van Bavel
Speaker: Lisa Herzog
Speaker: Christian Felber
Call for Abstracts online!
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!
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:
- Requirements of the successor of GDP
- GDP growth vs. “Economic growth, prosperity and thriving”
- New sustainable economic models
- Fair and sustainable water & energy systems
- Circular and Biobased Economy (intensive and circular use of raw materials)
- Regenerative natural systems (water, soil, air in balance for improved biodiversity)
- Positive health, care & agri-food systems
- Smart Technologies
- Leadership and spirituality
The reviewing process consists of two successive stages.
The poster and oral presentations will be granted based on the accepted abstracts.
Important dates:
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Abstract submission deadline 12.12.23
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Announcement of accepted abstracts 19.01.24
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Full submission deadline 25.03.24
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Announcement of accepted papers 15.04.24
Scientific Abstract
Case Abstract
Program
Day 1 - Science
Day 2 - Practice
Day 3 - Convergence
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
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:
- Environmental aspects; related to the planetary boundaries, the Earth Charter, and the Sustainable Development Goals 12-16.
- Social aspects; related to the remaining SDGs (except 8.1), the UNSocial Covenant, and recent well-being research.
- Democratic aspects, considering new concepts of citizen involvement, direct, participatory, and sovereign democracy.
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?
Exchange about Converging Future-Fit Economic Models
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.
Find an alternative to GDP
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.
Meet the Thought-Leaders of the Future-Fit Economic Models
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.
Learn how to implement sustainable practices and learn from each other
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.
Why Fryslân?
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
- Prof. Dr. Matthias Olthaar, NHL Stenden UAS, Co-Chair
- Prof. Dr. Egbert Dommerholt, Hanze UAS, Co-Chair
- Mag. Christian Felber, ECG Int.
- Prof. Dr. Niels Faber, Hanze UAS
- Drs. Elly Rijnierse, ECG NL
- Dr. Karidia Sanon, University of Ouagadougou
- Prof. Dr. Eveline van Leeuwen, Wageningen University
- Dr. Tatiana Ciff, NHL Stenden UAS
- Prof. Dr. Aleid Brouwer, Groningen University
- Prof. Dr. Leila Kebir, University of Lausanne
- Prof. Dr. Silvana Signori, University of Bergamo
- Dr. Kwabena Obiri-Yeboah, Takoradi Technical University of Ghana
- Prof. Dr. Swetketu Patnaik, Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge (UK)
- Prof. Dr. Michael Pirson, Fordham University
Organizing committee
- Dr. ir. Chris Schott, Wetsus, Chair
- Ir. Marija Gadzimuradova, Wetsus
- Lourens van Langeveld, Wetsus
- Irina Pozhidaeva, Wetsus
- Reinder Boomsma, Wetsus
- Hester Henstra, Wetsus
- Ir. Ragne Pärnamäe, Wetsus
- Dr. ir. Qingdian Shu, Wetsus
- Jurre Tjepkema, Wetsus
- Victoria Snouck Hurgronje, NHL Stenden UAS
- Dr. José Carlos Ramos, ECG Int.
Steering committee
- Prof. Dr. ir. Cees Buisman, Wetsus, Chair
- Dr. ir. Chris Schott, Wetsus
- Prof. Dr. Matthias Olthaar, NHL Stenden UAS
- Prof. Dr. Egbert Dommerholt, Hanze UAS
- Drs. Jacqueline Hofstede, ECG NL, Initiator
- Drs. Elly Rijnierse, ECG NL, Initiator
- Mag. Christian Felber, ECG Int.
- Dr. José Carlos Ramos, ECG Int.
Past Events
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.
