Conference Agenda

This semi-plenary delves into the imperatives of emancipation and courage for realizing sustainability transformations. Building on the opening plenary which underscores the profound depth and magnitude of required sustainability transformations, we recognize the need for integrating values into governance, including eco- and biocentric values as well as the need to reconfigure economies towards just and equitable relationships. Realizing such emancipation requires courage.

During this semi-plenary, we will consider the drive for emancipation and the need for courage, particularly within civil society and academia. This engaging panel discussion will showcase prominent scientists and practitioners as they delve into the essential factors of emancipation and courage that propel sustainability transformations forward.

Panelists

Dr. Marjan Smeulders, Radboud University

Marjan Smeulders is a microbiologist studying the adaptation of bacteria to changes in their environment, with the aim to apply bacteria effectively and with reduced environmental impact in e.g. wastewater treatment. Marjan is also a climate activist within Scientists4Future NL and Scientist Rebellion NL.

Dr Smeulders, M.J. (Marjan)

Radboud University

Yunia Musaazi, Executive Director UWASNET

Yunia Musaazi serves as Executive Director of the Uganda Water & Sanitation Network. UWASNET was founded in 2000 by different Sector Development Partners as the umbrella organization for over 200 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) operating in the Water and Sanitation sub-sector in Uganda.

UWASNET – Uganda Water and Sanitation NGO Network

Klaas Kuitenbrouwer, Director The Zoönomic Institute, Researcher at Het Nieuwe Instituut

The Zoönomic Institute is the driving force behind the Zoöp movement. Zoöp is an organisation model for cooperation between human and other-than-human life that safeguards the interests of all life. Zoöp makes the interests of other-than-human life part of organisational decision making, by installing a so-called Speaker for the Living as advisor, teacher and board observer in the organisation.

Zoöp

Nieuwe Instituut

Klaas Kuitenbrouwer is a researcher, curator, educator. He studied History at the University of Utrecht. He is Senior Researcher at het Nieuwe Instituut in Rotterdam, where he makes public programs at thematic crossroads of culture, technology and ecology, with a special focus on the intersection of knowledge practices. In 2018 he initiated the Zoöp project at het Nieuwe Instituut, which chose to become the first Zoöp in the world in 2022.