Event:The 2nd international conference on economic degrowth for ecological sustainability and social equity

From Wikiprogress.org

Thirty years ago, Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen published a book in French (edited by Jacques Grinevald and Ivo Rens) with the title “Demain la Décroissance” (Degrowth Tomorrow) (1979). We say, “Aujourd’hui la Décroissance” (Degrowth today). The economic crisis of 2008-09 brings a new perspective. Economic degrowth can be good for the environment but it must be socially sustainable. 

The 2nd international conference on economic degrowth for ecological sustainability and social equity that will take place in Barcelona follows from the first international conference (Paris, April 2008, events.it-sudparis.eu/degrowthconference/en/), that took place with the support of the European Society for Ecological Economics, Club of Rome (Brussels/Europe), Telecom Sud-Paris and SERI (Sustainable Europe Research Institute) and was attended by 150 participants, involving presentations by some 90 scientists (see the declaration of the conference).

The second international conference on degrowth will develop clear policy proposals and strategies for action on degrowth and define the key open questions and research agenda. The conference will foster interaction between participants and put emphasis on the development of cooperative research.

This conference will follow a novel format. It will include selected keynote speeches and roundtables by distinguished degrowth scholars. The conference will however mainly be based on paper presentations with oral sessions, posters and working groups.

Commissioned steering papers from experts will be discussed in working groups and assembly meetings. The goal is to come up with concrete proposals for policy and action and with a research agenda for degrowth.

What is degrowth?

Degrowth carries the idea of a voluntary reduction of the size of the economic system, which implies a reduction of the GDP.

However degrowth is not simply about challenging the centrality of GDP as the overarching policy objective but proposes a framework for transformation to a lower and sustainable level and mode of production and consumption.

Degrowth is about finding a path or a transition to social justice, well being and ecological sustainability. It involves a range of actions at the individual and collective level based on a change of values and democratization of societies.

Degrowth is about people rather than technology deciding on the direction of societal evolution. It is also about giving meaning to human life which is not per se associated with conspicuous consumption and materialism.

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