The Time is NOW: together towards a sustainable society, 6 March, 2024
A timely debate on the needed relationship between science and society
Early this year, Radboud university launched a provocative new communications campaign that forced reflection on the role of universities amidst increasing ecological tipping points. The campaign, “you have a part to play” asked if humans are to become an endangered species, how might that force a rethink on what we do in places of education?
But deciding to act and knowing how to act are two distinct and distant things. Fostering debate on how to make sustainability commitments actionable and meaningful is core to the work of the Radboud Centre for Sustainability Challenges. This is why we came together to write a “The Real Sustainability Challenges,” where we laid out a pathway to avoid the troubling trend of hollow calls to action in the name of sustainability:
What is promising about the campaign for the university is that is accompanied by a series of commitments and visions for how to begin this hard work. During the announcement of the campaign the University President of the Executive Board Daniël Wigboldus made a set of statements that indicated a turn towards new sustainability policies on campus. These included more sustainable food at the university, fostering biodiversity on campus, and support of serious debate on how to take action in the face of ecological breakdown.
The marquee event aligned with the launch of the new campaign is a discussion about the role of science in society. The event, “The Time is Now,” featuring the RCSC co-director Ingrid Visseren-Hamakers, will be held 6th March. Participating in the places of dialogue are critical to politicizing sustainability, one of the key argument of the Manifesto.
Event Description
As a society we face a task. The task is to make each other substantially more sustainable. With an eye for people and the earth. We call this new era the Symbiocene. The transition to this requires a lot from companies, government and science. New initiatives are popping up everywhere to accelerate this transition. At Radboud University we feel an urgency and a drive to play a leading role. And to bring companies, practitioners and scientists together in this seminar: The time is now. In the latest Radboud Magazine, various scientists, teachers and students talk about what they contribute to this development, using the concept of 'symbiocene'. During the seminar we want to dialogue with each other about this in order to bridge the gap between practice and science. Collaboration between research and social parties is now gaining ground, how can this lead to real social change? During this seminar we want to investigate how we can connect theory and practice in such a way that sustainable change within organizations and society is accelerated and takes place in the right direction. In concrete terms, we will discuss the question of whether we can form a fellowship with stakeholders from business, government, social organizations and science to collaborate on this. So join this group of scientists and practitioners to jointly lead the way in creating a new, sustainable relationship between people and nature. The time is now!
Program:
Opening by Marije Klomp, Sustainability program director at Radboud University, and Jorn ten Brink, Lifelong Development program coordinator
Professor Ingrid Visseren-Hamakers (also one of the interviewees from the Radboud Magazine) will open the seminar with an inspiring story about transformative change,
Koen Eising, CSR Director Alliander, shares his practical experiences in the field of sustainability,
Exchange on current issues in both practice and science,
Willem Elbers discusses community building as a way to work together on sustainable change,
Exploration of the establishment of a Transformative Change Fellowship and next steps,
Networking drinks
Wednesday, March 6 from 2-6pm, including drinks from 5pm. On the campus of Radboud University in Nijmegen. Cost 50 euros per person. Maximum amount of participants Max. 50 participants.