EADI-IOB Conference: Shaping Sustainable Futures - Global Challenges, (G)local Solutions

"Shaping Sustainable Futures" encapsulates the diverse array of perspectives and aspirations regarding global and local progress, both in the immediate and distant future. Sustainability, in this context, signifies not only ecological soundness, but also resilience in socio-economic, cultural and political spheres. While a comprehensive approach to sustainability is ideal in theory, practical applications are subject to the diverse spectrum of ideas, ideologies, social and cultural norms, interests, and power dynamics that fluctuate across different contexts. This often leads to conflicting perspectives on what constitutes sustainable production and an equitable distribution of (limited, scarce, natural…) resources, as well as how these ought to be governed or regulated. Recognising, comprehending, and dissecting these varied (partly shared, partly competing) visions and the ensuing tensions across different strata constitutes the focal point of this conference. 

Operating under the umbrella of "Global Challenges," we invite scholarly inquiries into the obstacles confronting the global community. The term "(G)Local Solutions" refers to initiatives at diverse levels, emphasising that local initiatives may extend beyond micro-localities, encompassing national and regional contexts. The inclusion of the 'G' within parentheses accentuates the interplay between the global and the local, highlighting the interconnectedness of different scales and levels of decision-making in addressing sustainability challenges. 

This conference seeks to foster an understanding of the interdependence between global policies/agreements (such as international trade policies, climate agreements, SDGs…) and local interventions. It acknowledges that global challenges necessitate cooperative, cross-border solutions that transcend geographical and political boundaries. Conversely, it recognises the imperative for tailored, society- and community-driven approaches to address challenges rooted in specific socio-economic, cultural, and environmental contexts. 

We welcome researchers, policy makers, policy shapers, practitioners and students interested in the topic of the conference. The conference organisers would like to stimulate and encourage interdisciplinary collaborations and/or collaborations with non-academic actors. Particular attention will be given to comparative research on how different localities (in varying regions of the Global South and/or North) are interconnected with global dynamics. The conference theme also invites further engagement with the ongoing debate on the role and scope of Development Studies in view of the aforementioned issues.