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1. 30th IEF Conference - online
Possible speakers, to be contacted, and proposed themes:
- Hanley (community and regeneration)
- Maureen Syer (alignment of science and religion with equality and justice)
- Illona (hope grounded in local action)
- Saghar Saberian (importance of reciprocity and cooperation in communities)
- Stephen Worth
(community based models of development)
- Les Gornall (building dialogue propositions: orientation toward long-term well-being rather than short-term gain)
- Anissa Missaghi (reflecting on the state of the world and our role in business and professional life)
A few contributions to the dialogue:
1. The environmental breakdown is connected to:
- social inequality
- governance failures
- a deeper question of what we think progress is for
2. Lasting solutions emerge when people see themselves as protagonists.
3. A failure of a shared destiny is when we place self-interest above collective responsibility.
4. Climate action is being discussed not only as emissions reduction, but as issues of equity and trust
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2. This is what I suggest:
Proposed Theme
“From Environmental Crisis to Collective Stewardship: Reframing Progress, Justice and Community Action toward long-term collective well-being rather than short-term gain”.
Short Concept Note (Draft)
As the International Environment Forum approaches its 30th Conference, it offers an opportunity to deepen reflection on the roots of the environmental crisis and the pathways toward lasting transformation, creating safe havens through constructive resilience.
Environmental breakdown is increasingly understood not only as a technical or ecological challenge, but as one connected to social inequality, governance failures, and deeper questions about how societies define progress and prosperity.
At the same time, hopeful signs are emerging from community-based initiatives, ethical reflection, and collaborative models of development in the local level. These experiences demonstrate that lasting solutions arise when individuals and communities see themselves as protagonists in shaping the well-being of the planet and society.
This dialogue could explore how environmental action today must be grounded not only in emissions reduction, but also in justice, reciprocity, trust and a shared sense of destiny.
The conference will therefore invite participants to reflect on how science, ethics, community action and governance can align toward long-term collective well-being rather than short-term gain.
Possible Speakers & Dialogue Contributions
Community and Development Perspectives
- Paul Hanley: community regeneration and local transformation
- Stephen Worth: community-based models of development
- Saghar Saberian: reciprocity and cooperation in communities
Ethics, Knowledge and Worldviews
- Maureen Syer: alignment between science, spirituality, equality and justice
- Les Gornall: building dialogue oriented toward long-term well-being
Hope and Agency
- Illona: hope grounded in local action
- Anissa Missaghi: reflecting on the state of the world and our role in professional life