“In the rush to normal, use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to” – Dave hollis

The purpose of this event is to stimulate a dialogue between key international players from politics, science and experts operating in the fields of new economic models, circular business models and behavioural change to explore how the Coronavirus crisis and the forced “slowing down” of societies is impacting personal lives, our societies and economies. More importantly, we would like to look to the future and explore whether the Covid-19 pandemic can and will help societies achieve the United Nations SDG goals and the impending climate targets. We will discuss learnings and takeaways from C19 crisis and hear insights about what opportunities such a time has to offer for a more resilient future.

The event is brought to you by the Circular Economy Transition initiative and Impact Hub Switzerland with the engagement of the American Embassy in Switzerland and WWF Switzerland.

About the speakers:

Keynote speaker guest:

Otto Scharmer is a Senior Lecturer in the MIT Management Sloan School and co-founder of the Presencing Institute. He chairs the MIT IDEAS program for cross-sector innovation and introduced the concept of “presencing”—learning from the emerging future—in his bestselling books Theory U and Presence (the latter co-authored with P. Senge et al). He is co-author of Leading from the Emerging Future, which outlines eight acupuncture points for transforming capitalism. His most recent book, The Essentials of Theory U, summarizes the core principles and applications of awareness-based systems change.

Panelist speaker guests:

Nancy Bocken is professor at Lund University, IIIEE in Sustainable Business Management and Practice. She is also associate Professor at TU Delft, Industrial Design Engineering and fellow at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL). She is co-founder of a startup called HOMIE and advisor to a number of organisations (large and small) on sustainable business models.

Marie-Claire Graf is a Swiss climate activist and engaged in various organisations for climate protection and sustainability. She is President of the Swiss Association of Student Organisations for Sustainability (VSN) and co-founder of the Sustainability Week, an initiative launched in 2017 in which 14 Swiss cities are currently participating. She is also Vice-President of “Swiss Youth for Climate”, an association founded in 2015 to involve youth in the political debate on climate change.

Adèle Thorens Goumaz is a member of the Swiss Council of States and president at OdA Umwelt, a network for professionals in the environment and cleantech sector in Switzerland. She is also a member of the foundation board of sanu durabilitas, a think tank for sustainable development, where she focuses on circular economy. A philosopher by training, her main focus is the promotion of the green economy and sustainable development  in the broadest sense – be that as a member of parliament, a consultant for companies or public authorities, during her involvement in various councils or for educational matters.

Ion Karagounis is leading the department for future economics and environmental issues at WWF Switzerland. He has many years of experience in the management of non-profit organizations and is committed, also in his personal life to environmental and future issues.

AGENDA (CET time)

18:00: Welcome & introduction – Impact Hub Switzerland / Circular Economy Transition

18:15: Inspirational keynote – Setting the scene

guest speaker: Otto Scharmer, Senior Lecturer, MIT, and Founding Chair, Presencing Institute

18:45: High level panel discussion to discuss on different levels:

guest panelist speakers:  Nancy Bocken, Marie Claire Graf, Adèle Thorens Goumaz, Ion Karagounis

• Status Quo – What do we see? (new initiatives, behaviors)
• Factual – What are the impacts (Climate, society, etc.)? What can we measure?
• Perspectives – What are trends, future scenarios, transition opportunities?
• Political – What should we demand for? What can we expect?

19:30: Moderated Q&A with audience

19:45: Conclusion & outlook – Circular Economy Transition

About the organisers:

Circular Economy Transition is a pioneer initiative that aims at accelerating the transition of Switzerland to a Circular Economy. It currently takes place in 5 Swiss cities – Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, and Zurich.

In close collaboration with Impact Hub Switzerland, sanu durabilitas and with the support of the MAVA foundation, this initiative will contribute to drive the new paradigm for the future of business, policy making and society through 4 main approaches:

• Circular Economy Incubator (learn more here)
• Circular Business Lab (learn more here)
• Circular policy recommendations (learn more here)
• Circular Ecosystem building (learn more here)

More information here.