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Geopolitics of Degrowth in a Conflicted Europe (Leipzig)
Post-growth ideas attract many green thinkers, activists and politicians in Bulgaria and Europe. But how do these ideas fit with the new geopolitical situation in Europe after the military attack on Ukraine? Join us in Leipzig, Germany-or online- for a workshop targeted at activists, experts and opinion leaders interested in the development of green visions on European geopolitics.
About the event
Green policies that respect planetary boundaries and allow the Global South to develop seem incompatible with unlimited economic growth in the EU. We need a realistic scenario for a future in which we consume more sparingly but live better together. A scenario that could be possible within a degrowth context.
The war in Ukraine completely changed the geopolitical landscape. Today, the idea of ending GDP growth in the EU encounters new and important impediments, with power and wealth being measured in military capacity. Can a degrowth Europe build strength and resilience in this context?
To tackle this issue, the Green European Foundation with the support of BlueLink is organising a workshop in Leipzig, as part of a series of expert meetings across Europe. The outcomes from these meetings and further research and interviews will feed into a final publication to be launched in the autumn of 2023.
We invite researchers, activists and policy makers – particularly from Central and Eastern Europe and Ukraine – with an interest in green policies and geopolitics to present perspectives, experiences, analytical or activity reports and to engage in a discussion around the following questions:
- How does degrowth within the EU affect the EU’s ability to achieve geopolitical objectives like providing security, and what are the resulting tensions and synergies?
- Can such tensions be mitigated? If so, how?
- How would it be possible to optimize the possibilities that degrowth offers, including for democratic flourishing and a safer Europe and world?
Not every question has a definitive answer and we promote creativity, analytical thinking, and a fresh approaches to the challenge.
Project Background
This event is part of GEF’s project Geopolitics of a Post-Growth Europe, which explores the tensions between degrowth/post-growth and geopolitics. The project aims to ignite a conversation between critics of economic growth and progressive thinkers on foreign and security policy, who now often operate in separate circuits. It aims to find solutions beyond naïve anti-militarism and convenient belief in green growth. Find out more about the project and its findings at geopoliticspostgrowth.eu.
Practicalities
This GEF workshop will take place as part of the International Roundtable 2023 held by the Peaceful Revolution Foundation in Leipzig. You can find out more information about this conference here.
Date and time: October 11th, 2023 (14:30 CET)
Location: Leipzig, Germany and online (hybrid event)
Language: English
Registration: Open to all interested participants, but please register in advance via this link. Please use the ‘Questions and Comments’ field to specify your scope of interest or proposed intervention. You will receive a confirmation email after registration.
In case you want to attend the workshop in person in Leipzig, please also email office@bluelink.net by Friday, October 6th.
This event is organized by the Green European Foundation with the support of BlueLink. It will take place as part of the Revolutionale International Round Table 2023 held in Leipzig by the Peaceful Revolution Foundation.