About the Event
Is Europe ready for the ecological conversion that scientific evidence stresses on us?
Ivan Illich and Alexander Langer are influential interpreters of the economic critique of consumer society. Their work and practice offer many stimuli for reflection and action in the contemporary context.
This conference will offer the opportunity to compare Illich’s and Langer’s views and proposals, and to examine not only their freshness and relevance but also their critical aspects.
The seminar will dedicate sessions to the translation of theoretical thinking into practical choices as they emerge from the different programs and practices of the Green political sphere, in order to design and develop new humanistic approaches and environmental strategies.
Context
Ivan Illich and Alexander Langer are two of the most authoritative interpreters of a critique of the consumer society based on the theory of market self-regulation.
Illich’s importance in representing a critical voice towards the Western social model, by now of global dimension, is well known. We aim to venture further and discuss the personal trajectory and new message that he wanted to propose without coming to terms with the corruptive logics of a consumerist society, and how can this apply to the present generations.
Langer spoke of the social desirability of an ecological conversion even before Pope Francis did so in his Encyclical. This can only succeed when it is socially desirable. What we need is a ritual passage which has the allure of solemnity: an “ecological constituent,” and a widespread commitment to reconsider our ways of living, producing, consuming in order to make our life-styles compatible with the limited amount of resources the world can provide.
The various conference contributions will study the religious aspects, those linked to agricultural and territorial choices, the theme of the frontier, and the economic and political aspects measured by the real goods and needs of the civil communities throughout Europe.
Programme and Speakers
Friday, 22/10
17:00 Conference opening
- Mauro Bozzetti & Franz Tutzer
17:30 “In the sign of the flying fish:” Ivan and Alexander
- Barbara Duden, Hannover University
Saturday, 23/10
9:00 It is not enough to be indignant. The concrete utopia of Illich and Langer.
- Mauro Bozzetti, University of Urbino
10:00 Interculturality: from Illich to Langer
11:30 When the frontiers fall, all is the same – the disappearance of the ability-to-be-different
14:30 Not developing the production of goods, but the art of life
15:30 The regeneration of the common good as an integral revolution
17:00 Wolfgang Sachs: Memories, impressions, analysis
- Wuppertal Institute for Climate
18:00 Brief interventions and reflections
- Fridays for Future, Lupus in Fabula, …
Evening: eco-acoustic intervention by David Monacchi
Sunday, 24/10
9:00 Rethinking along with Alexander Langer and Ivan Illich
9:45 Round table: Towards a European ecological conversion
- Moderated by Franz Tutzer & Mauro Bozzetti
12:00 Conclusion
Practicalities
Dates: 22-24 October
Location: Monastery of Montebello, Italy
Language: Italian (some sessions in German with guiding translation)
Registration and further information: info@alexanderlanger.net (deadline – October 15th)
Audience: The event is addressed both to persons interested in the work in Illich and Langer and more broadly to citizens with an interest in climate change and ecological policies, to students, scholars, and activists.
A brochure containing the conference contributions will be made available after the event, which will be beneficial in promoting, design and developing new humanistic approaches and environmental strategies for a desirable future, a “futuro amico”.
This conference is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of Fondazione Alexander Langer and the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.
