The Environment
A Global Interdisciplinary Conference

Sunday 18th April 2021 - Monday 19th April 2021
Vienna, Austria

‘One of the first conditions of happiness is that the link between Man and Nature shall not be broken.’
Leo Tolstoy

The 21st century poses major critical issues related to the problems generated by overpopulation, massive urbanisation, global warming, air and water pollution, water scarcity, soil degradation, deforestation, desertification, extinction of plant and animal species. Under the threat of the 6th mass extinction prophesied by scientists and specialists, there is urgent need to address the circumstances that are dramatically affecting the course of life on our planet in a responsible and accountable manner. Today it is paramount to create an eco-civilisation that will focus on a radical change in our production patterns and consumption habits. This involves sound economic policies, healthy work standards and sustainable life practices.

That these aims can be achieved was proven by the recent standstill occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. With most commercial and industrial activity put on halt suddenly, people have become increasingly aware of the unsophisticated world around them and realised the importance of the landscape and wildlife for their physical and mental comfort. The instant reconnection with nature is a clear evidence of the instinctive everlasting bond between humans and the environment. Perhaps it takes a global disaster to realise that it is time to change our attitude towards our planet by revaluating our personal and communal selves, our private and public patterns of behaviour, our individual and collective ways of thinking and acting.

The main objective of this interdisciplinary event is to bring together all those interested in examining the intersections between their professions, areas of expertise and/or interests and the distinct aspects of the environment understood from historical, social, economic, political, cultural, philosophical, ideological, ethical, moral, religious, etc. perspectives.

Key Topics
Key topics, themes and issues for discussion may include, but are definitely not limited to:

~ the environment and change over time
~ natural disasters and climate change
~ between the environment business and the business environment
~ sustainable development and economic growth
~ environmental protection and management
~ environmental engineering and the ethics of science
~ the future of environmental science
~ sustainable energy and renewable fuels
~ environmental policies and economic progress
~ ecosystems and communities
~ environmental activism and reforms
~ environmental protest and the media
~ ecological urbanism and environmental sustainability
~ the environment and globalisation
~ the environment and identity
~ the environment and human health
~ ecological agriculture and food security
~ organic food and the environment
~ environmental education
~ environmental psychology
~ environmental racism and classism
~ the environment and technological advancement
~ gendered perceptions of nature and the environment
~ the environment and the human body
~ ecological architecture
~ ecological tourism
~ ecological approaches to religion and faith
~ culture and natural resources
~ cultural ecology and neo-evolutionism
~ environmental arts and crafts
~ sustainable fashion
~ ecoaesthetics and ecocriticism
~ representation of the environment and environmental issues in film, television, gaming, music, literature, essays, etc.
~ the coronavirus crisis – the turning point?
~ from Homo egocentricus to Homo ecologicus

What To Send
The aim of this interdisciplinary conference and collaborative networking event is to bring people together and encourage creative conversations in the context of a variety of formats: papers, seminars, workshops, storytelling, performances, poster presentations, panels, q&a’s, round-tables etc.

300 word proposals, presentations, abstracts and other forms of contribution and participation should be submitted by Friday 2nd October 2020. Other forms of participation should be discussed in advance with the Organising Chair.

All submissions will be minimally double reviewed, under anonymous (blind) conditions, by a global panel drawn from members of the Project Development Team and the Advisory Board. In practice our procedures usually entail that by the time a proposal is accepted, it will have been triple and quadruple reviewed.

You will be notified of the panel’s decision by Friday 9th October 2020.

If your submission is accepted for the conference, a full draft of your contribution should be submitted by Friday 12th February 2021

Abstracts and proposals may be in Word, PDF, RTF or Notepad formats with the following information and in this order:
a) author(s), b) affiliation as you would like it to appear in the programme, c) email address, d) title of proposal, e) body of proposal, f) up to 10 keywords.

E-mails should be entitled: Environment Submission.

Where To Send
Abstracts should be submitted simultaneously to the Organising Chair and the Project Administrator:

Elena Nistor: elena.nistor.environment@gmail.com
Len Capuli (Project Administrator): viennaenvironment@progressiveconnexions.net

What's so Special About a Progressive Connexions Event?
A fresh, friendly, dynamic format: at Progressive Connexions we are dedicated to breaking away from the stuffy, old-fashioned conference formats, where endless presentations are read aloud off PowerPoints. We work to bring you an interactive format, where exchange of experience and information is alternated with captivating workshops, engaging debates and round tables, time set aside for getting to know each other and for discussing common future projects and initiatives, all in a warm, relaxed, egalitarian atmosphere.
 
A chance to network with international professionals: the beauty of our interdisciplinary events is that they bring together professionals from all over the world and from various fields of activity, all joined together by a shared passion. Not only will the exchange of experience, knowledge and stories be extremely valuable in itself, but we seek to create lasting, ever-growing communities around our projects, which will become a valuable resource for those belonging to them.
 
A chance to be part of constructing change: There is only one thing we love as much as promoting knowledge: promoting real, lasting social change by encouraging our participants to take collective action, under whichever form is most suited to their needs and expertise (policy proposals, measuring instruments, research projects, educational materials, etc.) We will support all such actions in the aftermath of the event as well, providing a platform for further discussions, advice from the experts on our Project Advisory Team and various other tools and intellectual resources, as needed.
 
An opportunity to discuss things that matter to you: Our events are not only about discussing how things work in the respective field, but also about how people work in that field - what are the struggles, problems and solutions professionals have found in their line of work, what are the areas where better communication among specialists is needed and how the interdisciplinary approach can help bridge those gaps and help provide answers to questions from specific areas of activity.
 
An unforgettable experience: When participating in a Progressive Connexions event, there is a good chance you will make some long-time friends. Our group sizes are intimate, our venues are comfortable and relaxing and our event locations are suited to the history and culture of the event.
 
Ethos
Progressive Connexions believes it is a mark of personal courtesy and professional respect to your colleagues that all delegates should attend for the full duration of the meeting. If you are unable to make this commitment, please do not submit an abstract or proposal for presentation.
 
Please note: Progressive Connexions is a not-for-profit network and we are not in a position to be able to assist with conference travel or subsistence, nor can we offer discounts off published rates and fees.
 
Please send all enquiries to: viennaenvironment@progressiveconnexions.net
 
For further details and information please visit the conference web page: https://www.progressiveconnexions.net/interdisciplinary-projects/global-transformations/the-environment/conferences/

Sponsored by: Progressive Connexions