Sustainable Solutions, Shared Futures: Development Research for the 21st Century

ZEF international conference in Bonn, Germany (September 30-October 2, 2024)

The international conference "Sustainable Solutions, Shared Futures: Development Research for the 21st Century" marks the 25th anniversary of interdisciplinary development research at ZEF and its doctoral program BIGS-DR. We invite you to contribute to the conference so that we experience a mix of lectures, roundtables, mini colloquia, and short films. And lots of social interaction with colleagues and friends. 

ZEF was founded in 1997 to provide science-based and transdisciplinary solutions to living conditions related to poverty, inequalities, food security, land use, governance, migration, urbanization, and health. Over 400 scholars from all over the world have completed their doctoral research and degrees as part of the structured doctoral program at ZEF. Many have worked with ZEF as postdocs and senior researchers and are now actively contributing to solving global and local problems through their work in international organizations, governments, research institutes, companies, NGOs, and civil society organizations.

In the company of our partners, alumni, friends, donors, and colleagues, we aim to celebrate our achievements, learn from the past, and discuss the ways forward against the backdrop of the global poly-crisis that we are currently facing. This conference involves issues of food and nutrition security, climate change, conflict, governance, global justice, and biodiversity. How can we achieve a healthy and just future for every being? How can political and financial structures of power imbalance be transformed to benefit the people in need? How can different perspectives, priorities, and needs be targeted to a just and sustainable transition?

Panels

We intend to explore and build perspectives related to the following panel themes:

• Climate and Health
• Agriculture and Nutrition
• Land Use Conflicts and Nature's Contributions to People
• Translating knowledge into action

Gender equality, intersectionality, and empowerment will be a thread running through all these discussions.

Abstracts

• The deadline for submitting abstracts has passed! 
• Professors at ZEF, who are leading the panels will review the submissions. 
• You will receive feedback on your submission by the beginning of May 2024. 

Venue

• Venue: Gustav-Stresemann-Institut (GSI), Langer Grabenweg 68, 53175 Bonn, Germany.
• Accommodation: 
  Please note: we do not organize or book rooms for participants.
  You can book a room at the venue (GSI) or organize accommodation elsewhere in Bonn.
  Please note: we will not be able to reimburse visa costs, insurance costs, or costs of public transport in Germany.

Financial support for this conference from the Foundation fiat panis is gratefully acknowledged.

Let's celebrate, share, and develop the way for a sustainable future. We eagerly await your contributions and presence at this conference!

Prof. Dr. Matin Qaim, Prof. Dr. Ina Danquah, Prof. Dr. Christian Borgemeister, PD Dr. Eva Youkhana, Jun.- Prof. Dr. Wolfram Barfuss, Prof. Dr. Jan Börner, Jun.-Prof. Dr. Lisa Biber- Freudenberger, Dr. Silke Tönsjost

Contact:              

University of Bonn
Center for Development Research (ZEF)
Dr. Silke Tönsjost
Genscherallee 3
53113 Bonn
Germany
zef25@uni-bonn.de