International Conference 2012
Mon, 8 October 2012, 11:30 – 13:00
Debate on Growth and Distribution
The fair distribution of resources is key to shaping our economic system in a way that is sustainable. Qualitative growth alone will not solve the issue of distribution. In the debate on growth it is therefore important to address questions regarding distribution.
Based on current research results the workshop investigates whether there is per se a conflict between equity and efficiency:
What are the economic and social impacts of economic growth on the distribution of income and wealth?
How can income and wealth be distributed more fairly in the future? Which paths should society, economy and politics take?
Arranged by: Federal Chancellery
Workshop in English
Labour and Growth
Economic growth is a key objective of economic policy. It shall lead to rising employment, increase welfare and the quality of life as a whole. But what if the economy slows down, as during the crisis; or if less growth is even desired in order to reduce natural resource consumption and emissions?
The nexus of employment and economic growth is a substantial argument against the call for a more sustainable economy with lower or even negative economic growth. The workshop labour and growth will discuss possible ways out of this dilemma and highlight perspectives: How can and should the future of work look like? Which societal, economic and political changes will be needed?
Arranged by: Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
Workshop in English
Labour and Growth
Economic growth is a key objective of economic policy. It shall lead to rising employment, increase welfare and the quality of life as a whole. But what if the economy slows down, as during the crisis; or if less growth is even desired in order to reduce natural resource consumption and emissions?
The nexus of employment and economic growth is a substantial argument against the call for a more sustainable economy with lower or even negative economic growth. The workshop labour and growth will discuss possible ways out of this dilemma and highlight perspectives: How can and should the future of work look like? Which societal, economic and political changes will be needed?
Arranged by: Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
Workshop in English
The monetary and financial system
Is money driving growth? Or are financial problems being driven by the growth compulsion?
Are money and finance really key factors in the relationship between growth and sustainability? What does all this mean in the context of the current crisis? The session will deal with these and other questions concerning the monetary and financial system.
Stefan Bruckbauer (Chief Economist of Bank Austria), Friedrich Hinterberger (President of the Sustainable Europe Research Institute) and Markus Will (author) will provide brief inputs. This will be followed by a panel discussion and a discussion with the audience. Fred Luks, Sustainability Manager of Bank Austria, will act as moderator of the session.
Arranged by: Bank Austria / Sustainable Europe Research Institute
Workshop in English
Crisis Phenomena and Natural Limits
The current manifold crises are a sign that we have exceeded limits. We encounter limits not only in the financial sector, within social systems, but also in our natural environment.
In this workshop we want to highlight the limits of natural systems. How do different social patterns influence resource use and how do they affect our natural environment? What are our limits? How should we design our social system to ensure a sustainable way of dealing with our environment? How and where are we going to live on our limited planet, what will the future bring for our social structures?
Arranged by: Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management
Workshop in English
Fiscal Policy
Which role can Fiscal Policy play for a sustainable and social fair growth?
Arranged by: Federal Ministry of Finance
Workshop in English
Tue, 9 October 2012, 9:30 – 11:00
Fiscal Policy
Welche Rolle kann Fiskalpolitik für ein grüneres und sozialeres Wirtschaftswachstum spielen?
Diese Session zielt darauf ab, den Handlungsspielraum der Fiskalpolitik aufzuzeigen, optimale Rahmenbedingungen für eine Wirtschaft zu schaffen, die ökologisch nachhaltig und sozial fair sind und zudem in der Lage, langfristige wirtschaftliche Stabilität sicherzustellen. Welche unterschiedlichen Instrumente stehen fiskalpolitischen Entscheidungsträgern zur Verfügung um das Wirtschaftswachstum zu stärken, dabei aber auch gleichzeitig das Wohlbefinden der Menschen zu verbessern und die nachhaltige Verwendung natürlicher Ressourcen sicherzustellen? Wie können existierende Strukturen effizienter und effektiver gestaltet werden, um durch eine bessere Einsetzung öffentlicher Finanzmittel zusätzliche Ressourcen für soziale und ökologische Prioritäten freizusetzen? Dies sind nur einige der Fragen mit denen wir uns in unserem Workshop gerne befassen wollen.
Arranged by: Federal Ministry of Finance
Workshop in English
People in Transition
People shape the transition towards a green economy
In this workshop we look at the questions of growth from a threefold angle of view.
– The human being: globetrotter Gregor Sieböck – experiences, insights, views
– The family-run business: Growth in harmony with nature. The story of the Lo Franco family and the “Fattoria La Vialla”/Tuscany
Video of La Vialla and talk with Christine Saahs
– The international company: Developing business and people. A growth strategy of IKEA; talk with Barbara Riedl
Chair: Helga Prazak-Reisinger & Walter Seeböck
Video: “Within the flow of life” from Margit Atzler
Afterwards discussion with the audience.
Arranged by: B.A.U.M.
Workshop in German. If required translation into English.
Regions in transition
Three different regions from Austria will describe their appreciation of the growing of quality of life. Afterwards we will discuss in small groups and as a whole group the following question:
“What is the essence of quality of life in the region?”
One of the most important things is the possibility of participation – How can I participate as a citizen in the development of the region? And converse: How can we keep the interest of the citizens awake to participate in the development of the region?
Arranged by: Province of Lower Austria
Workshop in German. If required translation into English.
Energy Transition
The transition of the energy systems is necessary due to the threats of climate change and the development of oil prices. The transition is already happening in the present. The specific characteristics of the future energy systems determine our livestyles and economy in a direct way. Therefore we want to address in this WS the process itself and the possibilities of managing energy transition and the obstacles. Dr. Florian Kern (University of Sussex) will give an input on the theoretical concepts transition management and multilevel concept. Concepts that found prominent attention in the actual energy policy of Holland and the UK.
How can we learn from theory for the practical application?
Working with the example of klima:aktiv, an Austrian climate change initiative, general insights in the operationalisation of these concepts are the goal of this WS.
Arranged by: Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management
Workshop in English
Tue, 9 October 2012, 11:30 – 11:00
pupils.shape.changes.
In 2010 Konstantinos Bitzios initiated the project “schülerInnen.gestalten.wandel.”-“pupils. shape. changes.” in order to provide a voice for young people. During the workshop youths will discuss with participants about several topics. The technique is special. You will be surprised! (www.schuelergestaltenwandel.at)
Arranged by: schuelerInnen.gestalten.wandel.
Workshop in English
Measuring Prosperity and Quality of Life. The Case of Austria
Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted. (Albert Einstein)
In this workshop we discuss the scope and constraints in measuring prosperity and quality of life. What is measurable? What are the aims? What are the inaccuracies? Further we ask for the implications for policy making.
Arranged by: Ecosocial Forum and Federal Ministry of Economy, Family and Youth)
Workshop in German. If required translation into English.
Alternative Economic Strategies
Economy in transition – how to organise economic activities differently
The prevailing economic system respectively the economic concepts behind are not able to provide good life for all within a sound environment and well-functioning social relationships.
In this session we want to discuss different ways to organise economy, their requirements and already existing approaches and ideas.
Elke Pirgmaier (Sustainable Europe Research Institute – SERI) will present various alternative economic and social concepts. Karin Küblböck (economist, co-founder of ATTAC Austria) and Ulrich Thielemann (business ethician) will share their expert views on this topic with us. Ines Omann (SERI) will chair the session.
Arranged by: Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management / Sustainable Europe Research Institute
Workshop in English
Tue, 9 October 2012, 11:30 – 11:00
Interactive Presentation with Dynamic Facilitation
The following three questions will be dealt with by means of the method “dynamic facilitation”: Which structures and institutions do we need for the transition process? What strengthens our resilience? How can we organise activities and participation? Dynamic Facilitation is an open, chaired group discussion with a variable number of participants. The method relies on the participants’ creativity in finding a solution, and deliberately avoids conventional, linear facilitation structures. More information you can find at: http://www.partizipation.at/dynamic_facilitation_en.html
Wed, 10 October 2012, 11:00 – 13:00
Book Presentation
New Welfare. Life and Economy on a limited planet
Presentation of the new book by Hans Holzinger (International Futures Library, Salzburg).
What kind of welfare is sustainable? What will be its main features and how can we achieve it? The key thesis of Holzingers new book will be debated.
Arranged by: Hans Holzinger
In German
Wed, 10 October 2012, 9:00 – 13:00
Scientific Workshop “Testing the Green Growth Hypothesis”
Arranged by: Sustainable Europe Research Institute / Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration
Workshop in English
Wed, 10 October 2012, 14:00 – 16:00
Book Presentation
Das qualitative Wirtschaftswachstum – eine Herausforderung für die Welt.
Publisher: Herwig Büchele and Anton Pelinka, Innsbruck University Press
Arranged by: Herwig Büchele, Anton Pelinka
In German
Wed, 10 October 2012, 14:00 – 17:00
Scientific Workshop – “WWW for Europe – Welfare, Wealth and Work”
The Relationship of Quality of Life Indicators to Economic Growth
Arranged by: Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration / Austrian Institute of Economic Research
Workshop in English
