Sustainability Research & Innovation Congress 2022

June 20-24, 2022, Online and onsite in Pretoria, South Africa The Sustainability Research & Innovation Congress is a series of gatherings that unite global research leaders, experts, industries and innovators to inspire action and promote a sustainability transformation. Hosted by the Future Africa Institute at the University of Pretoria, SRI2022 will build on the success of the first SRI Congress which took place in June 2021 and featured 700 speakers and 2,000 participants from 100 countries.

An important objective of SRI2022 is to amplify the voice of sustainability science and innovation in the Global South, specifically for the African continent, through raising awareness and propelling discussions about sustainable priorities for Africa.

Session Proposals:

Submit your session proposal by February 18, 2022.

This call for session proposals is open to groups composed of anyone working in sustainability science and practice, which includes the research sector, government, business, philanthropy, art and civil society. The second edition of the SRI Congress will be held in Pretoria, South Africa, June 20-24, 2022, and online.

For this call, proposal are accepted on the four Congress themes:

• Nexus issues: Novel perspectives looking at critical intersections in multiple areas including but not restricted to sustainable food systems and human wellbeing; resilience, adaptation and addressing risk; evidence-based and actionable contributions to the SDGs and beyond; narratives of progress, wealth and well-being; water, food, energy, society; resources use efficiency.
• Different ways of knowing: Recognizing that knowledge is versatile, SRI2022 explores the various ways of understanding, conceptualizing, and learning about the world. An inclusive approach to knowledge will dramatically broaden the spectrum of solutions available for action-forward sustainability work.
• New horizons: Sustainability is about our relationship with the future, and SRI2022 seeks to explore emerging issues and trends that shape our world tomorrow. In a time of rapid change, looking ahead is more important than ever. What are the challenges and solutions that might surprise us? How can we get ahead of the curve and build our preparedness and resilience? How to predict the unpredictable? Who are the new players and what are the unlikely coalitions? Under this theme, we are particularly open for new if not unexpected ideas.
• African science and innovation (Cross cutting theme): One of the key objectives of SRI2022 is to showcase the richness of African science and innovation in sustainability. From tested local solutions to advanced academic research, the African continent has a wealth of knowledge and innovation to offer to the wider world. In addition, SRI2022 is hoping to strengthen the inter-African dialogue and networks by offering an inclusive platform for increased visibility and collaboration.

Submission deadline is February 18, 2022, at 23:59 SAST (UTC +2). Oceania satellite deadline is February 28, 2022, at 23:59 AEST (UTC +1).

Click here to submit a proposal.

Click here to register for the program. Stay tuned for more information!