BCSSS Research Group Leaders contribute to the Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference in Brussels

The European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee hosted the 2019 European Circular Economy Stakeholder Conference in Brussels, in March. The conference with over 600 attendees from all over the world, including China, and 250 people on a waiting list to attend, looked at policies to capitalise on the current global momentum, broadening the debate to consider the circular economy as an enabler to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

The leaders of the BCSSS Research Group Circular Economy Systems Ladeja Godina Košir and Karin Huber-Heim contributed to the very successful Stakeholder Conference with their expertise. Together with other experts and high ranked EU-Commissioners the two BCSSS Members stated the importance of circular economy and climate action for the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and the world community (SDGs).

Mainly Karin and Ladeja spoke about consumer insights to circular economy and involved with establishing a consumer insight action panel. Consumer insight is the main insight for behavioural change regarding circular economy. Thus, developing a realistic view on human behaviour and understanding rationality and consumption are among the core needs for circular economies.

On Day 2 Circular Change organised a workshop on creativity and innovation with Douwe Jan Joustra as a keynote and contributions from Karin Huber-Heim among many other leading experts in innovation and sustainability.

Ladeja Godina Košir holds the position as chairwoman of the stakeholder platform ECESP and was significantly involved with organizing and implementing the conference. This event, under her responsibility, was a great success. The BCSSS congratulates Ladeja in involving the platform in decision processes of the European Union further. European Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen recognised the platform as a social innovation. With 7000 visitors a month, 200 good practices published and active database of events it is connecting different stakeholders and enables the exchange of knowledge and best practices, supporting economic as well as social transformation, encouraging civil society to take action and get recognition, and inviting the young generation to use this channel and spread their voice.