The 18th Conference of the International Society for Ecological Economics (ISEE) and the 11th International Degrowth Conference will take place in Oslo from June 24 to 27, 2025.
Under the shared theme “Building socially just postgrowth futures – linking theory and action” the conference aims to create an inspiring event with impacts that extend well beyond academia. Organised in collaboration with policymakers, activists, NGOs, and other key actors, the conference will feature a rich programme of plenary and parallel sessions—including both regular abstract sessions and special sessions.
As part of this global dialogue, SIANI will co-host a special session titled “From Principles to Practice: Envisioning Post-Growth Food Systems through Agroecology“, in collaboration with Alnarp’s Agroecology Farm, the Institute for Degrowth Studies, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI). This session will explore how agroecology can serve as a transformative pathway to equitable and sustainable food systems in a post-growth context.
Grounded in the real-world example of Alnarp’s Agroecology Farm—a half-hectare farm in southern Sweden cultivating over 40 crops through a vibrant Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programme—the session will delve into the practical application of the 13 Principles of Agroecology. Participants will be introduced to the Amplifying Stories of Agroecology Practices and Principles (ASAPP) initiative led by SIANI, which showcases agroecology as a compelling alternative to conventional, growth-driven agricultural models.
The session will include a presentation and open discussion on how Alnarp’s farm aligns with agroecological principles and post-growth thinking, followed by a 40-minute interactive scenario workshop. Participants will be presented with a utopian scenario—designed to prompt reflection on the structural barriers that hinder full alignment with agroecological principles and to reimagine a system in which these principles can truly thrive.
Working in groups, participants will explore the concrete actions, strategies, and systemic changes needed to bring this future into reality. Guided by selected agroecological principles, they will consider the roles of various stakeholders—such as farmers, policymakers, and researchers—and reflect on how to enable this transformation. The session will conclude with a visualisation exercise, synthesising key insights and building a shared vision of pathways toward agroecological and post-growth futures.
Session highlights:
- Gain an in-depth understanding of the 13 Principles of Agroecology and how they align with post-growth visions.
- Explore Alnarp’s Agroecology Farm as a concrete example of agroecology in action.
- Engage in an interactive scenario-based workshop to design actionable strategies for food system transformation.
- Collaborate in creating a visual representation of a sustainable, post-growth future for agroecology.
By linking grounded practice with visionary thinking, this session offers an exciting opportunity to explore how agroecology and degrowth can reinforce one another in building socially just and ecologically resilient food systems.
More information here.