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Regenerative approaches involve not only actions taken for the benefit of nature and people, but collaboration with them. Changing perspectives this way unveils previously unimaginable opportunities for both research and businesses.
In regenerative businesses, the vitality of nature and people are woven into every aspect of strategy and operations. Scientific exploration of regeneration, on the other hand, spans diverse fields, ranging from biology to business and management studies to cultural studies and design.
The event features a keynote interview by Daniel Christian Wahl, a prominent catalyst of a shift towards regenerative cultures. Inspiration is also sought from business cases and experiences from a deep dive into regenerative business and leadership. Digital tools are used to engage the audience in interaction with representatives of sciences and businesses.
The event takes place on Friday 14 June at 11.00-12.45 at University of Helsinki, Main Building, and it is streamed online. It is organised by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra as part of the global Sustainability Research and Innovation congress (SRI). The event is free of charge but requires prior registration. No registration to the SRI congress is needed.
The Sustainability Research & Innovation Congress (SRI) unites global leaders in research, government, civil society, and business to meaningfully advance progress towards sustainability. In 2024, the congress will be organized in collaboration with Sustainability Science Days (SSD) as a joint effort between the University of Helsinki and Aalto University.
Materials
What did the participants think about regeneration? AI generated summary of responses (PDF)
How to apply narrative foresight to future economies (article)
Programme
| 11.00 |
Welcome!
Eeva Hellström and Taru Ryske, Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra
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|---|---|
| 11.10 |
Keynote interview: Sustainability is not enough – we need regenerative cultures
Daniel Christian Wahl, PhD – consultant, educator, activist
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| 11.40 |
Deep dive into regenerative business and leadership
The video is produced in cooperation between the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra and the Finnish Business and Society (FIBS).
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| 11.45 |
Becoming regenerative – Emerging innovation and business cases
Tuukka Toivonen, Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London and Delfina Fantini van Ditmar, Royal College of Art, London
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| 12.00 |
Science meets businesses – Raising questions and ideas for the future.
Discussion session with representatives of science and business, using interactive digital tools to engage the audience.
Minna Halme, Aalto University, Finland
Katri Einola, Ramboll Daniel Christian Wahl, PhD – consultant, educator, activist Tuukka Toivonen, Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London |
| 12.40 |
Keynote listener
Kimmo Lipponen, Finnish Business & Society (FIBS)
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| 12.45 |
Closing of the event
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Speakers
- Daniel Christian Wahl is a catalyst of a shift towards regenerative cultures. He works as a consultant, educator and activist with NGOs, businesses, governments and global change agents. With degrees in biology and holistic science, and a PhD in Design for Human and Planetary Health, his work has greatly influenced the emerging fields of regenerative and salutogenic design.
- Tuukka Toivonen, Ph.D. (Oxon), is a Reader in Regenerative Creativity at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London and a faculty member at STEaPP, University College London. He is a sociologist interested in ways of being, relating and creating that allow us to reconnect with – and regenerate – the living world. Tuukka leads the ESRC-funded Becoming Regenerative project that investigates how regenerative designs and startups emerge.
- Delfina Fantini van Ditmar, PhD, is a biologist, educator and design researcher. Her practice is concerned with ecological thinking, reflective practices, epistemological paradigms and alternative futures. Delfina has co-founded the Design and Ethics SIG at the Design Research Society and worked as a Senior Tutor in Innovation Design Engineering, a joint course between the Royal College of Art and Imperial College London. She currently works at the MA Fashion revisioning the discipline.
- Minna Halme is a professor of Sustainability Management at Aalto University School of Business, where she heads Sustainability in Business Research. Her research focuses on co-creation of sustainability innovations, sustainable business models, and organizing for poverty alleviation. She is member of Finland’s Sustainable Development Expert Panel advising the Finnish Government.
- Katri Einola is MA in creative sustainability with a passion for regeneration and design. She has a broad multidisciplinary background including e.g. the fields of sustainability, design, marketing, foresight, entrepreneurship and horticulture. She works as the Lead of Regenerative approach in Ramboll’s global Transport market, focusing on bringing regenerative thinking into infrastructure, urban development, and mobility.
- Kimmo Lipponen is the CEO of Finnish Business and Society (FIBS). He has a long experience in driving social enterprises and corporate social responsibility. FIBS is the largest corporate responsibility network in the Nordic countries. It supports sustainability changemakers in accelerating change and helps Finnish companies to combine sustainability and business on a practical level.
- Eeva Hellström is a senior lead in foresight and training at the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra. She is an environmental economist with roots in forestry. Within her foresight activities, she has had a particular interest in scanning new approaches to sustainable economy. Eeva is among the first actors introducing ideas of a regenerative economy to Finland.
