Second International Conference on Environmental Peacebuilding GOING VIRTUAL*

Dec 7, 2021 | Environmental Peacebuilding Association and the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies

The Organizing Committee for the Second International Conference on Environmental Peacebuilding has decided to convert the hybrid format to an ostensibly virtual conference.

This announcement covers the following matters:

-        Reasons for converting to a virtual conference

-        Next steps

-        What do we mean “ostensibly virtual”?

Reasons for Converting to a Virtual Conference

The decision to convert the Second Conference to a virtual conference was difficult.  We were all very much looking forward to seeing one another after two years of COVID.  An in-person Second Conference meant a lot to many of us. The decision was motivated by:

-        The emergence of the highly contagious Omicron variant of COVID-19. 

-        The sustained high COVID rates in Switzerland and many neighboring countries.

-        The onset of winter, and particularly the Christmas and New Year holiday break (last year there was a surge in cases following the holidays).

-        All of this is driving efforts by governments to impose restrictions on travel and events.  As of today, it is possible to hold events in Geneva, but restrictions (such as on drinks and eating) mean that we would not be able to have coffee breaks or other networking events.

-        We are concerned that both Switzerland and other countries (including your home countries and potential transit countries) may impose travel bans or quarantines in the New Year. These travel bans and quarantines might make it impossible or impractical for many participants to join us.  And waiting until January to make the decision would not give you much time to make your travel plans, and it would mean a lot of last-minute adjustments.  As it is, we have almost two months to adjust to a virtual format.

Next Steps

The Conference Organizing Committee is developing an agenda for a virtual conference.  It is likely to run from Tuesday, February 1, through Friday, February 4 (rather than February 2-4 for the original hybrid conference). 

-        We will have a plenary session on most days from 3:00 to 4:30 pm Geneva time (9:00 am DC and 10:00 pm in Perth).

-        Where possible, we will keep the virtual sessions as scheduled (as long as it does not conflict with the new plenary session). 

-        For the formerly in-person sessions, we will try to reschedule them to be convenient for the locations of the speakers.

Once we have the revised agenda for the virtual Conference, we will reach out to the speakers and session organizers regarding their new slots to organize the virtual panel. The poster session will continue in a virtual format. The trainings will continue in a virtual format; we are reaching out to the trainers to confirm which trainings will be available virtually.

Other details:

-        We anticipate having all the plenary sessions and a number of the breakout sessions available in English, French, and Spanish (simultaneous interpretation).

-        There is (still) no registration fee.

-        If you have not yet registered, please do so at https://www.environmentalpeacebuilding.org/conferences/2nd-international-conference-on-environmental-peacebuilding/registration/

-        We are encouraging you all to help the registration process.  Please help us get the word out! 

What do we mean “ostensibly virtual”?

While we are planning for a virtual conference (i.e., all sessions on-line, none in-person), we are exploring the possibility that there might be some localized in-person nodes where people might gather.  This would be particularly for sessions that largely include people from one city.  We are considering doing this in Geneva, Nairobi, Bogota, and Washington, DC, among other venues.  We are investigating the options now and anticipate making a decision regarding the in-person nodes in January.  If you are interested in hosting an in-person node, please let us know at conference@environmentalpeacebuilding.org

We thank you for your understanding and ongoing support.  As always, if you have any questions, please contact us at conference@environmentalpeacebuilding.org.

Carl Bruch, Päivi Lujala, Lauren Risi, Erika Weinthal, and Achim Wennmann

The Conference Organizing Committee