© ZIN

What does growth mean today—and how sustainable can it be?

Invitation to the conference “Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Growth in the Context of Sustainability” on May 12 and 13, 2025, in Münster

Growth—a term we often associate with progress and prosperity. But how does it fit in with the idea of sustainability? Does our economy really have to keep growing? Or are there other ways to make societies successful and environmentally sustainable at the same time?

These exciting questions will be explored at an interdisciplinary conference on May 12 and 13, 2025, at the Franz Hitze Haus in Münster. It is being organized by the Zentrum für Interdisziplinäre Nachhaltigkeitsforschung (ZIN) in cooperation with the Akademie Franz Hitze Haus. In course of the conference titled “Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Growth in the Context of Sustainability,” scholars from various disciplines will meet to discuss current challenges and future prospects.

The very first panel on Monday afternoon will be devoted to the topic of “Economic Systems.” Three renowned economists—Prof. Dr. Svenja Flechtner (University of Siegen), Prof. Dr. Michael Roos (Ruhr University Bochum), and Prof. Dr. Ulrich Pfister (University of Münster)—will discuss key issues relating to growth and prosperity:

  • Does a society need economic growth to achieve social progress?
  • What alternatives to the traditional growth model are there?
  • How realistic are so-called post-growth concepts?
  • Can technological innovations be a solution—or do they exacerbate existing environmental problems?

If you are interested in these and other perspectives on sustainable development, we cordially invite you to attend the conference. You can register for the conference here.

Program overview

Monday, May 12, 2025
13:30 Arrival & coffee

14:15 Welcome and introduction
(with Dr. Christian Müller, Prof. Doris Fuchs, Dr. Tobias Gumbert, Prof. Dr. Bodo Philipp)

15:00 Panel “Economic perspectives on growth”
(with Prof. Dr. Svenja Flechtner, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Pfister, Prof. Dr. Michael Roos)

16:30 Coffee, tea, cake

17:00 Panel “Scientific perspectives on growth”
(with Prof. Dr. Tillmann Buttschardt, Prof'in. Dr. Christine Lang, Prof. Dr. Christoph Schäfers)

18:30 Dinner

19:30 Panel “Sustainable finance and investments - impact investing as an approach”
(with Victor de la Rey, moderated by Dr. Tobias Gumbert)

from 21:00 Informal exchange

 

Tuesday, May 13, 2025
from 7:30 Breakfast for overnight guests

9:00 Panel “Growth in the context of (business) start-ups”
(with Prof. Dr. Tobias Brandt, Lea Kipper)

10:30  Coffee break

11:00 Panel “Communication about growth in different fields of action”
(with Dr. Yusif Idies, Prof'in. Dr. Sigrid Kannengießer, Prof. Dr. Niko Paech, Prof. Dr. Bodo Phillip)

12:30 Lunch

13:30 Working groups and workshops

15:00 Outlook and feedback session

15:45 End of conference