NetworkNature Annual Event, 25 Sept. – Brussels, Belgium

Registrations are now OPEN : Registration link

This year’s NetworkNature Annual Conference | Busting myths: People ̶o̶r̶ with nature will focus on ‘busting myths’ in relation to ecosystem restoration and management. This event will revolve around myths that practice, research, policy making, and business are busting or that need to be busted to bring about transformative change and reverse biodiversity loss. The concept of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) and their features will arise from busting the myths, acknowledging that restoring nature is not a luxury but a necessity and an opportunity that brings many advantages, including in economic terms, and highlighting the potential of NbS to identify, capture and build on synergistic relationships between nature and people. Through case studies, personal and professional insights, research advancements and governance initiatives, the attendees will explore inspiring approaches for people and nature, with people and nature.

The widespread idea that people and nature are necessarily conflicting will be debunked through guiding experiences where people and nature exist through and benefit from each other.

The audience, including policymakers, local authorities, researchers, innovators, land planners and managers, investors and businesses, educators, artists, and society at large will be challenged by different presentations. They will debunk preconceived notions regarding the restoration, conservation, protection, management, and use of land and seas. The agenda will be structured in such a way to cover three key elements, namely the regenerating nature actions, governance and policy, and economy and valuation. Additionally, participants will be invited to engage in active debates and will have the opportunity to propose their own myths to bust.

Through a series of panel discussions, presentations as well as interactive activities and artistic components, the event will look at common myths about ecosystem management, while providing insights and knowledge on how NbS contribute to busting these myths and provide opportunities. This will be framed within current EU policy developments. The definition of the myths and presentations will be shaped through a dedicated open call as well as with a lineup of great speakers. The open call will invite NbS projects’ representatives and other relevant stakeholders to bring forward common myths they have encountered in relation to ecosystem management with respect to the three abovementioned elements, and the solutions they have put in place, with a clear emphasis on the synergistic relationship between nature and people and the role of NbS.

Can I contribute ?

Yes ! We invite you to share your insights by proposing your own myth to bust  and/or by exhibiting your own case study poster. Find out more about these two open-calls below :

• Open call: Bust your myth
• Open call: Bring your poster

We look forward to see you on September 25th, 2024 !

Event Agenda

Speakers tbc

Introduction

• 9:15 – 9:20 : Welcome speech
• 9:20 – 9:30 : Keynote speaker speech

Busting myths on regenerating nature

• 9:30 – 10:00 : Presentations – Regenerating nature :  Soil & Water
• 10:00 – 10:25 : Panel – A change of paradigm in water and soil management
• 10:25 – 10:45 : Presentations – Regenerating nature : Land uses
• 10:45 – 11:10 : Panel – Sharing landscapes

Coffee break

Busting myths on nature governance

• 11:35 – 11:55 : Presentations – Nature governance : Nature for people
• 11:55 – 12:20 : Panel – Nature for people
• 12:20 – 12:40 : Presentations – Nature governance : People for nature
• 12:40 – 13:05 : Panel – People for nature

Lunch break

Busting myths on the value of nature

• 14:35 – 15:00 : Presentations – The value of nature : An under-estimated matter
• 15:00 – 15:25 : Panel – Revaluing nature
• 15:25 – 15:45 : Presentations – The value of nature : Economy for and with nature
• 15:45 – 16:10 : Panel – Economy for and with nature

Conclusions

• 16:10 – 16:30 Final speech and conclusions

Coffee break

Parallel sessions and site visits : 16:45 – 18:30

Venue : Théâtre National Wallonie-Bruxelles, Bd Émile Jacqmain 111-115, 1000 Brussels