Connected risks, connected solutions?

Humanity seems to be moving towards a new predicament of multiple, global and interconnected risks. The "food crisis" in 2008-2009; the financial crash of 2009; recurrent outbreaks of novel infectious diseases; and the cascading impacts of ongoing climate change, are some recent examples. What are some of the best ways to address such global connected risks? Which tangible global governance pathways exist, how realistic are existing international reform proposals, and what would they imply?

These are the kind of issues that will be discussed during the seminar and that also are explored in the new report "Connected Risks, Connected Solutions?". The report includes the following four main messages:

- Social science insights about the governance of connected global risks remain fragmented, but are complementary .
- Different models of governance address different critical functions needed to govern global connected risks.
- There are several highly policy-relevant research gaps with respect to innovation, legitimacy, and adaptability in the face of non-linear change.
- Transformative changes of the governance of global environmental risks are, indeed, possible.

Programme
8.30: Coffee and mingle 

9.00: Welcome, Dennis Pamlin from the Global Challenges Foundation 

9.10: Intro by Johan Rockström (Director, Stockholm Resilience Centre and board member, Global Challenges Foundation): Global risks in the Anthropocene 

9.20: Presentation of the new synthesis report, Victor Galaz (lead author, Stockholm Resilience Centre)

9.40: Reflections from invited experts

- Jonas Ebbesson, Professor of Environmental Law, Stockholm University

- Fiona Rotberg, PhD Executive Director (Acting) Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation 

- Comment, Maja Fjaestad state secretary to cabinet minister Kristina Persson (Minister for Strategy, Future Issues and Nordic cooperation)

10.00: Moderated discussion + questions from the audience

Sign up
The seminar is free of charge and open to the public but with limited seats
Sign up on this link no later than 14 November.

A download link to the report and additional information, such as an interactive database, will be sent 4 days in advance to those who sign up to the seminar. 

The report is the result of collaboration between scholars from a broad range of disciplines in several parts of the world including Jonas Tallberg (political science, Sweden), Ellen Hey (international law, Netherlands), Arjen Boin (crisis management, Netherlands) and Frances Westley (innovation studies, Canada), amongst others. 

Recommended citation for this report: Galaz, V., D. Galafassi, J. Tallberg, A. Boin, E. Hey, C. Ituarte-Lima, J. Dunagan, P. Olsson, R. Österbergh and F. Westley (2014). Connected Risks, Connected Solutions. Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, and the Global Challenges Foundation, Stockholm

About the Global Challenges Foundation
The Global Challenges Foundation works to raise awareness of the greatest threats facing humanity. In particular climate change, other environmental damage and political violence, and how these threats are linked to poverty and the rapid growth in global population.

These problems appear insurmountable without an international body with decision-making mandate. The Foundation is therefore working to identify possible solutions and models as to how the United Nation can develop, and initiate new ideas on working global governance.

Read more about the Global Challenges Foundation here