TC/ESG25 Call for Proposals
We are pleased to announce that submissions are now open for the Transformations Community/Earth System Governance Conference 2025 (TC/ESG25) in South Africa, focusing on Navigating Sustainability Transformations towards Justice and Equity.
Submission Themes
The 2025 TC/ESG Conference will feature a programmatic focus on navigating sustainability transformations towards justice and equity. Achieving a fair and inclusive future where we live well within the limits of our planet requires societies to undergo transformations that will enhance the quality of life for both present and future generations, and across species. These sustainability transformations must address existing injustices, including those produced by systems of domination such as colonialism, while also ensuring that new inequities are not created in the process. This conference aims to bring together academics and practitioners that are navigating these complexities in their work to share their insights and build new transdisciplinary collaborations towards building sustainable and just futures.
We welcome theoretical contributions alongside practical techniques, strategies, workshops, and case studies. Theoretical work coupled with case studies and examples of how practices can drive systemic change are highly encouraged, ensuring actionable insights and transformative impacts. This approach aims to bridge the gap between conceptual understanding and real-world applications, fostering a comprehensive dialogue that encompasses both academic rigor and practical relevance. Submissions are welcome within the following four sub-themes:
Bridging and Bonding Worlds
This theme emphasizes collaborative community engagement and participatory methods and processes. It focuses on how multiple knowledge systems, world views, and social-ecological norms influence the conceptualization and implementation of sustainability initiatives. Contributions could address aspects of participatory governance including community projects, leadership within networks, enabling change-agents, and capacity-exchange programs that support community participation. We especially encourage submissions that showcase South-South dialogue and that foreground indigenous and local knowledge systems. Specific topics could include participatory methods for visioning and collaboration, confronting issues of colonization, and achieving equity in knowledge co-production across marine and terrestrial social-ecological systems. Art-science and other inter and trans-disciplinary collaborations are especially welcomed.
Disruptive Change
This theme examines the rapid and often disruptive nature of technological, cultural, political and economic changes and their implications for sustainability transformations. It invites presentations and innovative sessions exploring strategies to combat the negative impacts of technological developments as well as ways to harness disruptive changes in ways that can foster transformations to benefit all segments of society, including marginalized groups. Examples of possible topics include managing the impacts of AI and machine learning on the environment and communities, integrating systems sensing for navigating eco-social crises, technology for improved data monitoring and transparency, and governance strategies for developing and deploying smart technologies. Economic innovation is also included here, such as sustainable finance models and new ways to address the economic impacts of technological adoption.
Governance and Multilateralism Under Pressure
This theme invites contributions on the relationship between democracy and sustainability transformations and the mechanisms to bolster innovative democratic processes, enhance multilateral cooperation, and develop governance models that support sustainability and address power dynamics. Topics include innovative pathways for transformation, such as strategies to navigate political challenges and resource constraints, and generating knowledge and processes for justly and equitably implementing global environmental agreements like the Paris Agreement and the Global Biodiversity Framework. Emphasis is placed on citizen engagement and participatory democracy, as well as effective legal and policy interventions and governance frameworks that bring together diverse stakeholders across all scales.
Transformative Culture and Learning for Navigating Aspirational Futures
This theme explores the critical role of cultural narratives, imaginative approaches, and innovative educational practices in driving sustainability transformations. It emphasizes the integration of inner transformations, well-being, and leadership development in shaping values and norms that support transformative change from local to global levels. Contributions can address methods for fostering a culture of sustainability, including participatory visioning and pathway development, storytelling, and creative problem-solving. Key topics include transformative learning methods, educational innovations, lifelong learning, art and media, decolonial praxis, and scaling successful practices appropriately. Additionally, it covers ensuring inclusion and access for under-represented communities and knowledge systems, acknowledging the ‘dark side’ of transformation processes.
Session Types
Speed Talk Sessions are designed to accommodate a variety of short presentations, allowing presenters to briefly share key insights, followed by deeper, small-group discussions. The format encourages concise communication of ideas and facilitates in-depth discussions tailored to participants’ interests.
Integrated Panel-Dialogue Sessions combine brief presentations with interactive and discursive elements. This format is intended for pre-organized sessions. This format allows for concise insights from panelists, interspersed with facilitated discussions, group activities, and interactive engagement. The goal is to encourage deep collaboration, synthesis of ideas, and active participation from all attendees.
This session type offers a flexible format to facilitate dynamic, participatory conversations and thematic discussions. It encourages deep engagement, cross-pollination of ideas, and interactive dialogue among participants. Sessions can be designed using different structures such as World Café or Fishbowl Conversations, allowing for various modes of engagement while focusing on topical insights and collaborative exploration.
The T-Lab or Transformations Lab offers a flexible and dynamic format to explore transformative practices, policies, or a combination of both. It emphasizes hands-on experiences, interactive methods, and collaborative dialogue to foster significant change and knowledge co-production. Sessions will be up to 1.5 hours long (double allocations for 3hr-sessions can be requested) and can include a variety of formats such as tool demonstrations, working methods, processes, games, exercises, or policy discussions. The goal is to engage practitioners, policy makers, scholars, and community members in a dynamic exchange of ideas and practices.
We recognize that transformations require creative, inspiring, and restorative spaces and practices. This session invites proposals for incorporating the arts and alternative modes of expression into the conference, providing opportunities for performance, film, and other creative practices that contribute to the theme of transformation. These sessions aim to engage participants in new and innovative ways, fostering a deeper connection to the themes of the conference.
We invite you to submit proposals for TransAction workshops to be held on Sunday, August 17th, 2025, just before the TC/ESG Conference 2025. These workshops, lasting anywhere from 3 hours to the whole day, are designed to engage transdisciplinary scholars and action researchers in hands-on, skills-oriented sessions that promote innovation in the field of sustainability transformations.
We are looking for workshops that emphasize practical skills, competencies, and interactive methods to facilitate deep learning and collaboration. Insights and outcomes from these workshops will be shared during the conference’s opening plenary, helping to frame the discussions throughout the event.
Proposal Criteria
Individuals may submit only one proposal, either as a primary author or as a named speaker/facilitator. This policy ensures the widest possible participation by allowing a diverse range of voices and ideas to be included in the program. If you have opted to present in person but more presentations are accepted than can be accommodated in person at the conference venue, you may be asked to present in one of the online sessions.
Key criteria for selection will include the extent to which a proposal:
- Focuses on the themes of the conference and demonstrates Sustainability Transformations Toward Justice and Equity
- Directly relates to transformations and clearly states the transformation approach
- Explicitly links knowledge / knowledge generation with actions, impacts, and solutions
- Demonstrates a transdisciplinary or multi-sectoral approach
- Considers participant engagement, before during and after the conference
- Is clearly articulated, original, and well justified
We particularly welcome sessions that:
- Consider equity, accessibility, and social inclusion concerns
- Consider the inclusion of Indigenous and local knowledge in transformation processes
- Are led by speakers from low and middle income countries or indigenous communities
- Showcase examples or research that are internationally applicable/adaptable
- Are two way/multi-way knowledge exchange or co-production experiences
- Are original, creative or non-traditional in format
Visa and Submission Requirements for Attendees
If you require an invitation letter for visa purposes, please indicate this in your submission. For those traveling to South Africa, we recommend applying for a ‘Visitor’s Visa’ that aligns with your purpose, such as ‘business visitor activities,’ ‘attending a conference or expo,’ or ‘holiday.’
Important: Visa requirements and conditions can vary based on nationality and specific circumstances. Please check the South African Department of Home Affairs website or consult your local South African embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information.
If you have any questions, please contact ipo@earthsystemgovernance.org.
2025 TC/ESG Conference Committee
If you have any questions about the 2025 Earth System Governance conference, you can reach out to the organising committee. We will get back to you regarding your questions within a few working days.