Open dialogues with Dr Melanie Rieback: Pathways to the economy of the future
Dr. Melanie Rieback, distinguished lecturer in Post Growth Entrepreneurship at the University of Amsterdam, award-winning innovator and director of the incubator Radically Open Security and the start-up Non-profit Ventures, will be at the centre of the events, dialogues. Join us and eminent Slovenian guests as we discuss: how innovative practices and strategies can transform our economic and business models into models of sustainable transformation on a global scale?
Companies are addicted to exponential growth. But is this good for our planet and our society? Post Growth Economists are talking about the unsustainability of growth for our planet and society. Our never ending quest for growth is causing climate change, human rights violations, threats to biodiversity, and unprecedented waste. During the COVID-19 economic crisis, the decoupling of the real economy from investors was never more obvious. Now is the time to reinvent our economy, and create a new “normal” for doing business.
Two events on Tuesday 4 June 2024
#1 Consultation with Key Stakeholders
Between 11:00 – 13:00h, Computer Museum, Ljubljana
Description #1
Dr. Rieback will talk to Matevz Frangez from the Ministry of Economy, Leja Drofenik Štibelj from the Ministry of Solidarity for the Future, Mojca Žganec Metelka from the Knof Institute and Matej Rus from Startup Slovenia (TBC). Moderated by Tea Šentjurc, journalist.
The aim of the panel is to stimulate dialogue between key stakeholders on the design of policies and practices that will steer the Slovenian economy in a sustainable direction. Registration for the consultation.
#2 Interactive lecture
Between 18:30 – 20:00h, Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana.
Description #2
Dr. Rieback will give a lecture, after which she will participate in a discussion with Dr. Ales Pustovrh from the Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana and Ana Struna Bregar from CER – Partnership for a Sustainable Economy. Moderated by Kim Turk Mehes, Deloitte Slovenia.
The aim is to hear something new, fresh, innovative about the necessity of the transition to regenerative and distributive business models, by presenting international practices and successful examples. Registration
In these two sessions we will discuss Entrepreneurship Beyond Growth, an entrepreneurial methodology for creating businesses that do not lead to financial extraction. Dr Melanie Rieback will make you question everything you know about entrepreneurship, give you practical tools to create something different and give you the “blue and red pill“.
What you can expect?
- Insights into concrete strategies and innovative practices that have already been successfully implemented internationally.
- An in-depth understanding and dialogue on how Slovenia, as a pioneer, can design its economy combining business success with ecological responsibility and social justice within planetary boundaries.
- An opportunity to exchange views and experiences with leading experts and innovators in the field of Post Growth Entrepreneurship.
- Empowering the interested public on the topic of entrepreneurship beyond growth and the economy of the future.
Both events will be held in English and will be open to the public, with a particular focus on engaging entrepreneurs, academics, politicians and other stakeholders in a dialogue on the future of our economy. Registration for both events is required as places are limited.
Quotes Dr Melanie Rieback:
“Business can be the most effective form of activism”
“Financial extraction is the original sin of business and finance”
Ajda Pistotnik, Director of the Policy Lab:
“To reorient the public and political space with new economic concepts and solutions that will help us safeguard the fate of the planet and future generations, and thus respond adequately to crises of all kinds.”
The two events also aim to identify the state of the art in an otherwise unexplored area: Post-growth entrepreneurship in Slovenia. The events are a contribution to the wider pan-European research on this topic in which Policy Lab is involved as part of the ‘GreenPaths‘ project under the Horizon Europe programme.
