Why do we need to establish a new paradigm on circular economy in Europe? How holistic, interdisciplinary and intersectorial approaches could contribute to solve global challenges we are facing around sustainability? How can companies and territories enhance the loop closing? How local, traditional, and indigenous knowledge could help building a resilient society based on cooperation and reciprocity? This event brings together Franco-Finnish speakers and experts on the circular economy and sustainability science, coming from different research disciplines and different sectors.

As a World Circular Economy Forum Side event, the conference is held in English and organised by the Embassy of France to Finland, the Institut Français of Finland, CERDI (CNRS/UCA), the European Centre of Excellence on Sustainability and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra.

The conference will be introduced by Agnès Cukierman, Ambassador of France in Finland, Emma Kari, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change of Finland, and Petri Peltonen Under-Secretary of State from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland.

The keynote will be delivered by Mathieu Leporini, researcher at the European Center of Excellence on Sustainability, on the theme “From a circular economy to a circular society: a holistic approach towards a resilient and sustainable economy”

It will be followed by a panel discussion:

Kari Herlevi, Director, Circular Economy for Biodiversity - The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra

Susanna Lehvävirta, Research Director, Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science – University of Helsinki

Petrus Kautto, Director, Programme for Sustainable Circular economy – Finnish Environment Institute Syke

Saara Alakorva and Teemu Loikkanen, Researchers – University of Lapland

Mira Jarkko, Project manager, cluster programme for Circular Economy – City of Helsinki

Anne Kaiser, Sustainability Manager – Saint Gobain

The discussion will be moderate by Johanna Kohl, Director, Circular Bioeconomy Research Programme - Natural Resources Institute Finland Luke.