Green and Just Transition 2024

GREEN & JUST TRANSITION CONFERENCE 2024

28th November -1st December 2024, in Narva & Narva-Jõesuu, Estonia

To explore and highlight the key issues for achieving a sustainable and prosperous future of Europe by empowering inclusivity and equity in policy making, resilient communities and the urgent need for quality green jobs for all.

OVERVIEW

Green and Just Transition Conference 2024 is a three-day event (29th, 30th November and 1st December 204) that will include an intensive programme of high-level discussions, working groups, development of the civil society and international stakeholders’ appeal (declaration) to the international community. A one-day preparatory meeting and visits in Estonian Parliament and Estonian representation of the European Commission will be organised for the high level experts and invited speakers on the 27th and 28th November 2024 in Tallinn.

The geopolitical shock and the consequences following the Russian invasion of Ukraine are also influencing security and democracy development in three key areas: environment, economy and digital collaboration. It has  also increased global challenges in acheiving green and just transition, enhancing Nordic-Baltic security policies awareness  after becoming NATO members and generating both a global & regional influence particularly on the Mediterranean region on economic and environmental security.  We will discuss the role of CSOs and different stakeholders in achieving sustainable development goals, support green and just transition in economic and social sectors and how to adapt societies to new realities. Key socio-economic, sustainable and environmental policy issues will be discussed mostly from the perspective of the Euro-Mediterranean region, Northern and Eastern parts of Europe.

The conference is an opportunity to reaffirm the significance and the importance of the work of the European Union, Nordic Council and its member states for promoting sustainable future in the region and achieving a safer, greener, socially sustainable and digitally integrated community. The conference will connect regional networks of practitioners, distinguished policymakers, civil society organisations, business representatives, analysts, politicians, military personnel representatives, academics, media and international donors from Europe and foreign actors of the Nordic-Baltic, Euro-Mediterranean regions and abroad.

At this conference, the Narva Declaration will be finalised and approved, together with local Citizens’ Action plans, which will be submitted to the European Commission, International Institutions, international and governmental organizations, media and various of thematic networks who is working on achievement of peace, security, democracy, rule of law and  support of CSOs in Build Resilient Societies.

The conference is co-organised by a consortium of international partners from Green Habito Network member countries.

The conference will be co-financed in amount of 30 000 EUR by the European Union Cohesion Policy Fund and others sponsors (the British Council, Nordic Council of Ministers office in Estonia, Estonian National Foundation of Civil Society) and Green Habito network members.

THE MAIN AIM

The purpose of the “Green and Just Transition conference 2024″ is to bring together European and Estonian experts, interest groups, civil society networks and various interested parties to discuss challenges, share views and experiences on the topic of a just transition to the green transition. The conference will particularly focus on how to implement political commitments and agreements, focusing on the implementation process and sharing lessons learned from the various experiences so far with both local and international guests.

The goals of the conference are to hold discussions on these three main topics, find solutions to problems, exchange good practices and prepare proposals for stakeholders and decision-makers. It is important to promote cooperation and create functional cooperation networks between youth, non-governmental organizations, entrepreneurs and state representatives, creating a platform for joint initiatives and projects that support the development of green technology and sustainable tourism and promote a just and sustainable transition. As a result of the conference, concrete proposals and cooperation initiatives will be drafted, which will contribute to the promotion of the green transition both locally and internationally.

Additional objectives include:

• To explore how to use digital technologies to promote and engage communities and individuals to help achieve resilient society targeting environmental, sustainable approaches  and human rights protections;
• To identify how UN SDGs may be implemented on both local and international levels;
• To share practical skills on how to utilise the existing international aspects  mechanisms of green and just transition, achieve the green deal goals, integrate green economy and digital instruments to improve security, energy efficiency and climate  policies, sustainability of society and develop better tools for good governance and dialogue withing regions.
• To support further development of Green Habito network and empowerment of stakeholders, government representatives and other relevant organisations to implement the outputs of the International conference and contribute to dialogue on establishing peace and security in Europe;

At the end of the conference, a declaration of the conference will be prepared with proposals for a specific solution for the civil society sector on how to cope with the various challenges and promote their work during the crisis.

TARGET AUDIENCE

The international event is open to all interested individuals, representatives from public, private and civil society sectors whose work is connected directly or indirectly with politics, civil society, media, security questions and the UN SDG-s. We welcome youth organisations, educational institutions, finance and industry leaders, academics, researchers, legislators, planners and policy specialists in all relevant areas, representatives from International institutions, intergovernmental organisations, governments, ministries or departments, business representatives, international donors, national and regional human rights organisations. For international participants a total of 120 places are made available.

THE PROGRAMME

The programme will consist of plenary lectures and speeches, panel discussions, workshops, study visits, a round table and Working groups in World Café discussions format involving all participants. Participants will be expected to share their experience – and present to younger participants and CSOs their perspectives on the ‘art of the possible.’ They will also be expected to deliver targets and action ideas for implementation at local, national and international levels. The conference will focus on how to implement political and agreements, focusing on the implementation process and sharing lessons learned from this process so far with both local and international guests. We will achieve that by dissiminating the acquired knowledge and the conference outcomes to among CSOs, research and political institutions, communities and individuals involved to be used back in their home countries.

The main topics of conference in 2024:
1. Green and fair transition from policy to implementation.
2. Sustainable tourism,  culture, green technology and entrepreneurship.
3. Climate Change and Energy crisis
3. The role of civil society organizations as a catalyst for change in the green revolution
4. Human rights based approach to the implementation and monitoring of SDGs.
5. Youth vision of agenda 2030 and it’s impact/spillover effect?

See the full programm here.

THE VENUE

Narva is a border town with Russia, which has historically been under both Swedish and Russian rule. Narva is located in a socially and economically difficult area, which is populated by a Russian minority community. Narva, which is over 95% Russian-speaking, is the third-largest town in Estonia. Narva is also one of the easternmost points of the current European Union map.

Narva College has engaged in a mission to enhance awareness about the history of the city among locals as well as guests. The inauguration of the new college building was also vital in reviving the city’s history. The college is situated in the heart of Narva’s old town, next to the surviving baroque Town Hall.

The modern building combines an innovative study environment featuring present-day conveniences, while paying homage to the former old town. The oddly protruding roof commemorates the once stately stock-exchange building, which, before its destruction in the war, used to partly screen the Town Hall from public view.

The present college building begins directly behind the location of the former stock exchange so as to leave the Town Hall fully visible this time. All that remains of the stock-exchange building are the underground walls and the basements, which were restored at the time of the college’s construction and are now used for exhibitions, concerts and theatrical events. Allusions to the city’s history are also noticeable inside the college building. Walls of lecture rooms, for example, are coloured according to fashions that were followed in baroque Narva, and it is no coincidence that the college’s window-pane patterns resemble those of the neighbouring Town Hall. On a rainy day, one can see our version of the famous Narva waterfalls in the courtyard of the college. Those who have some time to spare can take the lift to Floor 4 and look down at the street from the high protruding roof ‘beak’ — this is intended for guests’ enjoyment, just like the entire building, which has developed into a tourist attraction of Narva.

ACCOMMODATION

All the delegates are accommodated in two hotels: Ingver Meresuu Spa & Hotel and Narva Hotel. The conference fee consists of accommodation in shared rooms. Private rooms are available on request and additional fee.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES

The working language is English and Arabic translations will be provided.

Health issues

This Conference is designed as a hybrid event with most participants attending in person but organisers will provide possobility to join virtually for interested experts and CSO representatives from across Europe, Nordic and EuroMed regions.

REGISTRATION

The delegates are invited to participate in Green and Just Transition Conference 2024  by submitting their applications.

Registration Fees:

• 275 EUR for foreign delegates (all inclusive) / a light package is also available please contact us
• 150 EUR for Estonian delegates

The participation fee includes:

• Attendance at the 3-day conference
• 3 nights of accommodation (shared)
• Meals provided during the conference agenda 
• Local transportation
• Cultural and Social programm
  
  *Optional services such as museum visits, receptions, and a celebration party will also be available.

If your application has been accepted, we request each delegate to confirm the participation in 7 days by sending a letter to registration@sscw.ee or by phone +372 55602993.

More information, please write: Mr. Vassili Golikov – vassili@sscw.ee

NETWORKING

Please join the Conference Facebook group here