CALL FOR PROPOSALS!
“Just Transitions: How Can We Fight the Climate Crisis and Achieve Economic and Social Justice?”
April 3-5, 2025
University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME 04103
Event Overview:
The urgency of the climate crisis has sparked movements calling for the immediate shut down of polluting industries such as coal plants, pipelines, and refineries while promoting green infrastructure and electric vehicles, thus ushering in a new, “green economy.” Proponents of the “green economy” often discuss public health and Earth’s future, while overlooking workers and communities affected by these transitions. The concept of a “just transition” seeks to ensure workers’ livelihoods and community well-being during these shifts to a new economy, but its meaning is widely debated.
Does a just transition simply consist of a “superfund for workers” or is it also a chance to undo oppression of marginalized groups who have historically borne the brunt of environmental injustice? How do we not only protect the livelihoods of workers currently employed in polluting industries, but also ensure that new Green Jobs are Union Jobs that give workers power in the workplace? How do we protect communities from “green washing” of exploitative business practices? This Summit will create space to examine and debate these questions from diverse perspectives.
Proposal Guidelines:
We invite submissions from individuals or groups at all stages of their academic and professional journeys, such as community activists, union leaders, scholars, undergraduate and graduate students, faculty members, researchers, and individuals from diverse backgrounds who are passionate about creating a sustainable, just, and equitable future.
We encourage submissions from people of marginalized identities; Working Class, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color; LGBTQIA+ people; and disabled people/people with disabilities. This conference aims to bring together a wide range of voices and perspectives on the topic of “Just Transition.”
Topics:
Please read here for suggested topics and themes: https://docs.google.com/
Formats:
We encourage submissions that embrace a variety of formats to engage diverse audiences and provide participatory learning experiences. Below are suggested formats, but we encourage creativity and diversity in how you approach these themes:
-
Workshops-60-75 minutes: Interactive workshops that prioritize community-based, participatory learning methods are highly encouraged. We encourage workshops in a popular education style that should engage participants as co-learners, drawing from their own experiences to build collective knowledge and solutions.
-
Roundtable Discussions (up to 5 people, 75 minutes): Roundtable discussions include multiple presenters who share their work or experience on a similar topic. The discussion will invite attendees to contribute ideas, questions, and solutions in a more informal, conversational setting. These discussions can be focused on specific questions or problems, encouraging brainstorming and network-building among participants.
-
Case Study Presentations-60-75 minutes: Proposals for individual or group presentations that focus on case studies of successful just transitions. These sessions should provide attendees with insights into real-world applications, challenges, successes, and transferable ideas.
-
Panel Discussion-75 minutes: Panels that bring together experts, activists, and community members to discuss cross-cutting issues. We encourage panels that represent diverse perspectives.
Submission Format: Please include a title, 250-500 word description, proposed format, and presenter bio(s).
Submit Proposals to: https://bit.ly/
Event Registration is available here: https://bit.ly/
Timeline:
Deadline for Submission: January 10, 2025
Notification to Presenters: January 31, 2025