'An Economy of Enough in a Time of Crisis and Opportunity': Earth Day conference

Description

Landmark Earth Day Conference in Belfast
This Earth Day (22nd April), a unique collaboration between Join the Dots Together, Queen’s University Belfast’s Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action (SECA), and the QUB REACH Festival will host a participatory conference: “An Economy of Enough in a Time of Crisis and Opportunity.”

Taking place from 09:30 to 13:00 in the Canada Room, Lanyon Building, QUB, the event arrives at a critical juncture for Northern Ireland. Against a backdrop of deepening climate urgency and rising social inequality, the conference aims to shift the narrative from despair to practical, community-led solutions.

The event is headlined by Dr. Lorna Gold, Executive Director of the Laudato Sì Movement. Dr. Gold recently facilitated the high-profile "Raising Hope" summit in Rome, an event that successfully bridged the gap between global influencers, including Pope Leo and Arnold Schwarzenegger, and grassroots activists.

“We are moving from ideas to solutions: concrete, practical solutions which are community-driven and scalable,” says Dr. Gold. This ethos is the heartbeat of the Belfast gathering.

Beyond the Traditional Conference, the morning will utilize a World Café model facilitated by Dr Amanda Slevin. This allows attendees to move beyond passive listening and engage directly in dialogue with local pioneers who are already building a "new economy." Featured initiatives include:

Jubilee Farm: Northern Ireland’s first community-owned farm.

Community Energy & Circular Economy Networks: Local solutions for energy independence and waste reduction.

The Economy of Francesco: A global movement of young economists reimagining capitalism.

The Westcourt Photo Exhibition: A visual exploration of community dignity and inclusion, highlighting the role of the arts in social change.

Local Roots, Values Inspired, Global Impact: While the conference addresses global themes like the transition away from fossil fuels, it remains firmly rooted in local soil, touching on concerns such as the future of the Sperrins and regional economic resilience. “Following on from the Irish Council of Churches' 'Let Justice Flow like Rivers' event in January, there is a growing sense that we cannot wait for change to happen elsewhere,” says Juanita Majury of the Join the Dots Together Steering Group. “This event is about recognizing that the seeds of a different economy are already here—and that each of us has a role in helping them grow.”

Event Details:

An Economy of Enough in a Time of Crisis and Opportunity

22nd April (Earth Day), 09:30 – 13:00

Canada Room, Lanyon Building, Queen’s University Belfast

Registration: https://www.ticketsource.com/qubseca/t-dkvyeve

Contact: Juanita Majury, [email protected] 07907929608

Period	22 Apr 2026
Event type	Conference
Degree of Recognition	National