The world's and Finland's biggest sustainability science events under the same roof next year

The international conference will take place from 10 to 15 June 2024 at the central campus of the University of Helsinki and the campus of Aalto University in Otaniemi.

Sustainability Science Days is Finland's largest sustainability science conference, and it will be organized next year for the seventh time, now in cooperation with the SRI congress. The SRI Congress (Sustainability Research and Innovation) is an international scientific event to promote sustainable development research and innovation. More than 2,000 international sustainable development experts and researchers are expected at the event.

- The urgency and complexity of the current sustainability crisis challenges us all. At the University of Helsinki we believe passionately that with the power of scientific knowledge and boundary breaking collaboration, we create a fairer, healthier and more sustainable world. We look forward to building a transformative SRI event that has a real, global impact on the future, says Tom Böhling, vice rector for Sustainable Development and Responsibility at the University of Helsinki.

- Building a sustainable future is at the core of all activities. We are very happy that we can join forces and bring together researchers and different stakeholders for Finland’s largest sustainability science conference. We need sustainability science, research and innovations now more than ever, says Ossi Naukkarinen, vice president responsible for research at Aalto University.

SRI provides a platform for discussion, networking and sharing information and ideas. The event brings together sustainability researchers, government and civil society experts, other stakeholders and innovators from around the world.

- We gather together a large group of experts to consider difficult questions – how can we secure the future of humans and other species, and how do we react to the climate crises, nature loss and other serious environmental problems. We challenge all actors in society to come together, so that societies can make wise decisions, says Susanna Lehvävirta, director of the University of Helsinki's Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS).

The SRI congress is organized by the Future Earth and Belmont Forum, together with the parties of the host country, which changes every year. In the past, the event has been organized in Australia, South Africa and Panama.

- We are excited to bring the Congress to Finland, which is one of the world leaders in sustainability and innovation. The 2024 Congress will also be the first SRI in Europe and in a Nordic country. By bringing the event and its global community to different regions, SRI seeks to initiate new conversations, connections and collaborations, and accelerate an informed sustainability transformation worldwide, say SRI convenors Erica Key, Director of Future Earth US Global Hub, Nicole Arbour, Executive Director of Belmont Forum, and Veera Mitzner, Associate Director of Future Earth US Hub.