09:30–10:00

Coffee and registration

10:00–10:10

Welcome words • Jussi Vauhkonen, Executive Director of Funding Opportunities, RCF

10:10–11:00

Keynote address • Olle Törnquist, Prof. emer. of Politics and Development, University of Oslo: Can critical research make a difference? Democracy, solidarity and sustainable development in times of crisis

11:00–11:20

Commentary • Bonn Juego, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Finnish Society for Development Research

11:20–12:20

Project presentations, Session I
11:20 Maria Ehrnström-Fuentes & Markus Kröger • The socio-ecological and politico-economic dynamics of ecological restoration through tree planting schemes in the global South
11:35 Leena Hanski • Sustainable use of plant resources to combat infectious diseases
11:50 Eero Kajantie • Small vulnerable newborns and the transgenerational cycle of health and development
12:05 Björn Klöve & Juha Kiviluoma • Integrating water balance and energy systems models for improved benefit sharing in transboundary river basins

12:20–13:20

Lunch (Restaurant Lasiranta)

13:20–14:35

Project presentations, Session II
13:20 Tarja Sironen • Emerging infectious diseases in changing environments of East Africa
13:35 Laura Stark • LGBTQI+ and street-level bureaucrats: assessing motives, violence and possibilities for collective advocacy in East Africa
13:50 Jarkko Tissari • Technological and socio-economic solutions to reduce indoor air pollution in Nepal
14:05 Anu Valtonen • Towards sustainable harvesting of African edible bush-cricket (Ruspolia differens) for enhancing food security and rural livelihoods in East Africa
14:20 Heidi Westerlund • Transition pathways towards gender inclusion in the changing musical landscapes of Nepal (amplifyHer)

14:35–15:40

Panel discussion: Beyond Growth? Lessons from development research for a more just and sustainable future
Panellists: Ramses Malaty, Maria Ehrnström-Fuentes, Eero Kajantie, Danielle Treacy, Leena Hanski, Gulomjon Umirzakov, Olle Törnquist
Moderator: Kaisa Kurki, Director, Finnish University Partnership for International Development, UniPID

Panel theme: What kinds of development futures become possible when we prioritize equity, wellbeing, sustainability, and local agency rather than economic growth alone?

15:40–16:15

Networking coffee