English
Social-ecological think tank Oikos
The think tank Oikos works towards social-ecological change by contributing to the public debate. Oikos focuses on long-term challenges that are insufficiently addressed in the public debate, but are crucial for the future of society and future generations. The ecological limits of the planet and global solidarity are our principles.
Oikos aims to provide an inspiring framework for positive practices. We encourage practice-based initiatives that demonstrate how working towards a sustainable society is possible. These are part of the ‘new social movement that does not yet know it exists’, as German social psychologist Harald Welzer puts it.
Knowledge base for change
Oikos’ seminars, lectures, publications and opinion pieces address the various dimensions of this drive for change: the underlying ethics, the analysis of the current state and the development of alternatives, as well as concrete strategies to get there. Thus, Oikos brings together scientists, authors and activists from all over the world such as Juliet Schor, Michel Bauwens or Vandana Shiva for inspiring lectures. In round-table discussions, seminars, reading groups and blog posts, Oikos also offers concerned citizens and experts the chance to deepen their knowledge, exchange insights and set up a joint learning process.
Oikos publishes Dutch translations of groundbreaking books such as Less is More by Jason Hickel, The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable by Amitav Ghosh, Post Growth: Life after capitalism by Tim Jackson or Selbst denken: Eine Anleitung zum Widerstand by Harald Welzer. Oikos also collaborates with academic networks to bring cutting-edge scientific research in understandable terms to a broader audience. For instance, in collaboration with Acco, it published the book Solidariteit in Superdiversiteit [Solidarity in Superdiversity] by Nick Schuermans, Joke Vandenabeele, Stijn Oosterlynck, Marc Jans and Dirk Holemans.
Free English publication: Imagining Europe Beyond Growth
On the occasion of the 2023 conference at the European Parliament on how to move “beyond growth”, the European Environmental Bureau, Think Tank Oikos and Green European Journal joined hands to publish this special issue full of ideas for a more just society and a stable planet.
The transformation towards a postgrowth society calls for a different future-oriented narrative. We’ll need the political imagination to design a European Green Deal without growth and instead based on biocapacity, fairness, wellbeing for all, and active democracy.
In this issue you will find inspiring ideas, examples and discussions of the many faces of a positive postgrowth future, one in which people and nature can thrive together.
You can find the special issue in our bookstore. This publication is free – after adding in to your cart and the checkout, you will get access to the file free of charge.