25 January – 1 February 2009, Zurich
“The Realistic Side of the World – Sustainable Development and the Role of Economic and Political Institutions”

The World Student Community for Sustainable Development held its third Student Summit for Sustainability (S³) at the ETH in January 2009, jointly with the AGS Annual Meeting, titled “The Realistic Side of the World – Sustainable Development and the Role of Economic and Political Institutions.”

The S³ asked fascinating and timely questions that are not yet part of the mainstream debate on sustainable development: what drives countries and powers to compete for increasingly scarce resources, and what are the consequences? How does the international financial system hinder the anticipation of natural limits? What incentives other than money steer people’s behavior towards sustainability? How can open source publishing contribute to sustainable development?

Over 90 students from all over the world met in Switzerland – many of them thanks to funds raised by the organizing team from [project 21] students for sustainability of the ETH and University of Zurich – and discussed intensively with their selected experts, as well as having a good time.

More about the Student Summit for Sustainability 2009

Videos of the keynote talks, including Andrea K. Riemer, Bernard Lietaer, Colin Campbell, and Daniele Ganser, at http://www.sss2009.blip.tv/#1910009