5th CERES International Conference - Social-Ecological Systems: From Risks and Insecurity to Viability and Resilience

SES 2019


Social Sciences (General)



One of the most striking dynamics of the Anthropocene Era is the ability of social systems to interact with and transform ecological systems on a large scale and at a rapid rate, with greater intensity and uncertain consequences. This is done while crossing ecological thresholds, sometimes irreversibly. Worse, this transformation is increasingly associated with the emergence of interdependent and complex dynamics and crises affecting both social and ecological systems. This, in turn, unveils our incapacity to efficiently manage these dynamics by using the same value systems, which are the main cause of their emergence.
Against this background, the Conference, which will be held within the perspective of the COP25, is an opportunity to engage a debate about Social-Ecological Systems (SES) through: The assessment of structural factors of SES vulnerability in an era of global risks and insecurity dynamics; the identification of areas of SES interactions, integration and synergy; the assessment of the ability of existing response mechanisms (governance frameworks, conceptual referential, cultural patterns and values...) to foster the resilience and viability of SES; and to highlight the recommended approaches and ways of action to reverse undesirable trends.
The Conference topics are multidisciplinary and relevant to policy-making processes. The best papers will be published in contributed volumes by Springer Nature, and Routledge Environment & Sustainability.