Koli Forum 2023 - Bioeconomy Markets as a System of Change

11-12 October 2023, Koli National Park, Finland

Koli Forum 2023: Bioeconomy Markets as a System of Change

Europe’s cities, regions, industries and natural resources are facing significant changes. Preparations for the future, routed in a systemic circular bioeconomy, should start now. This calls for a holistic system of sustainable change, which includes long-sighted and sustainable land use for today’s future, sustainable choices of discerning citizens, with business and research mainstreaming innovation and rethinking of services with society at its center. In this transition towards a systemic circular bioeconomy, forests and society play a major role.

These topics will be discussed in the 2023 Koli Forum, 11-12 October 2023. Register now to join the seminar!

Registration is open until 1 October 2023. Koli Forum member organisations can get a special offer this year: choose one ticket (early bird or regular fee) and get one or more tickets for 50 € for your colleagues. Colleagues from other departments or offices, people interested in learning more about Koli Forum or whose professional work and expertise align with the topics discussed are welcome to join.

We also offer 15 tickets for students. This is an excellent opportunity for students to learn from experts in their field and network with other young professionals. Please note that the benefit will be extended to a maximum of three students per university, and priority is given to cover different departments or schools.

Participation fees:
350€ regular fee
50€ for students (max. 3 students per university, in total max. 15 students)
50€ for Koli Forum member organizations’ 2nd/3rd participant

Register here by October 1: Registration

Programme

Day 1: Wednesday 11th of October

12 Bus transportation to Koli leaves from Joensuu railway station

13 Coffee/tea

13.30 Opening session

Welcoming words and setting the goals for the Forum by Diana Tuomasjukka, EFI and Jussi Manninen, VTT.

Keynote speeches by

Camilla Sandström, UMU/UNESCO: Key considerations for achieving a green and inclusive societal transformation

Marianela Pepe, National University of Comahue, Argentina: What do young people expect for future worklife and society?

Antti Asikainen, Natural Resources Institute Finland: Forests in the bioeconomy

15.30 Coffee/tea

16.15 Session 1: Sustainable land use for today’s future

This session is organised in collaboration with the Finnish Forest Bioeconomy Science Panel, with Antti Asikainen (Natural Resources Institute Finland) as the moderator.

Tekla Tammelin, VTT / FinnCeres flagship: New products and processes for diversified product portfolio – and what is required from the feedstock?

Riikka Paloniemi, Finnish Environment Institute: Forest bioeconomy in sustainability transformations – what is expected from wider landscape?

17:30 Time to network and enjoy Koli

19 Dinner

Day 2: Thursday 12th of October

9-10.15 Session 2: Mainstreaming innovation

Confirmed speakers:

Harri Palviainen, City of Järvenpää, Finland: From strategy to buy-in at city/community level. How do you drive the change?

Clara Martinez, ECBF: Financing tomorrow’s solutions.

Erik Bengtson, Södra Ädla: Add-on business opportunities while growing forests. Solutions for small-owners and users.

10.15-11.30 Session 3: Sustainable choice

Amandeep Dhir, University of Agder, Norway: How social media influences consumption.

Anna Hakulinen, Valio: Valio’s role in offering sustainable products

Tero Heinonen, Finnish Environment Institute: Ecolabels

11.30 Walk to Koli Hill / networking

12.30 Lunch

13.30-15 Session 4: Koli Theses

Discussion and interactive workshop in small groups, formulating the Koli Theses 2023 for communicating the messages of the event

15-16.15 Conclusions and take-home messages

16:30 Bus leaving to Joensuu

18 Train to Helsinki

Venue and practicalities

Our main venue is the auditorium located in the Ukko Heritage Centre a few meters away from the Break Sokos Hotel Koli.

Travel to and from Koli

Participants are expected to make their own travel arrangements. We will arrange a free shuttle bus from Joensuu railway station to Koli and back, schedules to be confirmed later on.