El Círculo de Bellas Artes and the Coordination Office for the Spanish Presidency of the EU joined together to organize the “Future Europe” Forums, which were developed throughout the second half of 2023, coinciding with the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU.

The Forum was held on December 4th “Socio-ecological transitions” to discuss crucial issues for environmental sustainability, the socio-ecological transition, and climate change. A modern Europe demands that we act together to face the challenges posed by a sustainable development model that enables a dynamic of prosperity and increased social well-being while prioritizing environmental improvement through policies and actions geared towards sustainability.

Throughout the various sessions, topics related to production and consumption, sustainable mobility and tourism, biodiversity management, energy transition, and the conservation and management of natural resources were also addressed. Emphasis was also placed on the role of the Arts and Humanities in raising ecological awareness and tackling environmental challenges.

The first project presentation session included:

Ximena Lazo, UAH "Green public procurement: towards a more sustainable Europe"

Carmen Madorrán, UAM “Ecosocial literacy and energies for peace”

Jovita Moreno, URJC “Promoting a green industry”

Justo Corti Varela, UNED "Climate Displaced Persons: How to Provide Them with Adequate Protection"

Francesca Lipari, UC3M “Experimental Economics as a Diagnostic Tool in the Design of Laws for the Ecological Transition”

Moderator: Javier Salas, Director of the UAH Doctoral School

The second project presentation session included:

Cayetano Gutiérrez, URJC “IberRíos, the Iberian Rivers Observatory”

Victor Alonso Rocafort, UCM Innovation and Sustainability Classroom.

Diego Llusia Genique, UAM “A world of sounds: new acoustic technologies to understand global change and the biodiversity crisis”

Enrique San Martín, UNED “The water problem in Spain and climate change”

Aurelio Francisco Malo, UAH "Long-term studies in Ecology and Evolution for Biodiversity Conservation."

Moderator: Rosa Martín Aranda, Vice-Rector for Research, Knowledge Transfer and Scientific Dissemination. UNED

At the opening of the afternoon session we were joined by Valerio Rocco, Director Círculo de Bellas Artesand in the subsequent dialogue with Helena Freitas, professor and researcher in the area of ​​Biodiversity at the University of Coimbra and director of the Serralves Park, and louis quevedo, journalist and science communicator.

The round table 'Arts and Humanities to increase ecological awareness and address the eco-social crisis' featured Oliver Ressler, artist and filmmaker, Jose Maria Parreño, poet and professor of Art History at the UCM, and Giorgia BollatiJournalist and science communicator. Moderator: Carmen Madorrán, Professor of Philosophy at UAM and member of the research group in ecological Humanities (GHECO).

At the closing ceremony we had Jose Manuel AlbaresMinister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, and Juan Miguel Hernández LeónPresident ofel Círculo de Bellas Artes.