This session examines citizen participation and food democracy, exploring practical tools to strengthen community engagement within local food systems. It presents diverse methods and participatory approaches—policy advocacy, cooperative governance, deliberative forums, and community-led initiatives—evaluating their potential to enhance transparency, inclusion, and decision-making. Participants will gain insight into how these tools can be adapted to collaborative projects and learn frameworks for implementing inclusive governance in food initiatives.

In French.

Sandrine Godefroid, researcher at the Meise Botanic Garden, opens the evening. A multidisciplinary panel moderated by Nicola Schoenenberger, Director of the Geneva Botanic Garden, brings together conservation scientists and practitioners.

The session examines strategies for conserving threatened local flora: habitat protection, targeted interventions, seed banking and reintroduction. Speakers compare practical measures, regulatory approaches and restoration techniques, and discuss concrete perspectives to strengthen plant conservation locally.

In French.

Cécile Desaunay, director of studies at Futuribles and author of La Société des besoins and La Société de déconsommation, presents her research on societal transformations, lifestyle changes and consumption patterns. This lecture examines shifting needs, pathways from excess to sufficiency, and cultural and economic drivers of deconsumption. Desaunay discusses policy and behavioural perspectives to rethink consumption and proposes conceptual tools for collective transitions toward living better with less.

In French.

Aïna Queiroz presents an immersive talk exploring how strategies from the living world can inspire leadership, collective intelligence, communication, innovation and organisational adaptation. The session investigates biomimicry principles and practical lessons nature offers for designing resilient, adaptive companies. Through a mix of scientific insight, interactive exercises and humour, Queiroz reveals how organisations can rethink structures and processes to align with ecological strategies and improve creativity and adaptability.

In French.

This citizen debate is coached by specialists and evaluated by a jury of political representatives, combining expert facilitation with civic participation to examine artificial intelligence from technical, ethical and policy perspectives.

Two teams will prepare and engage in an Oxford-style debate that investigates AI’s promises and pitfalls, addressing governance, accountability, societal risks and benefits. Specialists and the jury will synthesize arguments and highlight the policy implications and trade-offs for democratic oversight.

In French.