Symposium on Wicked Problems at Wageningen University

You are cordially invited to attend the symposium on ‘Developing theory and practice to address wicked problems’ on 10 June 2013, with Marco Verweij (Bremen University) and Thomas Hartmann (Utrecht University).

‘Developing theory and practice to address wicked problems’

10 June 2013
Room C63, Leeuwenborch, Hollandseweg 1, Wageningen

Many of today’s multi-dimensional and multi-scalar problems in the field of food and environment can be characterized as wicked problems, that is, problems that are complex, ill-defined, messy and unsolvable in any traditional sense.

There is a kind of permanent lack of agreement on what the problem is, where the problem starts and what is the frame the problem in the first place. The emergence of new actors and governance arrangements that claim political authority to solve multi-dimensional and multi-scalar problems may both help to solve wicked problems but also create new ones. 

Presenting state-of-the-art work on wicked problems: guest speakers Prof Verweij (University of Bremen) and Dr Hartmann (University of Utrecht); from Wageningen University Prof Termeer (PAP) and Dr Dentoni (MST) will challenge the audience to critically reflect on theories and practices to address wicked problems.

The symposium is jointly organized by PAP and MST, with support of the WASS.

Contact persons are Dr Otto Hospes and Dr Domenico Dentoni.

Please send your name, position and affiliation to office.pap@wur.nl if you would like to attend.

Programme

09.00-09.10     

Welcome by prof dr Onno Omta (MTS)

09.10-09.30     

Brief introduction to workshop and the nature of wicked problems, by Dr Art Dewulf (PAP) and Dr Otto Hospes (PAP)

09.30-10.45     

Developing theory to analyse wicked problems.

Dr Thomas Hartmann (Utrecht University): Using cultural theory to work with wicked problems in flood systems

Dr Domenico Dentoni (MST): Managing wicked problems - a framework on resources, processes and effects of multi-stakeholder engagements 

Panel debate with two presenters, two discussants (Dr Otto Hospes, PAP; Prof Marco Verweij, Bremen University), with chair (Dr Art Dewulf, PAP) and empty chair (where people from the audience can take a seat) 

10.45-11.15

Coffee and tea break

11.15-12.30

Coping with wicked problems: clumsy solutions and governance capabilities.

Prof Marco Verweij (Bremen University): Messy institutions for wicked problems: how to generate clumsy solutions.

Prof Katrien Termeer (PAP): Governance capabilities to address wicked problems in social-ecological systems

Panel debate with two presenters, two discussants (Dr Art Dewulf,Dr Thomas Hartman), with chair (Dr Otto Hospes) and empty chair (where people from the audience can take a seat)

12.30-14.00

Lunch

14.00-15.00

Open discussion on future research agenda (chaired by Dr Otto Hospes)

15.00     

Closing of workshop 

All the best for 2013!

Special New Year's greetings from Cycloop member Marc Craps in Montevideo, and by extension from the whole Cycloop team!

Second edition of Multi-Actor Collaboration course

The second edition of the VLIR-UOS sponsered course on "Facilitating multi-actor collaboration for sustainable resources management", given by Cycloop and hosted by HUBrussel, has been a great success. Starting with an introduction at the HUBrussel, a few days were spent at the conference center Chant d'Oiseau at Woluwe (Brussels), including a lively version of the Podocarpus National Park Simulation game and in depth discussion of the collaboration process on the basis of video recordings. In the following days, topics like appreciative inquiry, action research, stakeholder analysis, governance, convening and facilitating were addressed. The excursion to the Doode Beemde near Leuven was also much appreciated. The programme was greatly enhanced by the rich experience and input of the participants!

During the closing reception, the participants received their certificate:

Oanh Pham Thi Phuong
Baribwegure Deo
Aggrey Daniel Maina Thuo
Samuel Ochola
Milton Armando Reyes Gutierrez
Viviana Berrio
Jenny Montes Vasquez
Cecilia Andrea Gutierrez del Castillo
Natalia Angelina Vizcarra Noriega
Fernando Ortega
Eliana Quiroz Gutiérrez
Maria Alejandra Claure Oviedo
Fabian Eduardo Rodas Lopez
Silvia Elena Martinez Arroliga
Irene Awuor Ogada
Laura Alvarado
Bert Verstappen
Andries Verdegem
Inge Vermeesch

Change Alliance Seminar Sustaining Multi-Stakeholder Processes in Africa

The Change Alliance, of which Cycloop is a member organization, organizes an interesting seminar on MSP in Africa. If you're quick, you can still submit a case study (which is a requirement for participation).

This Johannesburg workshop follows a two-day Inspiring Change event held in Nairobi at the end of the year 2010. A Southern African Trust participant in that event has taken leadership to create this event, April 24-25 in Johannesburg. It is embedded in a strategy for longer term engagement and network development for MSPs in Africa.

Cycloop Course on “Facilitating multi-actor collaboration for sustainable resources management”

The intensive training course “Facilitating multi-actor collaboration for sustainable resources management” will take place in Brussels, Belgium, from April 16 till 24, 2012. It is a joined initiative of Cycloop, network of experienced action-researchers specialized in multi-actor collaboration and sustainability (www.cycloop.org) and the Centre for Sustainability Management of the HUBrussel (Brussels University College www.hubrussel.be, part of the Association K.U.Leuven).

The course is based on the principles of experiential learning. We invite participants to use their own experiences with multi-actor collaborative initiatives as an input for the course. The course starts with a multi-actor simulation to provide shared experiences on which we can reflect and build during the following course days. All sessions will be highly interactive.

The emphasis of the program is on social process facilitation. The course is directed  to scholars and practitioners with experience in local or regional development projects. Candidates from the South can apply for scholarships, covering tuition fee, travel costs and accommodation, funded by the Flemish Interuniversity Council (www.vliruos.be). You can find more information about this training course on the website: www.hubrussel.be/multi-actor.