Tuesday, June 4, 2013

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