2nd International Conference
Slovenia, 14th - 15th November 2014
INVITATION
to a unique & co-creative Conference-Process
focusing on Integrated Approaches for a
Green, Self-Sufficient, Culturally Embedded and Socially Inclusive
Economy in Slovenia, Europe, and the World,
with fundamental values underlying the cultural heritage of our societies in its
centre and as the starting point of practical policies and measures,
and
to get acquainted with Integral Green Slovenia, the forthcoming second volume in
the Gower Ashgate Integral Green Society and Economy Series
CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS and RATIONALE
 Building on the 1st International Conference INTEGRAL GREEN ECONOMY FOR A BETTER
WORLD1, the biggest international event to date on an integral green economy that took
place in Slovenia (at University of Maribor and BC Naklo) from September 17th to 19th. The
main organizers were the Biotechnical Centre Naklo and Trans4m Center for Integral
Development in Geneva, with the assistance of 26 co-organizers and supporters.
 Introducing New Economic Thinking & New Practice : Presenting a comprehensive
overview of emerging alternative economic thinking and practice based on sustainable
approaches to economics, aligned with an integral “four worlds and center model”,
developed by Trans4m Center for Integral Development. Key elements of this integral model are
a Moral Economic Core (Center), a Self-sufficient Economy (South), a Developmental
Economy (East), a Social Economy (North), and a Living Economy (West), altogether
interconnected via four transformational economic paths.

Revealing the Integral Green Slovenia Process and Building on Real Life Cases, locally and
globally : Based on the theoretical model of Integral Worlds Approach with its
transdisciplinary, transcultural and transformative character, and including the wealth of
impulses for economic renewal in Slovenia in relation to all four economic paths and the
moral core, the conference sheds light on Slovenia’s unique national process and introduces
distinctive real-life cases representing the emergent integral green economy – locally,
regionally, nationally and internationally.
 Reviewing and upgrading the vision of the Integral Green Slovenian Economy (IGSE) in the
context of EU policies for sustainable development : The conference will consider viable
measures to lead Slovenia out of the present serious economic, financial and political crisis,
as well as its crisis of values, and will help in shaping a long-term strategy for sustainable
development in the context of the EU 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive
growth, with the long-term objective to establish Slovenia as a pilot country of an Integral
Green Economy within Europe.

Set in the broader context of an Integral Green Economy and University : drawing on the
example of a research and educational initiative in Southern Africa where the development
of »Integral Green Zimbabwe« has been spearheaded by a transformative program of
CAREing for Society : Catalysing societal development; Activating community; innovation
driven institutional Research; and transformative Education.
ON THE PATH TOWARDS INTEGRAL GREEN SLOVENIA
The Slovenian story of Integral Green Economy consists of a multitude of stories, of several bigger and
smaller stories. Firstly, it is the story about the journey of a Slovenian community towards integral green
economy and society that can historically be traced back to the principality of Carantania. However, after less
than 25 years of sovereignty and initially praised for a seemingly non-problematic transition from socialistic
self-management system to a market economy in Western European style, Slovenia is currently under
pressure of an economic, financial and political crisis, interpreted also as crisis of values, in the course of
1
Conference website with the report, presentations and other inputs: http://www.bc-naklo.si/index.php?id=2525 and
http://www.bc-naklo.si/index.php?id=2643.
which austerity measures were imposed by the EU and international institutions. It is only natural that a
number of individuals, groups, organisations and communities are seeking for an alternative path out of the
crisis. The Conference will reveal part of such, while also recognizing that the newly independent Slovenia is
being assisted on its path of renewal by several policies of the European Union, particularly those related to
sustainable development (while impeded by certain others, i.e. macroeconomic and fiscal policies). And we
will show through the framework of the Integral Green Slovenia movement, how the rich diversity of these
initiatives is being purposely connected and upgraded.
The idea of Slovenia as a model for an integral, sustainable and socially responsible economy and society was
developed during the period of spring 2011 to autumn 2014 and initially applied to framing the vision of
Slovenia as a sustainable low-carbon economy and society.2 In addition to the 1st conference on integral
green economy, important milestones in 2013 were also A citizens' initiative for a wholesome life in the
internationally respected community of Slovenia: Integral Green Slovenia and the report - A vision Towards
an Integral Green Slovenian Economy (Ronnie Lessem in coll. with Alexander Schieffer).
In the development of the initiative for Integral Green Slovenia the initial assumption was that Slovenia had
specifically great potential for integral development by drawing upon its natural and cultural heritage, as
well as its relevant scientific thinking and good social and economic practices, similar to the potentials
exhibited in seminal integral models presented from different cultures. In cooperation with Lessem and
Schieffer, the Slovenian social innovators are now newly discovering these integral or potentially integral
practices, studying them and presenting them to a wider public. In this process their leading representatives
are being connected in a unique process of co-creation and also compare them with world renowned
integral practices.
The participants of the first Integral Green Economy Conference, locally, nationally, and globally, confirmed
that Slovenia has excellent potential and a unique opportunity to become a pilot country for an integral
green economy in Europe, enabling the country to overcome within a relatively short period its economic
crisis in a dignified way.
In the context of the Integral Green Slovenia movement, the theoretical framework of Integral Worlds
Approach is being applied in an original and practical way,
o by placing in the centre and as the starting point of practical policies and measures,
fundamental values underlying the Slovenian and European cultural heritage.
o by building on the authentic Slovenian culture but also incorporating elements of
neighbouring and other cultures.
o by connecting and upgrading a number of Slovenian good practices, aligning them with
(already) internationally recognised but primarily European models of integral economy and
sustainable development.
o by smart integration and effective implementation of EU developmental policies based on
sustainable development principles, such as the green and circular economy, social economy
and socially responsible entrepreneurship, ethical banking, and sustainable development of
towns and rural areas with food and energy self-supply (synergies and cross-sectoral
approach).
o by purposely building on the paradigm of sustainable development that encompasses four
dimensions (i.e., economy, environment, society, culture), with particular emphasis on
values of sustainability and social responsibility.
This process is going to be revealed in the forthcoming volume Integral Green Slovenia.
2
The process is documented on the website: www.dpiciga.com
CONFERENCE THEMES
The emergence of an Integral Green Economy – Framework and Practice:
An overview and integration of historical and emerging alternative economic thinking - across
disciplines, cultures, from individual to societal transformation. A comprehensive presentation of
Integral Economics and the concept of Integral Green Economy
Alternatives do exist! Presentation of seminal integral models: Mondragon in Spain, Grameen in
Bangladesh, SEKEM in Egypt, Sarvodaya in Sri Lanka, Mondragon in Spain, Chinyika in Zimbabwe, ….
(Dr. Ronnie Lessem, Dr. Alexander Schieffer, Trans4m, Switzerland)
The Story of Integral Green Slovenia:
Slovenia on the path towards Integral Green Slovenia - Potentials for Integral Green
Development: the nature, the culture with the values, scientific thought, spiritual enlightenment
and practices
The movement and the Book
(Key Figures of the Process: Dr. Darja Piciga, key Slovenian co-creators, Dr. Ronnie Lessem, Dr.
Alexander Schieffer, …)
The Story of Integral Green Zimbabwe: The Process and The Book
(Dr. Elizabeth Mamukwa, Dr. Ronnie Lessem, Dr. Alexander Schieffer)
Elaborating Slovenian cases of integral green economy (Pro-Action Café)
Reviewing and upgrading the vision and outline programme of the Integral Green Slovenian
Economy (IGSE)
(Dr. Darja Piciga and other policy makers, decision makers, Dr. Ronnie Lessem, Dr. Alexander
Schieffer)
ORGANIZING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
In alphabetical order:
Dr. Martina Bavec, Dr. Nevenka Bogataj, Aleksandra Gradišek, Ivana Leskovar, Dr. Ronnie Lessem, Dr.
Elizabeth Mamukwa, Ddr. Matjaž Mulej, Andrej Kranjc, MSc, Dr. Jože Osterc, Dr. Darja Piciga (Chair),
Sebastijan Pikl, Dr. Marijan Pogačnik, Dr. Jožica Rejec, Dr. Alexander Schieffer, Marko Slapnik, Tadej Slapnik,
Dr. Andrej Udovč
CONFERENCE LOCATION and INFORMATION
BIOTECHNICAL CENTRE NAKLO
Address: Strahinj 99, 4202 Naklo, SLOVENIA
Information about participation in the programme:
Dr. Darja Piciga, Integral Green Slovenia, e-mail: [email protected]
Information on the registration, fee, agenda:
e-mail: [email protected]
ORGANISED AND SUPPORTED BY:
INTEGRAL GREEN
SLOVENIA
A citizens' initiative for a
wholesome life in the
internationally respected
community of Slovenia
TRANS4M Center for Integral
Development, Geneva, Switzerland
Biotechnical Centre Naklo, Slovenia
University of Maribor
Maribor, Slovenia
OTON ŽUPANČIČ PRESCHOOL
Slovenska Bistrica
Organising Committee of the
Conference VIVUS, Naklo, Slovenia
Center Rinka – Institute for
tourism and sustainable
development of Solčavsko
Faculty of Agriculture and
Life Sciences
Institute of organic farming
Eco-Social Forum, Slovenia
Marko Pogačnik and VITAAA
Slovenia
UMANOTERA, The Slovenian
Foundation for Sustainable
Development, Ljubljana,
Slovenia
INTERSO Integration of economic
development, society and
environment
Institute for social responsibility,
Koper
Development Cooperative e TRI,
Slovenia
POSSIBLE SUPPORTERS:
Ministries
Members of the European Parliament
Youth Network
No Excuse Slovenia