Wealth of Nations 2.0 conference huge success
Published: 21 December 2022
Attendees heard how governments around the world are now working together to make changes that will put the nature and planet ahead of profits
On Tuesday 22 November the Wealth of Nations 2.0 Conference: Building Unstoppable Momentum towards a Wellbeing Economy took place at the Bute Hall in the University of Glasgow. The conference was organised by WEAll Scotland and our Professor of Wellbeing Economy, Gerry McCartney, was one of the co-hosts and has played a lead role in the wellbeing economy movement.
The aim of the conference was to have people:
- Know: the progress being made to deliver a Wellbeing Economy
- Feel: motivated to accelerate this further
- Make: clear commitments to play your part
180 people attended the conference, including Angus Robertson from the Scottish Government and representatives of the Welsh and Finnish governments. Founder of WEAll Scotland, Katharine Trebeck, made a video address, as did Fiona Duncan (chair of the Promise - relating to care experienced people in Scotland). As well as keynote speeches, panel sessions and breakout discussions, the event was interspersed with artistic contributions - including rap and poetry - articulating what a Wellbeing Economy in Scotland would look like.
The Scottish Government announced that they were going to appoint an ambassador for the Wellbeing Economy Governments and that they were publishing (on the day of the conference) a Wellbeing Economy toolkit to support local and national organisations to implement a wellbeing economy.
Following the conference Gerry said:
"The Wealth of Nations 2.0 conference created renewed commitment and impetus towards a Wellbeing Economy redesign. We heard how governments around the world are now working together to make changes that will put the nature and planet ahead of profits, and ensure that the economy works to serve people's needs. Although there are many good examples of how progress is being made, we still face stark challenges. Economic power remains concentrated in the hands of corporations and the wealthy. Democratising the economy and changing its purpose are now urgent challenges. The University of Glasgow is currently exploring funding avenues for a range of research proposals that will help to understand how we can make the necessary transition to an economy that lives within planetary boundaries and supports human and ecological flourishing."
(News summary photo credit: Erika Stevenson, @erikascamera)
First published: 21 December 2022
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