International Conference “Philosophical Foundations, Cultural Dimensions, and Societal Values of Ecological Civilization and Sustainable Development”
2025-10-07 08:00 - 2025-10-10 17:00 (Europe/Sofia)
Sofia, Bulgaria
7 – 10 October 2025

Rationale:
The conference will explore the philosophical and cultural roots of the ideas of ecological civilization (e.g., Confucian harmony, Taoist balance, etc.) and of sustainable development in Europe, America, Asia, Australia (e.g., Enlightenment rationality, anthropocentrism, EU green deal and green transition initiatives, etc), while also examining how these concepts shape and are shaped by societal values, norms, and collective behaviors. It further investigates how these ideas influence social cohesion, identity, and community practices in the above mentioned regions, offering insights into the role of culture in environmental stewardship, social sustainability of workforce, etc. The conference also examines the policy frameworks and governance structures that support sustainable development and green transition.

The conference will be held in the official room “Prof. Marin Drinov” of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (for the first day of the conference), and another conference room used by the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology (for the next three days).

14th International Whitehead Conference
2026-07-17 08:00 - 2026-07-20 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Beijing Normal–Hong Kong Baptist University, Zhuhai, China
The 14th International Whitehead Conference will be held July 17–20, 2026, in Zhuhai, China, at Beijing Normal–Hong Kong Baptist University (BNBU). Zhuhai is a vibrant coastal city in southern China, located on the Pearl River Delta neighboring Macau and Hong Kong.
This global gathering of scholars, educators, and practitioners marks a pivotal moment to engage Alfred North Whitehead’s philosophy in dialogue with the pressing challenges and transformative opportunities of the 21st century. The theme of the 2026 International Whitehead Conference is: “Process Philosophy in a Time of Polycrisis: Science, Meaning, and Civilization.” The conference will explore how process thought can illuminate the great transitions of our time—toward a more sustainable, creative, and compassionate world.
Building on the legacy of previous IWCs, the Zhuhai conference will highlight Whitehead’s continuing relevance for science and modernization, the integration of cultural traditions with contemporary innovation, and the construction of an ecological civilization and a community of shared future for humankind. Supporting China’s vision of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, this conference aims to advance creative dialogue between Chinese and global perspectives on civilization, ecology, and modernization.
With participants expected from more than 15 countries, the 2026 IWC will combine scholarly rigor with innovative collaborative formats. In addition to academic paper presentations, participants will engage in interdisciplinary roundtables, collaborative project incubators, publication workshops, and youth/talent cultivation sessions.
We invite proposals for 20-minute presentations for concurrent breakout sessions organized around thematic tracks (see below). If your research does not fit neatly within these categories, you are still encouraged to submit a proposal. New tracks may be developed in response to submissions. Please select “Other” if unsure which track best applies.

Submission Deadline

February 27, 2026

Notification of Acceptance

March 15, 2026

Conference Dates

July 17–20, 2026

For:
Conference tracks, submission, venue, logistics etc., please follow this link
