Proposals for sessions are now being accepted for the 11th University of Guam Conference on Island Sustainability — Island Wisdom for a Global Future. The annual conference is a blend of scholarship, advocacy, and action. Diverse abstract submissions from academia, government agencies, non-profit organizations, teachers, students, and the general community are encouraged.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: 5:00 p.m. Feb. 28, 2020

Overarching topics for session proposals

• Island Wisdom. As keepers of traditional knowledge stretching back thousands of years, islanders have long understood sustainability challenges. What wisdom are we using today in islands to solve sustainability challenges? What wisdom can we revisit?
• Global Future. In what ways can we apply Island Wisdom to challenges around the world to achieve a sustainable global future?

Your abstract should cover the following:

• How are you taking action on sustainability?
• Do you have sustainability innovations to share?
• How are you or your organizations advancing U.N. Sustainable Development Goals?
• Which U.N. SDGs are you contributing to?

Types of Presentations (1 Hour)

• Breakout Workshop — highly interactive sessions, offering participants a deep-dive, hands-on approach to learning and skill building. Workshops are outcome-based and intended to engage attendees as participants, not just as a passive audience. Creativity, peer-to-peer learning, and small-group interactions are prioritized.
• Breakout Panel — moderated discussions, preferably with few or no slides or formal presentations. Though less hands-on than workshops, we prioritize panels that offer ample time for audience Q&A.
• Poster presentation — breakout session open to all conference participants where you can network and present your poster. 

Presentation availability

Sessions are limited. In addition to plenary speakers and panels, the conference will accommodate 12 breakout sessions, with a maximum of 4 speakers per session. There are 50 poster presentation slots.

Repeat abstracts will not be accepted

Proposals must consist of new research or ideas that have not been presented at a previous Conference on Island Sustainability. Exceptions will be made for research projects with significant updates, which should be detailed in the submitted abstract.

Suggested Topics

Sustainable Environments

• How can we improve Life Below Water (SDG14) and Life on Land (SDG15)?
• What is contributing to the environmental degradation of island ecosystems, and what solutions are available to reduce degradation and/or restore healthy ecosystems?
• What sustainable activities can be implemented to promote healthier terrestrial, aquatic, and marine island environments?

Climate Change

• What actions are needed in our community to address climate change impacts (SDG13)?
• How can we cultivate and sustain youth climate leaders in our communities?
• What strategies for resilience, mitigation, and adaptation are working and how do we scale them quickly?

Sustainable Society

• What can be done to reduce poverty and inequalities and promote good health and well-being (SDG1,3,5,10)?
• What can be done to improve food security and reduce reliance on imported goods (SDG2)?
• What advancements in technology can be applied to local food production, processing, packaging, and delivery to reduce dependence on imports (SDG2,9)?
• How can communities promote decent work and economic growth (SDG8)?

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

• What is the current outlook for our region’s energy future (SDG7)?
• What programs or practices are available for residential and commercial consumers to use energy sustainably?
• What are the challenges in adopting renewable energy in islands, and how do we overcome them?

Circular Economy and Sustainable Development

• What circular economy initiatives can be promoted to design out waste and create new industries (SDG9,11,12)?
• How can increased tourism and revenue be achieved while implementing sustainable and responsible practices?
• What sustainable designs and land-use practices can be incorporated in the planning process (e.g. Development Master Plans)?

Education, Workforce Development, and Capacity Building

• What is being done to provide quality education and engage our community and K-12 students on issues of sustainability (SDG4)?
• What capacity are we lacking in our region to achieve sustainable cities and communities (SDG11)?
• Where do we need to connect the dots for students to major in STEM, sustainability, socioeconomic, and green technology fields and ensure local jobs are ready and available for them?

Policies for Sustainable Development

• What sustainability policies are our islands lacking, and what can be done to improve enforcement of existing policies (SDG16)?
• What policies should be considered to responsibly accommodate incoming military personnel, regional migrants, and natural population growth?
• What policies are needed to safeguard long-term conservation efforts?