Conference Theme and Programme

Conference Theme and Objectives
The theme for the 6th National Global Change Conference is: TRANSFORMATIVE SCIENCE FOR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT IN A CHANGING WORLD, with priority being given to the following sub-themes: Entrepreneurship for socio-economic development and Empowerment; Impacts of Geopolitics on Science; Weather and Climate Extremes.

• Provide a platform for sharing and discussing current South African research, technology and innovation trends and developments within the global change realm, and solutions to some of   the environment challenges of our time;
• Facilitate networking among the global change stakeholders and community with a view creating and strengthening partnerships that will improve research and catalyse innovation; and
• Build and grow the next generation of young researchers and innovators that can contribute to addressing some of the challenges facing society.

Programme
The final conference programme will be formally announced by end of October 2025, with drafts being regularly updated on the conference website, and regular email contacts being made with those who have expressed interest. The conference will be structured into six major components:

• Opening plenary session for keynote addresses and an invited science talk;
• General plenary sessions for high level presentations on topics of general interest and/or identified sub-themes;
• Parallel sessions for oral presentations or selected research/technical papers, and case studies;
• Poster sessions;
• Panel discussions for invited groups to share their perspectives on selected topics; and
• Field trips, side events and exhibitions of products of services in line with the conference theme (scientific and non-scientific).