The Center for Ecological Economics and Ethics of the Bodo Graduate School of Business, University of Nordland organizes the 2016 Annual European SPES Conference in May 27-29, 2016, in Bodo, Norway. The topic of the conference is „Integral Ecology, Earth Spirituality and Economics”.

Pope Francis’ encyclical letter Laudato si’  (Praised Be: On the Care of Our Common Home)  is an excellent opportunity for building a conversation between science and spirituality on ecology and sustainable development. Integral Ecology proposed by the encyclical integrates concerns for people and the planet. An integral transdisciplinary understanding of the world ties science to human values. It sees the world as systemically linked ecology, economy, equity and justice accessible through natural and social sciences, arts and humanities. Integral ecology and transdisciplinarity show a path to sustainable development through frugal consumption, acknowledging the intrinsic value of nature, and seeking holistic actionable knowledge.