This year’s FERA Conference theme is Education and Research – Towards Sustainable and Global Future. The event will bring more than 500 educational experts to the University of Lapland.

The sustainability transition requires new and creative thinking as well as solutions from education and research to lay the foundation for a sustainable society. The FERA Conference invites participants to discuss current themes that can collectively help build a sustainable and global future.

Ilkka Ratinen, Professor of Sustainability and Nature Education at the University of Lapland, emphasizes the importance of cooperation in supporting the sustainability transition.

“In times of multiple crises, we need all disciplines to advance the sustainability transition. In educational sciences, we focus particularly on addressing and promoting the emotions, knowledge, and skills related to building a sustainable future”, Ratinen tells.

Keynote speakers introduce themes

The event will feature three keynote speakers. Professor Gert Biesta (Maynooth University, Ireland) will discuss the sustainable future of education in his presentation. Professor Arto O. Salonen (University of Eastern Finland) will focus on planetary concept of civilization as a solution to the challenges of our time of crisis. Professor Reetta Toivanen (Institute for Sustainability Science, University of Helsinki) will delve into the sustainability challenges of the Arctic region and indigenous peoples.

During the event, dozens of themed group meetings and symposia focusing on topics in greater depth will be held. In addition, there will be a poster exhibition presenting research activities and results.

FERA Conference 2025

Further information:

Chair of the Organizing Committee
Professor Heli Ruokamo
Faculty of Education, University of Lapland
+358 40 587 9090
heli.ruokamo@ulapland.fi