The International Summer School of Political Ecology: The Political Ecology of Self-Sufficiency

WHEN: June 29 - July 2

WHERE: UL FSS

The Political Ecology of Self-Sufficiency: between Eco-nationalism and Just Transition

In the context of the environmental crisis and growing social inequalities changes in international relations are increasingly challenging the dominant paradigm of globalization that has shaped the global economy in recent decades. Due to the destabilization of supply chains, escalating geopolitical tensions, and the exceeding of ecological limits, concepts such as self-sufficiency and sovereignty are receiving more attention in both academic discourse and political practice.  

Calls for self-sufficiency frequently challenge our reliance on global markets and fossil fuel-based infrastructure, as well as the profit-driven nature of the economy. Various community initiatives at the local level strive for self-sufficiency in food and energy to reduce the environmental footprints, reclaim collective autonomy, and experiment with decommodified forms of living. At the same time, the intensification of interstate competition is giving rise to the importance of ideas of national self-sufficiency, with contradictory effects. Strategic autonomy is an important goal, particularly for countries in a subordinate position within the world system. However, the pursuit of self-sufficiency can reinforce authoritarian statism and undermine international cooperation. 

The International Summer School of Political Ecology 2026 aims to provide greater conceptual clarity around self-sufficiency and critically examine its various political meanings. While identifying the political dangers inherent in calls for self-sufficiency, the  focus will be on the emancipatory potential of these ideas, which could contribute to a just green transition.

This year, the international summer school will feature the following guest speakers:

• Dr. Ulrich Brand, Professor of International Politics at the University of Vienna,
• Dr. Hibst Wendemu Kassa, Research Associate in Community, Adult & Workers’ Education at the University of Johannesburg and a member of the Institute for Environmental Futures at the University of Leicester,
• Dr. Andrea Ghelfi, researcher in environmental and territorial sociology at the Department of Political and Social Sciences at the University of Florence,
• Morgan Ody, mall-scale farmer in Brittany, France and the general coordinator of La Via Campesina, the global peasant movement,
• Dr. Martín Lallana, eco-socialist militant, a member of the editorial team of the magazine Viento Sur, and has published numerous articles on strategic discussion and an ecological transition officer of the LAB trade union (Basque Country),
• Dr. Manuela Zechner, researcher, educator, organiser, co-founder of the Common Ecologies school, produces the Earthcare Fieldcast and is affiliated with the Centre for Applied Ecological Thinking at Copenhagen University and
• Dr. Henrique Tahan Novaes, Professor of Philosophy and Sciences at UNESP (São Paulo State University), Brazil.

Learn more about the summer school and the programme on the link.