#12 June 7, 2024

« Circular Economy, Circular Work? »

Time: 5am San Francisco-Vancouver | 6am Mexico City | 8am NYC-Montréal | 9am Santiago | 2pm Paris–Johannesburg | 5.30pm New Delhi | 7pm Jakarta | 10pm Sydney 

Location: online 

Organizers: #DemocratizingWork and WageIndicator Foundation

Speakers : Martin Kuhlmann (Georg-August-Universität Göttingen), Frithjof Laubinger (OECD), Wairimu Mwangi (Loopworks Ventures and Circular Economy Catalyst program Kenya).

Chair: Lisa Herzog (Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Groningen)

The idea of a “circular economy” aims at reducing the use of natural resources by considering products from “cradle to cradle”, making the recycling and reuse of materials a basic principle of economic life. It is connected to the turn away from economic growth, traditionally understood, as aim of the economy, as discussed in the “degrowth” or “postgrowth” literature. What do these new models mean for work? Can work also be “circular”? What can one learn from non-traditional economic models, such as alternative forms of agriculture, about work that has left the growth mindset? Can work in a degrowth world still allow for personal growth and development, and how could a transition to such forms of work take place in different economic, cultural, and political contexts?

Lisa Herzog teaches political philosophy, with a focus on the philosophy of work. She has been on the core team of #DemocratizingWork since 2020.

Martin Kuhlmann is the Director of the Sociological Research Institute / Soziologisches Forschungsinstitut (SOFI) e.V. at the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen. His research covers the broad fields of sociology of work and labour relations. Martin has published on issues like work and new technologies, innovative work policies, sustainable work systems, and on current trends in labour relations. His most recent research project is on work and labour related to the idea of a circular economy.

Frithjof Laubinger is an environmental economist at the Environment Directorate of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). He focuses primarily on waste, resource efficiency and circular economy policy issues. He was involved in OECD’s work stream on the labour implications of the circular economy.  Frithjof holds a Master’s degree (MSc) in Environmental Economics and Policy from the Institute of Sustainable Resources at University College London and a Bachelor degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences from Amsterdam University College.

Wairimu Mwangi is a director at Loopworks Ventures; an Enterprise Support Organization (ESO) and currently the Adelphi’s implementing partner in Kenya supporting the Circular Economy Catalyst program. She is a qualified Business Development specialist in sustainable business assessments and development, environmental policy research, resource efficiency and conducting capacity building programs. As a circular economy and sustainability advocate, Wairimu has been developing and implementing programs that anchor and promote circular economy and inclusive economic growth for enterprises, public organizations and development organizations.

The recording is available in English on this page and below: