#CSSI2024 Conference in Cape Town, South Africa on Cross-Sectoral Collaboration

On the 3rd until 6th of April 2024, Margarita, one of the Research Assistnants from the Digital+Sustainable Innovation Lab attended the Cross-Sector Social Interactions Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. Hosted by the Graduate School of Business - University of Cape Town, the conference theme was "Power and Inclusion", bringing together academics and practitioners working on cross-sector collaboration to exchange knowledge and experience on how to effectively partner for sustainable development.

‍

Within the four days full of learning and insightful conversations, Margarita presented her research project about "Digitally Enabled Business Models for a Fair and Sustainable Energy Transition"supervised by René Bohnsack and funded by Galp Chair for Innovation and Systemic Impact.

‍

Massive thank you for the organizers for putting this together and all the participants who made it so memorable.

‍

‍

Reflecting back on the event, the highlight for Margarita was the interactive closing plenary session, where the learnings and key takeaways from the paper-driven sessions, panel conversations and learning journeys were discussed across different levels.

‍

A quote that stuck with me: “Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic,” which encapsulates the power dynamics in the context of deeply rooted inequality and historical injustice.

‍