Sustainability at IBRO 2023
Going Green Together
We believe that we all have a part to play in preserving our future for generations to come, both locally and across the globe.
From the IBRO World Congress’ point of view, we think everyone has a role to play in maintaining a healthy and sustainable ecosystem. And even small actions matter! Therefore, we’ve taken steps to make the meeting more environmentally friendly.
IBRO World Congress 2023 and the Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, also called the Global Goals) are 17 goals with 169 targets that all UN Member States have agreed to work toward achieving by 2030. They set out a plan for a world without poverty, hunger, and disease.
We at the IBRO Congress want to contribute to the achievement of these objectives in our value chain. We support and work toward the following SDGs:
Contributions you can make as an IBRO Congress Delegate:
As individuals and as a community, we can and should individually contribute to protecting the earth and its natural systems and resources and to sustaining the natural ecological balance of the ecosystem. Here is what we encourage you to do during the IBRO World Congress 2023 in Granada:
- Use the mobile app and the virtual platform (instead of printing) to inquire about the programme details.
- Use more sustainable ways of travelling to and around Granada. Granada is a very walkable city, with many public transportation options. If you are coming to the city from within Spain, we also advise you to choose a train instead of a flight.
- Opt for reusable mugs and bottles. We will make sure there are enough water fountains around the venue, don´t forget your bottle!
- Reduce the waste you generate and separate disposal.
- Opt for a vegetarian option when available and possible.
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Our top priority is to make high-quality education available to our community. Our goals include eliminating educational gaps between genders and geographic communities; providing more accessible conference options; and enhancing the quality of the scientific programme.
What we are doing in 2023:
- Special Sessions for early career professionals (please check the selection of dedicated sessions here)
- Hosting Lab Programme for Early Career Professionals (more information here)
- IBRO Travel Grants: The IBRO Travel Grant program aims to foster neuroscience research by providing support to early-career PhD students and post-doctoral fellows from diverse geographical and scientific areas who wish to participate in international neuroscience meetings and events
- Interactive SPEED-NEURODATING session to pair Early Career Professionals with mentors (11 September)
- Presentations of clinical and laboratory findings from applied research that encourage audience participation
- Special keynote presentations delivered by a large number of internationally renowned experts covering the full spectrum of neuroscience topics
- Legacy projects: the IBRO World Congress 2023 wants to create a legacy in Granada and share the knowledge with the residents of the city. For that purpose, two different activities have been prepared to include the general public and to further neuroscience education:
– Neuro-Cañas: friendly and easy-going sessions outside of the main Congress Schedule organized by the Early Career Programme Committee in bars around the city dedicated to the general public. The sessions aim to bring neuroscience to everyone in a fun and easygoing way.
– The “Butterflies of the Soul: the drawings of Santiago Ramón y Cajal” exhibition displays a selection of drawings and original art pieces of Santiago Ramón y Cajal, all of which belong to the Cajal Legacy. The exhibition will be connected to the current research of the Institute of Neurosciences `Federico Olóriz`of the University of Granada and the upcoming 11th IBRO World Congress of Neuroscience. Admission to the exhibition is free of charge.
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
We ensure inclusiveness and equality for committee members, presenters, and invited speakers.
What we are doing in 2023:
- Aim for and monitor gender equality and equal access among our delegates, presenters, and committee members.
- Make our meeting a welcoming, inclusive space for people of all ages, genders, and abilities.
- IBRO Congress will provide an on-site daycare service for all parents who choose to bring their children with them to the congress. Please note that you are required to reserve a spot for your child, and you can do so during the registration process.
- Don´t miss the Special Session on The Gender Gap in Science Is Not Only Unfair, It Is Economically Unwise (12th September)
Reduce inequality within and between countries.
Reducing inequalities and ensuring that no one is left behind is an integral part of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and it is one of the main objectives of the International Brain Research Organization.
What we are doing in 2023:
- IBRO Travel Grants: The IBRO Travel Grant program aims to foster neuroscience research by providing support to early-career PhD students and post-doctoral fellows from diverse geographical and scientific areas who wish to participate in international neuroscience meetings and events.
- Create a programme that features diverse topics and speakers from various backgrounds, geographical regions and experiences.
- Several Special Sessions are organized to prompt the dialogue and exchange of expertise related to global scientific participation:
- WWN/IBRO Global Collaborations, Functional Research Network (10th September)
- Fostering Global Dialogue and Partnerships In Brain Research (11th September)
- Better Together: Making Neuroscience Research and Its Benefits Global (11th September)
- Tackling Global Issues in Neuroscience Research: African, Asian and Latin-American Perspectives (12th September)
- Advancing Global Engagement (13 September)
- Reduced rates for Low and Middle-Income Countries
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
We recognise the environmental impact that large-scale events like the IBRO World Congress can have, so sustainable production and consumption are one of our top priorities in organising the 2023 Congress. We are working with our suppliers to ensure maximum positive change.
What we are doing in 2023:
- A mini-programme will be printed instead of the full programme, and the rest of the information will be shared digitally via the Congress App
- For the printed and branded materials, we are using local partners and less economically damaging product alternatives
- We encourage all of our exhibitors to participate in this initiative by reducing single-use giveaways at their booths
- Delegate badge collection and recycling at the end of the event
- We work with our local catering partner to ensure the use of local and seasonal products, to reduce the transportation footprint of the congress