Conference Theme: “The Economics of Interbeing”

Dates: Wednesday 2nd July - Friday 4th of Jul, 2025 (To be Confirmed)

Medium: Hybrid - In person and Zoom

Location: ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

Proposal Submission Deadline: (To be Confirmed)

Topic: Rarely since the 1970s has the global economy seemed so turbulent, and livelihoods so precarious. The march of globalization has slowed. The shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the multiplication of natural disasters, because of climate change, have upset financial markets and supply chains, contributing to rising inflation and labour market instability. The tragic return of conflict to the Middle East only underscores the pattern of rising geopolitical risk and economic insecurity. Many intentional communities must rethink their economic models, as their members face increasing economic precarity and the pool of external supporters shrinks, as a result of decreased disposable income among potential participants in their educational and cultural programs, as well as crises in foundations and other philanthropic organizations. In this sense, the "Interbeing" concept raises awareness of our interconnectedness within this chaos, and of opportunities to address overlapping crises by changing human relationships with the environment that sustains us from the local to the global level and among the diversity of individuals, peoples, and nations. 

The International Communal Studies Association 2025 conference is dedicated to exploring strategies that intentional communities have developed to face this crisis. 

Lisbon, being a showcase of the contradictions of late capitalism, as well as of the colonial and post-colonial legacies of Europe, as well as of the contradictions of late capitalism, offers a fertile context for exploring these topics. The lingering effects of the structural adjustment programs of the 2010’s, as well as of mass tourism, coexist with the vibrant community dynamics of multi-ethnic neighborhoods. There are internationally notorious examples of community-led initiatives taking the leadership in engaging public institutions and academia in developing solutions for addressing the ensuing challenges.

We are very interested in receiving research papers, as well as narrative accounts from community members and other practitioners, focusing on: 

• innovative internal economic strategies developed by intentional communities, as well as their participation in the development of solidarity economy networks, namely through the application of Social Permaculture and the development of community-led social currencies, alternative commercialization circuits, and other forms of social entrepreneurship, such as Solidarity Tourism;

• accounts of collaboration between intentional communities and public authorities in the development of strategies for supporting territories facing economic decline, violent conflict, biodiversity loss or famine, homelessness, and disease as effects of climate change and intersectional injustices embedded in capitalist societies. 

Proposals:  We will welcome all proposals associated with contemporary and historical intentional communities, for the following conference formats: 

• Academic paper (a 20-minute scholarly paper).

• Panel (a group of two to four presenters in a 90-minute thematic panel, submitted as one proposal, typically with a scholarly focus).

• Workshop (a 60-minute session offering practical ideas for communities).

• Cultural/artistic event (a 60-minute cultural/artistic session led by the submitter – e.g., music, story-telling, poetry, etc.).

• Interactive event (a 60-minute session moderated by the submitter promoting audience participation – e.g., yoga, casual conversation, thematic discussion).