We are living in an era of cascading and compounding global risks—geopolitical fractures, humanitarian disasters, rising food insecurity, escalating biodiversity loss, unchecked technological disruption, pandemic threats, and accelerating climate breakdown—all intersecting in ways that are overwhelming existing institutions, as well as our individual ability to comprehend. To meet this moment, ASRA will convene "Currents of Change: New Horizons in Systemic Risk," the first transdisciplinary symposium dedicated to transforming how we analyze and respond to systemic risk. A central question among many will be: How do we transform away from risk and fragility to a just, resilient, and sustainable future?
Taking place June 7–9, 2025, at Les Fontaines, France, this high-impact gathering will bring together leading minds to examine what works and what doesn’t in risk management, and what must change to build a more resilient future for all life on Earth. The program brings together inspiring speakers and conversations with hands-on working sessions, and space to discover new possibilities at the intersection of crisis and opportunity.
We’re excited to announce the first lineup of speakers:
- Ben Okri – Nigerian-born poet, cultural activist, and author
- Bryan Bixcul (Maya-Tz'utujil) – Global Coordinator, SIRGE Coalition
- Catalina Jaime – Head of Climate and Conflict, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre
- Ruth Richardson – Executive Director, ASRA
- Thomas Homer-Dixon – Founder and Executive Director, Cascade Institute
- William Hynes – Senior Climate Change Economist and co-Director of the Coalition for Capacity on Climate Action (C3A), World Bank.
Additional speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Currents of Change symposium will convene 200+ world-leading experts from diverse sectors to explore the interconnections driving our polycrisis, what’s working and not working in risk assessment and response, and pathways toward more resilient futures for all living beings. The program integrates inspiring speakers and conversations with hands-on working sessions, and space to discover new possibilities at the intersection of crisis and opportunity.
This event is by invitation-only. To find out more, visit this page or contact Kasia Murphy, Director of Communications, ASRA: kmurphy@asranetwork.org