The organizing institutions were “Centre d’Etudes et de Recherche Amérique Latine Europe” (CERALE), the Business School of the Universidad de Los Andes and the “Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Paris” (ESCP).

More than 120 representatives from academy, corporations, and institutions participated at the conference. Around 30 papers applied to present their findings at the Public Policies, Innovation and Sustainable Development Session, only three passed the scientific committee, and InnoForESt was one of them. “Disruptive world” from the title can be interpreted as the current situation of climate change, new global responsibilities for Europe after the USA announced a withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Latin America has been successful in minimizing poverty and increased food security but is struggling to provide its population with sustainable and inclusive growth while rethinking the relationship to its economic ties to the USA. Furthermore, peace, justice and the strengthening of institutions are of great importance, for both regions.

The participants of the session on Public Policies, Innovation and Sustainable Development Session were highly interested in the InnoForESt project, asking for more information and its development in the near future. Through conversations afterward, we heard about a similar project as represented in the InnoForESt project. The Colombian equivalent to “Waldaktie” from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is called “BanCO2” and is successfully implemented in the Antioquia Department. A network to members of BanCO2, other scientists from NGOs and institutions, as well as associates from the private sector, has been established to learn, exchange knowledge and experiences on how innovations, new business models and the provision of ecosystem services can be managed efficiently in Europe and in Latin America.