Diverse cultural values shape the way we see the world. Embracing this diversity gives us a broader range of strategies for achieving sustainability.

Over the past few centuries, Western science, economics and culture have become increasingly pervasive as global norms. Yet, recent shifts such as the Asia-Pacific resurgence of indigenous identities -- along with social justice movements around race/ethnicity, gender, religion and sexuality -- are chipping away at dominant hegemonies. Some perceive these changes as a threat, while others celebrate the diversity of emerging or re-emerging values as vital building blocks for creating a resilient, adaptive and just future.

This session will explore how a diversity of culture and values can be useful in designing strategies for sustainability. It will have a special focus on how to integrate indigenous knowledge, culture and values with other discourses in ways that promote the long-term sustainability of Hawai'i. Big ideas from this conversation will offer insights on the acute sustainability challenges of island states, which are at the leading edge of what we will have to tackle on a planetary scale in this century.

Please RSVP by March 14. See also Business, Sustainability and the Bottom Line, offered on Wednesday, March 23, from 3:00-5:30 p.m.