© Edizioni Centro Studi Erickson, Trento, 2025 — Counseling

Vol. 18, n. 2, giugno 2025 — pp. 111-113

PERSPECTIVES

Perspective

edited by Annamaria Di Fabio

By Prof. Marc A. Rosen¹

This new column presents view points, reflections and prospective indications of excellent colleagues, privileged witnesses, influential voices useful for a constructive approach in relation to the current challenges in research and intervention.

This series of contributions is opened by Prof. Marc A. Rosen following his participation in the international scientific event One-Day International Conference «Psychology of Sustainability and Sustainable Development: Preparing the ground beyond the Agenda 2030 for a Sustainable Sustainability», IAAP Special Project «Promoting Decent Work for All» and MANUREFINERY Horizon Project (June 3, 2025) at the Aula Magna of the Rectorate of the University of Florence (Italy). His considerations are precious for all of us for reflection and considering how to move forward.

I enjoyed thoroughly the one-day international conference «Psychology of Sustainability and Sustainable Development: Preparing the ground beyond the Agenda 2030 for a Sustainable Sustainability», IAAP Special Project «Promoting Decent Work for All» and MANUREFINERY Horizon Project, held 3 June 2025 at the Aula Magna of the Rectorate of the University of Florence, Italy, and found it both very interesting and quite useful. I have several observations, to convey at the close of the conference.

First, I am extremely grateful to and thank sincerely Prof. Dr. Annamaria Di Fabio, Full Professor of Work and Organizational Psychology, Psychology of Sustainability and Sustainable Development, Department of Education, Languages, Intercultures, Literatures and Psychology (Psychology Section), University of Florence, Italy for organizing such a fruitful and thought-provoking event. Holding this conference proved to be a tremendous way of bringing together a group of knowledgeable researchers interested in the topic, from various perspectives, and to allow for the sharing and exchange of ideas.

Second, I was strongly struck by the timeliness of this conference, given we are approaching the end of the 2015-30 period of the UN Sustainable Developments Goals. Focusing the topic on the conference subtitle «Preparing the ground beyond the Agenda 2030 for a Sustainable Sustainability» is very important — and in fact relevant and urgent — as it is imperative for societies and humanity to determine what comes next. This is particularly true given it is expected that well below half of the objectives to be attained under the Sustainability Development Goals will have been achieved by 2030.

Third, the multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary nature of the field of psychology of sustainability and sustainable development truly struck me, based on the range of attendees and topics covered. In hearing about the psychology of sustainability and sustainable development, the conference attendees heard from experts on many topics, who spoke about them passionately and informatively. Some examples of the topics covered:

• Work: The importance of work, particularly decent work, on social sustainability was made abundantly clear.
• Good lives: An essential aspect of sustainability is that people live well and have good lives.
• Organizations: The importance of organizations in contributing to sustainable development was emphasized, as was the impact that efforts to attain sustainability in society have on organizations.
• Balance: The need to balance many factors in striving towards sustainability was stressed, such as people achieving a good work-life balance.
• Human resources: It was explained that the need to have experts educated and trained in all facets of sustainability is critical and growing, making the field of growing importance and attractive for youth in terms of future employment opportunities.
• Health: A crucial aspect of sustainability was described as healthy communities and individuals, in terms of physical, mental and other aspects of health.
• Behavior: Understanding the behavior of people and communities, in terms of supporting or opposing efforts to become more sustainable, was observed to be important to understand and appreciate, and very much involves a psychological expertise.
• Industry and business: The role of industry and business in moving forward in terms of sustainability was demonstrated to be significant and growing, given the notable impacts of industry and business and their processes. But related concerns such as loss of jobs with productivity advances by industry and business are also growing.
• Technology: It was explained how the role of technology will be increasingly important as more comprehensive and effective measures are sought to facilitate and enhance sustainable development.
• Connectedness: The importance of people’s connectedness to nature and community, and other facets of the world, was shown to be increasingly in need of better understanding to help sustainability efforts.
• Self capital: The importance of self and its worth was shown to be noteworthy, and a promising resource for well-being and sustainability.

Although these topics can seem independent, they were knitted together by the theme of the psychology of sustainability and sustainable development.

My fourth observation at the close of the conference is that the reported developments are interesting and encouraging, but it is evident that more is needed to enhance understanding of the psychology of sustainability and sustainable development. This is perhaps not surprising given the relatively young nature of the field of sustainability.

Finally, my last comment is that, based on what I heard, I am heartened. I feel reassured that more advances will come soon and that the field of psychology of sustainability and sustainable development will advance markedly in the near future.