We are pleased to annouce the 2020 REN21 Academy will happen virtually, 23-25 November 2020.
If you would like to attend, please fill in the form on the next page.
What is the REN21 Academy?
The REN21 Academy is a biennial event, organised by and for the REN21 Community. It brings together changemakers from across the globe to tackle the biggest challenges in the switch to renewable energy, with the goal to inspire action.
This year, we’re trying something new. In the past, the REN21 Community came together in person, using the ‘vital power of many’ to fuel progress. In 2020 we will maintain this 'vital power': the REN21 Academy will be held virtually, our biggest online event ever, as an interactive laboratory that creates space for exchange, collaboration and problem solving.
2020 REN21 Academy Theme
This year's REN21 Academy comes at a critical time. We’ve all heard it before - “The shift to renewables must happen now”. But what is preventing us from making this shift? And, what if the disruption caused by COVID-19 really is our last chance?
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have shown that ‘business-as-usual’ is harmful to people and the planet. A crisis of this scale causes disruption, and thus the opportunity to question and improve what is considered ‘normal’.
We can use this momentum to pursue the deep, structural change that has been needed for decades. To fast-forward the uptake of renewables, alleviate uneven development and address the climate crisis. Until now, the energy transition has been a gradual evolution. We need a major breakthrough, and the time for this “revolution” is now.
The Agenda
Our virtual lead-up events will set the scene and spark your thinking before the REN21 Academy. Thus, we will build a shared knowledge-base that we can pull from during the main days.
The agenda for the main days of the REN21 Academy (23-25 November) is organised around three thematic blocks:
- Policy: Making Renewable Energy a Political Priority
- Markets: Renewables Everywhere - Bridging Demand and Supply
- Society: Building Societal Support for Renewables
Participants will indicate which of these blocks they would like to participate in. The blocks allow the REN21 Community to meet in the virtual space, share perspectives, ask tough questions and innovate together. Each thematic block includes a variety of sessions, guiding participants from obstacles to action. Plus, there will be plenty of virtual networking, screen-breaks and inspirational talks.
The bulk of sessions will run between 11:00 and 17:00 CET on each day. These will be supplemented by time-zone-specific side events and networking on the main days of the REN21 Academy.
Sessions will take the form of:
- CoLabs: collaborative workshops in blocks for small-group ideation and hands-on problem solving
- All Hands: all-participant sessions to listen, learn and be inspired
- Community Hangouts: quizzes, regional networking and free space to connect
- Knowledge Library: series of short videos on energy and cross-cutting topics for participants to peruseext here.
- Timezone in Focus: events and networking in local timezones
Your Committment
At the 2020 REN21 Academy we will work collaboratively, as is reflective of REN21’s multi-stakeholder identity. This is not a series of webinars using video conferencing - instead, we will engage in active sessions to define and tackle challenges head-on. So, prepare to be seen and heard throughout!
Participants will contribute to tackling key energy challenges and sessions are designed to build on each other, creating a dynamic framework for action. Therefore, it is important that the same participants attend all three days of the REN21 Academy.