Registration

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Salon Restrepo

PLENARY: OPENING CEREMONY CEFA2017

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In recent years the term Circular Economy is increasingly used by many in the American Continent and each person or entity has a different understanding of what it stands for. As Circular Economy is a new and evolving term there is a need to trigger the regional dialogue to reach to a consensus-based definition of what Circular Economy is and what benefits it brings to the citizens of the Americas.

Therefore, the Circular Economy Platform of the Americas is dedicating the inaugural Circular Economy Forum of the Americas (CEFA) to the preparation and publication of the Medellin Declaration on Circular Economy. In this Declaration the findings and conclusions of the discussions held at the CEFA2017 will be recorded and signed by leading participating officials and representatives from the public sector, private sector, the academia, and the civil society/NGO sectors originating from the American Continent. 

The key questions to be answered during CEFA2017 are:

1. What is Circular Economy?

2. How does Circular Economy benefit the American Continent? 

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Speakers:

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Maria Lorena Gutierrez - TBC

Minister

Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism (MINCIT)

Colombia.

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Ambassador of CEFA2017

Federico Gutierrez - TBC

Mayor

City of Medellin

Colombia

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Kevin de Cuba

Director, Americas Sustainable Development Foundation (ASDF); Chair, Circular Economy Forum of the Americas (CEFA); and Founder and President, Circular Economy Platform of the Americas (CEP-Americas)

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Patio de las Azaleas

COFFEE BREAK & VISIT CEFA2017 INNOVATION SQUARE

At CEFA2017 a wide variety of entrepreneurs, researchers, educators, product manufacturers, and service providers contributing with the local, regional, and international transition toward circular economies are gathered at CEFA2017 Innovation Square. Visit the stands and get the know the people behind the innovative circular economy solutions and establish partnerships to engage in local, city, municipal, national, or regional activities and contribute to building a Circular Conscious Continent. 

Salon Restrepo

PLENARY: WHAT IS CIRCULAR ECONOMY? AND WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

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CEFA2017 has gathered a unique line-up of inspirational and thought-provoking speakers that originate from different countries, schools of thought, work experience, and that operate in different sectors of the economy. Each speaker has been part of the early exchanges and conceptualization of the concept of Circular Economy.

In this high-level discussion session, the speakers will share their perspectives of what Circular Economy is and explain why Circular Economy matters. The objective is to gather a better understanding of what Circular Economy is and contribute with the intellectual process of reaching to a consensus-based definition of its principles. 

Moderator:

Dr. Julian Kirchherr

Professor

Sustainable Business and Innovation and Circular Economy

Utrecht University

The Netherlands

Keynote Speakers:

Circular Economy

Ken Webster

Director of Innovation

Ellen MacArthur Foundation

United Kingdom

Cradle to Cradle

Lewis Perkins

President

Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute

United States

Biomimicry and Regenerative Design

Mark Dorfman

Principle and Biomimicry 3.8 Chemist

Biomimicry Institute

United States

Blue Economy

Gunter Pauli - TBC

Director

ZERI

Belgium

Industrial Ecology and Natural Capital

Paul Hawken - TBC

Executive Director

Project Drawdown

United States

Performance Economy

Walter Stahel - TBC

Founder and Director

Product-Life Institute

Switzerland

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Rapporteur:

Percy Griffiths

Product Circularity Assessment

​Systematic Innovation UK

Peru

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Patio SURA

LUNCH & NETWORKING

One of the core objectives of CEFA2017 is to enable networking and new partnerships for Circular Economy action in the region. CEFA2017 is hosted at the beautiful Botanical Gardens of Medellin, the City of Eternal Spring. This venue serves as a perfect environment to relax, get inspired, and have a good time while getting to know new people and talk business. Please make sure you use one of the designated meeting points and routes in the park and take a walk, enjoy the fresh air, break the ice, and make new friends and strategic partners. 

Salon Restrepo

PANEL DISCUSSION 1: EXPLORING CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS

Circular Economy Pioneers share opportunities for development of new circular business models in a rapidly changing and evolving global economy.

In this session the panel will focus on illustrating examples of circular business models originating from around the globe that can inspire you to develop new products and services according to the realities and needs in your current environment.

Moderator:

Ken Alston 

Senior Advisor, Circular Economy Platform of the Americas. Former CEO McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry and Global Director of Sustainability at S.C. Johnson.

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Speakers:

Eric Logtens 

ECOR Corporate Director Circular Economy, CEO Benelux, The Netherlands.

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Ignasi Cubinas

Founder and Director

Eco Intelligent Growth 

Spain

TBD

Philips

The Netherlands

TBD

Walmart

United States

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Rapporteur:

Federico Gomez Guisoli

Circular Economy Consultant

Mas Oxigeno / The Circulab

Argentina

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Salon Humbolt #1 / Mutis #1

 PANEL DISCUSSION 2: LESSONS LEARNED FROM INTERNATIONAL CIRCULAR ECONOMY EFFORTS

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Although the term Circular Economy is new to the American Continent, in other regions in the world many have been working for several years on developing new solutions and products that are compatible with the Circular Economy principles.

In this session, international colleagues will share how they engaged in promoting and creating awareness about Circular Economy and how they have been finding ways to create the right conditions for the application of the Circular Economy principles in their respective countries and regions.

Moderator:

Carla Tennenbaum

Co-Founder

Ideia Circular

Brazil

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Speakers:

Jinxiang-Yu 

Deputy Dean

Gansu Circular Economy and Sustainable Development Policy Research Center

China

Kari Herlevi - TBC

Director Circular Economy

Finish Innovation Institute (SITRA)

Finland

TBD

Circular Economy

TNO Science and Innovation

The Netherlands

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Rapporteur:

Daniel Gomez 

Founder and Director

Circular Economy Hub of Colombia

Colombia

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Salon Humbolt #2 / Mutis #2

PANEL DISCUSSION 3: THE GLOBAL CIRCULAR ECONOMY MARKET POTENTIAL AND INNOVATIONS

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Many are still wondering what market potential the circular economy represents for the international community. Not only large established multinationals are engaging actively in research and development, but also entrepreneurs in different disciplines and economic sector are increasingly exploring ways to innovate and bring about new solutions, products and services in line with Circular Economy thinking.

In this session the panel is going to discuss what they believe the global circular economy market potential is and what types of innovations in law, financing, and technological changes are needed to remain relevant in this new global economic model.

Moderator:

Maria de los Angeles Franco

Consultant, Sustainable Food Value Chain

Coffee Economics and Science

Peru

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Panelists:

Roy Vercoulen

Director and CoFounder

Circular IQ

Winner of the Amsterdam Circular Challenge 2017

The Netherlands

Nicola Cerantola

Founder and Director

Ecologing

Spain

John Fullerton – TBC

Founder and President

Capital Institute

United States

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Rapporteur:

Jose Antonio Gonzalez Cardozo

Product Life Cycle Management Specialist

Agora Europe

Venezuela

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MID-DAY SNACK & VISIT CEFA2017 IDEAS CORNER

Inspired by the colleagues of the World Circular Economy Forum, CEFA2017 is happy to offer the CEFA2017 Ideas Corner. A small stage is provided to allow any participant to the Forum to have 3 minutes of fame and present an idea, project, or activity that is worth sharing with the crowd circulating and having a drink near the area. This is a great opportunity for many that want to draw attention to their work, products and services and facilitate match-making at CEFA2017.    

Salon Restrepo

PLENARY: WHAT DID WE LEARN TODAY?

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As explained at the launch of CEFA2017, this year’s forum is dedicated to answering two key questions. What is Circular Economy? And what benefits does it bring to the American Continent?

In this concluding plenary, the rapporteurs that participated and documented the key findings and conclusions of the morning plenary sessions and discussion panels will present the key outcomes of the discussions with the aim to answer the first key question, which is What is Circular Economy?

All the recorded information will be processed in the CEFA2017 Report which will be shared with high-level authorities across the American Continent as a white paper and source of information, inspiration, guidance for triggering national policy discussions and preparation of National Circular Roadmaps. 

Moderator:

Jose Alejandro Martinez

Director of Sustainability Department

Institute for sustainable entrepreneurship

EAN University

Colombia

Rapporteurs:

Percy Griffiths

Product Circularity Assessment

​Systematic Innovation UK

Peru

Federico Gomez Guisoli

Circular Economy Consultant

Mas Oxigeno / The Circulab

Argentina

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Daniel Gomez 

Founder and Director

Circular Economy Hub of Colombia

Colombia

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Side Events and Entertainment

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