General information

Still recovering from the pandemic crisis, our increasingly globalised world has been immersed in a war with far-reaching repercussions. Despite the threats and destruction to which our planet has been subjected, a multiplicity of ecosystems persists even though they are suffering a critical loss of biodiversity. It is very common to find a combination of dynamic, multifunctional territories in these ecosystems neighboured by others in decline, where development and sustainability are at stake. These spaces show the indelible effects of climate change and particularly of human intervention, further aggravated by the ongoing war in Europe. However, awareness of these critical issues is growing and their impact on the environmental, economic and social levels has fostered the need for intervention at multiple different scales. Thus, strategies are being designed that focus on inclusive development based not only on the conservation of landscapes and heritage but also on the revitalisation of social frameworks. To achieve these aims, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the UN and embodied in the "Agenda 2030" are of mandatory reference, representing imperative challenges in the current context of warfare in the European area which aggravates social inequalities and particularly environmental problems, among others. The aim is to eradicate poverty while promoting equal access to energy, education, and quality health services. Another area of focus is the creation of jobs and energy efficiency, in addition to the conservation and management of endogenous resources. The intention is also to promote effective institutions and stable societies where justice, peace, health care, and gender equality are unequivocal and inclusive. Policy convergence is required to achieve these goals, where environmental and social strategies gain priority over strictly economic motives. They should be clearly guided by innovation and ethics, sustained by digital resources, and dedicated to increasing literacy and technical training. These principles pave the way towards greater territorial cohesion as the most effective means of overcoming the systemic and multifaceted crisis we have experienced in recent times. It is, therefore, necessary to continue to reflect on these topics without ignoring their complexity and territorial diversity. The European space should be compared with others, in a symbiosis that can foster innovative and catalysing projects, aimed at the development of an increasingly more resilient and innovative society. The prime objective, evident in the previous editions of this event, also persists: the approach to current problems in a scientific, creative, multidisciplinary, and inter-university setting, highlighting the search for strategies to mitigate these problems within a framework of sustainability and resilience. This event, organised by the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Porto with several national and international partners, is increasingly acknowledged as a research network that seeks to provide answers to emerging challenges. Thus, in 2024, the XVIII International Seminars on the Overarching Issues of the European Area will feature a Scientific Committee including renowned national and international scholars from more than a dozen countries, centred on the theme of “Building Resilient and Sustainable Territories”, fostering a multifaceted, innovative and holistic approach. The event also has a prestigious Honours Committee, whose members are national and international figures from various areas of public and institutional life, ranging from teaching and research to politics, the business sector and civil society. They have made a unique contribution to deepening the topics addressed at this event. There is an urgent need to continue on this path, following all the relevant directives in the hope of expanding more sustainable and resilient territories, as well as more consolidated communities!