RETOUCH NEXUS at SEAM 2025 – Advancing Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem Governance in Slovakia

door | sep 9, 2025 | Case study activity, Conferences, Event, Slovak CS

Nitra, Slovakia | September 11-12, 2025 

The RETOUCH NEXUS project is proud to participate in the Slovak Economic Association Meeting (SEAM 2025), taking place at the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra on September 11-12, 2025. This prestigious annual gathering brings together leading economists, researchers, and policymakers from across Slovakia and Central Europe to discuss the most pressing economic challenges of our time. 
A Comprehensive Economic Forum 

SEAM 2025 represents one of Central Europe’s most significant economic conferences, featuring diverse streams covering labor markets, behavioral economics, macroprudential policy, environmental economics, and innovative approaches to sustainable development. With keynote speeches from internationally renowned experts including Jan C. van Ours from Erasmus University Rotterdam and Johan F. M. Swinnen from the International Food Policy Research Institute, the conference promises to deliver cutting-edge insights into contemporary economic challenges. 

The conference program spans two intensive days with parallel sessions covering critical topics such as: 

  • Labor Market Dynamics: From Roma employment integration to AI’s impact on European labor markets 
  • Financial Innovation: ESG investing, cryptocurrency markets, and banking system resilience 
  • Climate and Sustainability: Environmental economics, green taxation, and sustainable consumption patterns 
  • Food Security: Geopolitical risks, local food systems, and agricultural transformation 
  • Gender Economics: Women’s participation in corporate governance and research funding 
          Spotlight on Water Governance 

          Of particular significance for sustainable development advocates is the dedicated “Water Management and Governance: WEFE Nexus Approach” special session, featuring cutting-edge research from the RETOUCH NEXUS project and TRANSCEND project teams. This session exemplifies the conference’s commitment to addressing real-world challenges through integrated, interdisciplinary approaches. 

          Featured RETOUCH NEXUS Presentations: 
          • “Water pricing and system dynamics modelling within the Nexus” Presenters: Maria Vrachioli Cian Twohig, Pietro Sala, Maria Vrachioli
          • “Modelling water–energy Nexus in Germany’s Upper Main basin with WEAP–LEAP: energy-transition and climate-change impacts on water security” Presenters: Mattia Digiusto, Jingshui Huang 
          • “Applying the New Water Paradigm into Geospatial Mapping for Nature Based Water Retention” Presenters: Sanchari Ghosh, Joshua Holzer, Martin Kováč, Michal Kravčík, Markus Disse, Jingshui Huang 
          • “TRANSCEND project – transformational adaptation policy to water scarcity and climate change: vulnerabilities and challenges in the Nitra River Basin” Presenter: Róbert Blaško 
          • “WEFE Nexus in Slovakia: Issues, policies, infrastructure and stakeholders” Presenters: Ján Pokrivčák, Miroslava Rajčániová, Ema Lazorčáková, Marián Tóth 
          Building Bridges Between Research and Policy 

          SEAM 2025’s inclusion of the Water Management and Governance session demonstrates the growing recognition that economic development must integrate environmental sustainability and resource security. The conference provides an ideal platform for RETOUCH NEXUS researchers to engage with economists, policymakers, and stakeholders who shape Slovakia’s development trajectory. 

                  Conference Details 

                  Event: Slovak Economic Association Meeting (SEAM 2025)  

                  Dates: September 11-12, 2025  

                  Location: Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovakia  

                  Water Management Session: Thursday, September 11, Conference room IEPandF, S pavilion Ground floor 

                  The conference also features networking opportunities including a welcome drink on September 10 and a conference dinner with awards ceremony on September 11, providing valuable opportunities for continued discussion and collaboration beyond the formal sessions. 

                  Looking Forward 

                  The participation of RETOUCH NEXUS researchers in SEAM 2025 represents more than just academic presentation, it’s a commitment to translating cutting-edge research into practical solutions for Slovakia and Europe. As the region grapples with climate change impacts, energy transitions, and sustainable development challenges, the integrated approaches pioneered by RETOUCH NEXUS offer pathways toward more resilient and sustainable futures. 

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