The international scientific conference Population and Environment: Challenges and Perspectives was held on October 24 in Belgrade, at the Madlena Art Palace. Organized by the project team POPENVIROS (Population & Environment: Challenges and Perspectives) consisted of the professors and researchers from the University of Belgrade (Faculty of Geography, Faculty of Organizational Sciences, Faculty of Economics and Business) and the Institute of Social Sciences (Centre for Demographic Research), the conference brought together experts from the fields of demography, ecology, economics, geography, medicine, spatial planning, and related disciplines. The main goal was to deepen the understanding of the interdependence between demographic trends and environmental conditions and to jointly explore sustainable solutions for the complex challenges of today.
The conference was opened by Dr. Natalija Mirić, project leader of POPENVIROS, who presented the main project results and announced upcoming activities. The audience was also addressed by Prof. Velimir Šećerov (Dean, Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade), Jelena Pajić (Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, PRIZMA program), and Justine Coulson (Director, UNFPA Serbia Office).
Plenary lectures were delivered by: Prof. Vladimir Đurđević, who presented his research “Digital Climate Atlas of Serbia: Supporting Awareness and Action on Extreme Climate Events in Serbia” offering insights into tools and strategies for understanding and responding to climate-related risks; Prof. Raya Muttarak, with a lecture titled “Assessing the Potential Impact of Climate Change on Fertility Patterns” focusing on how ecological shifts may influence reproductive behavior and demographic trends; Dr. Roman Hoffmann (IIASA – International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis), who spoke on “Climate Change, Environmental Risks, and Migration in Southeastern Europe” highlighting the need for integrated, evidence-based policy responses.
Following the plenary session, a panel discussion “Environmental Changes, Demographic and Socio-Economic Processes in Serbia” was held. It was moderated by Prof. Vera Gligorijević, and panelists were: Dr. Elizabet Paunović (retired Director, WHO Europe), Prof. Veljko Jeremić (University of Belgrade – Faculty of Organizational Sciences), and Prof. Daniela Arsenović (University of Novi Sad – Faculty of Sciences).
The program continued with three thematic sessions:
- Environmental Challenges
- Demographic Challenges of the 21st Century
- Demographic Dynamics in the Context of Environmental Pressures
A total of 18 scientific papers and 20 posters were presented, enabling participants to directly exchange experiences and ideas with the authors.
More details can be found at the project’s website.
Photo credit: PopEnviros
Published: November 9, 2025
