The overarching focus of the N2 2024 conference is the Noosphere & the Global South. In light of this and our current global challenges, we pose two grand questions: “What are we here for?”—as in, why, at this moment, is it important to meet at this location, which is both a gateway to Africa and the crossroads of three global regions? and also, what is our larger purpose here, in this geographic location and here, on our shared planet? And we also ask, “What are we for?” In the face of a widespread climate of negativity, where the dominant mood is to shout what we are against, what is it that we joyfully affirm? To what do we give our enthusiastic assent and our human energy?

In exploring these grand questions, we will engage with the following themes:

• The Noosphere as a Vision of Global Collective Intelligence
• Sustainability, Governance and Cooperation in the Noosphere
• Technology, Modernity and Democracy in the Noosphere
• Cooperation, Economy and Future Business Models in the Noosphere
• The Third Story of the Universe: an evolutionary narrative
• Beyond the Science and Religion Antagonism
• Tackling Collective Anxiety, Depression and Despair
• Cultivating Optimism Culture for the Future
• Moral Positivity, Enjoyment and Love
• Transcendence and Awe in the Noosphere