Introduction to
21st IRDO International Conference:
INNOVATIVE, SUSTAINABLE & SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE SOCIETY 2026:
Sustainability Management in Organisations

The 21st IRDO International Conference brings together important topics on sustainability management, social responsibility, organisational governance, ESG practices, sustainable reporting, digital transformation and artificial intelligence.

This year’s conference asks how sustainability can be integrated into the management of organisations and transferred from strategic documents into everyday practice. This question is becoming increasingly important as organisations face stronger environmental, social and governance expectations, including more demanding forms of sustainability reporting and a growing need to demonstrate real operational performance.

The contributions gathered in this Book of Abstracts reflect the interdisciplinary and international character of the IRDO conference. More than 70 authors with more than 40 papers address current challenges in sustainable development, responsible leadership, social impact, systems thinking, sustainable communities, digital transformation and the responsible use of artificial intelligence. Together, they show that sustainability management is not only a technical or regulatory task, but also a systemic, ethical and practical challenge for organisations and society.

Attention is given to the connection between science and practice. Researchers, experts, representatives of the economy, public sector, non-governmental organisations and students present knowledge, experiences and good practices that can support the transition toward more sustainable organisational models.

For twenty-one years, the IRDO International Conference has served as one of the important professional and scientific platforms for social responsibility and sustainable development in Slovenia and beyond. The 2026 conference continues this tradition by creating a space for dialogue, cooperation and the development of approaches that contribute to long-term economic, social and environmental impacts.

The purpose of the conference is what it does: it brings together researchers, experts, practitioners and students who seek to understand how organisations can innovate responsibly, manage sustainability in practice and contribute to a society that leads with responsibility towards the environment and future generations.

 In the name of Program and Organizational Boards of 21^st IRDO International Conference