World events, political upheavals, technological developments, and scientific breakthroughs are moving at a breathtaking pace, providing significant challenges to the conservation movement. In order to help IUCN keep up with changing conditions and important developments in the global conservation agenda, twelve Interaction Sessions were scheduled at the 2nd World Conservation Congress to discuss topics as varied as Environment and Security, Forests for life, and the Ecological limits of climate change. Both the preparations for the sessions and the sessions themselves were designed to ensure broad input and fruitful dialogue from all participants. This publication summarizes each Interactive Session and highlights both the new ideas identified and specific recommendations on how IUCN can successfully address them.