The congress theme reflected that landscape ecology is a meeting point - where pattern and process meet people and action - seen as a way of thinking when dealing with European landscapes. We wanted to put emphasis on the integration of pattern and process as a biophysical component of landscape ecology with people and action, bringing in the social and cultural approaches. This requires a true interaction of natural and social sciences, and of science, policy and practice. Therefore the congress was an opportunity to reflect on the state of the art of landscape ecology today. Furthermore, the challenge of the congress was what the future directions are of landscape ecology as a social relevant approach for science, policy and practice.