International Conference – Transition to a New Society

International Conference

TRANSITION TO A NEW SOCIETY

Supported By

Under patronage of Mr. Milo Đukanović, Prime minister of Montenegro

20-22 March 2014, Podgorica, Montenegro

Podgorica Declaration (Adopted on 21st March by the Participants in the conference)

Background

Human society is currently undergoing changes of a nature unprecedented in both magnitude and intensity. The outcome of this development will be a different type of civilization based mainly on knowledge, information, communication and most importantly, mobility. One of the main difficulties in this transition is the emerging gap between the accelerating pace of technological change and the slower pace of cultural evolution. The changes in technology, in turn, are closely connected to broader issues, including political and economic change, energy concerns, natural resources, food supply, health, individual quality of life, and many more.

This conference focused on three major topics: A. Political and Economic Change; B. Environment, Energy and Sustainability, and C. Humans and Machines.

A. Political and economic change

One world – many regions;
Nation-state vs. region-state;
Globalism vs. anti-globalism, Global vs. local regulation;
Capitalism and its association to a global free market and private economic sector, measure of progress;
Democratization of international institutions with reference to individuals and supranational institutions;
Social justice and private property;
International institutions and participation;
Ethnic localism and religion, fear of loss of identity;
Social networks as limitations to official politics;
Emphasis on cooperation over competition.

B. Environment, energy and sustainability

Biodiversity, deforestation, loss of arable land;
Land use, pollution, water scarcity, and waste management;
Climate change, and energy problems;
Agriculture, biotechnology and genetically modified organisms (GMOs);
Natural resources, market economy and sustainability;
Urbanization and human habitats;
Population issues: growth, distribution, quality of life;
Food supply.

C. Humans and machines

Social implications of emerging technologies: substitution of humans with technical devices, humans and information technology, humans and artificial intelligence, the development and potential of new devices such as smartphones and 3D printers as well as inexpensive clever technology;
Technology-enabled social control;
Limits to human-machine interaction: robots and human emotion, human intelligence and artificial intelligence, possibilities and limits;
Adaptability to technological changes (The Reactive Response, The Adaptive Response);
Technology and ethics;
Technology and democracy.

AGENDA

19 March
	Arrival of participants Accommodation : Hotel City, Crnogorskih serdara 5, Hotel Ramada, Blv. Save Kovačevića 74, Podgorica.
20 March
8:40	Bus to Conference venue (Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts, Rista Stijovića 5,Podgorica)
9:00 – 10:00	OPENING of the Conference *Addresses:* Momir Đurović, President, Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts (CANU) Felix Unger, President, European Academy of Sciences and Arts (EASA) Heitor Gurgulino de Souza, President, World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS) Ed Noort, Vice President, European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities (ALLEA-All European Academies) Jiří Beneš, International Union of Academies, Union Académique Internationale (IUA/UAI) Zhores Ivanovich Alferov, Nobel Prize laureate in physics, Vice president, Russian Academy of Sciences Dear Prof. Djurovic, To my regret, I have to inform you that due to health issues I will not be able to participate in the conference „Transition to a New Society” in Podgorica. I have an important eye surgery that is scheduled for the second half of March, and unfortunately, I cannot leave St Petersburg during that period. I wish you all the success in the organization of the Conference! Yours sincerely, Zhores Alferov
10:00 – 10:30	Montenegrin taste (degustation of organic products made by traditional recipes)
10:30 – 13:00	Session I: GENERAL TOPICS, 1st part In chair: Garry Jacobs, Perko Vukotić Pieter J.D. Drenth, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Honorary President of ALLEA Responsibilities of the Scientists in a World in Transition Ullica Segerstralle, fellow of WAAS; Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago Futuristic scenarios and human nature Rudolf Rizman, Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana The Paradox of Social Transition: Where Are Alternatives? Winston P. Nagan, trustee of WAAS; University of Florida, Levin College of Law The Global Rule of Law, Social Justice and the Commons Orio Giarini, trustee of WAAS, Editor in chief of CADMUS journal; Director of the Risk Institute (Trieste-Geneva) Facing uncertainty in the new economy Garry Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer of WAAS, Vice President, The Mother’s Service Society, Pondicherry, India New Paradigm in Education for Human Development Philippe Galiay, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission Human brains meta-network: capital’s ultimate avatar of the new society? Andreas Bummel, fellow of WAAS; Council member, World Federalist Movement-Institute for Global Policy; co-founder, International Campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly A World Parliament and the transition from international law to world law Hermes Andreas Kick, member of EASA; IEPG – Institute for Medical Ethics, Basic Principles and Methods of Psychotherapy and Sanitary Culture, Mannheim Crisis of European Identity – Crisis of Institutions: Can Interactive Institutions Help? Alex Skalenko, Institute of World Economy and International Relations of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, International Academy of Information Technology at UN Globally systemic crisis of the transinformational civilization *Discussion*
13:00	Bus to Hotels
13:15 – 14:45	Lunch at the Hotels
14:45	Bus to Conference Venue
15:00 – 18:45	Parallel Sessions II and III (Rectorate of University of Montenegro, Džordža Vašingtona bb)
THEATRE: A
15.00 – 16.45	Session II: POLITICAL and ECONOMICAL CHANGES In chair: Vlado Kambovski, Oksana Sliusarenko Erich Hoedl, Vice-president, European Academy of Sciences and Arts European transiton into a socio-ecological market economy Vlado Kambovski, President, Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts A new “social contract” on capitalism with a human face Anton Jamnik, Faculty of Theology, Ljubljana Business ethics as new challenge in modern economy Alexander Ruser, Hertie School of Governance GmbH, Berlin Knowledge-driven politics or political motivated knowledge distribution? The influence of environmental think tanks on national climate politics Miloš Trifković, Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina The impact of globalization on bilateral investment treaties and their models – the case of Bosnia and Herzegovina Božidar Jezernik, University of Ljubljana Slovene Catholic Church between Religion and Politics Hans Göttel, Europahaus Burgenland, Austria Managing Conflicts or Tuning Up to Higher Principles? *Discussion*
16:45 – 17:00	*Coffee Break*
17:00 – 18:45	POLITICAL and ECONOMICAL CHANGES (continuation) In chair: Erich Hoedl, Miloš Trifković Oksana Sliusarenko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Montenegro Innovative development as part of the structure transformation of the economy Yehuda Kahane, fellow of WAAS; Founder and COB YK Center for Reboot and Prosperity; Tel Aviv University, Israel Discussion of Some Elements of the “New Economy” Saša Popović, fellow of WAAS, Faculty of Economics, Podgorica Transition to a New Society – Resource Efficiency Perspective Naim Afgan, fellow of WAAS; Islamic Academy of Sciences; Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina Transition of culture system resilience index Milica Kostić, Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts, (CANU) Challenges to small countries in the future Anastas Angjeli, Academy of Science of Albania, Mediterranean University of Albania, member of the Albanian Parliament A New Economic Model which Maximizes the Economic Freedom *Discussion*
THEATRE: B
15:00 – 16:45	Session III: LIVING ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY and SUSTAINABILITY In chair: Naim Afgan, Maks Babuder Loucas G. Christophorou, Academy of Athens Energy, environment and modern civilization Lorenzo Gascon, fellow of WAAS, Royal Academy of Economical Science and Finances (RACEF), Spain Thinking aloud about the climate change Agni Vlavianos Arvanitis, fellow of WAAS; Biopolitics International Organization, Greece Biopolicy for a New Society of Hope – Guidelines and Paradigms for Change Zbigniew Bochniarz, trustee of WAAS; Evans School of Public Affairs, University of Washington, Seattle, USA Emergence of the Global Environmental Market: Dynamics, Drivers, Prospects for Growth and Impacts Giorgi Kvesitadze, President, Georgian National Academy of Sciences Plant as a main tool in creation of ecological balance Mirjana Radović-Marković, fellow of WAAS; Institute for Economic Studies, Belgrade, Genetically modified foods vs. organic foods: is there a conflict between health and profit? Grazyna Lesniak – Lebkowska, Warsaw School of Economics, Institute of Management Business motivations to expand the environmentally friendly market and practices Maks Babuder, Electroinstitute “Milan Vidmar”, Ljubljana Updated methodology in assessment of transmission line environmental impact *Discussion*
16:45 – 17:00	*Coffee Break*
17:00 – 18:45	LIVING ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY and SUSTAINABILITY (continuation) In chair: Agni Vlavianos Arvanitis, Zbigniew Bochniarz Peter F. McGrath, coordinator of IAP and IAMP Biodiversity and Pollination: Insecticide Bans, Politics and Reform Alberto Zucconi, trustee, Executive Board of WAAS, director of the World University Consortium, president of the Person Centered Institute (IACP), Rome Stop wasting the best natural resource of every nation: Their own people Jan W. Dobrowolski, fellow of WAAS; AGH University of Science and Technology, Wydz.GGiIS, AGH Open University Methodological experiences of 45 years activity for sustainable development and common action of experts and knowledge based society for promotion of innovative green economy Lucjan Pawlowski, Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Lublin University of Technology, Poland Can biofuels be sustainable source of energy Evanghelos Moutsopoulos, Academy of Athens Urbanization, the Case of Greece Volodymyr Iemelianov, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine An underwater marine eco-tourism as an integrator of science, education, recreation, and a factor for sustainable development of coastal areas of maritime states *Discussion*
18:45	*Bus to Hotels*
19:30	*Bus to Boat-restaurant*
20:00	GALA DINNER, given by Patron of the Conference, Prime minister of Montenegro, Mr. Milo Đukanović (Skadar lake cruising on boat-restaurant)
21 March
9:00 – 12:30	Parallel sessions: Continuation of Session III, Session IV/ Session V (Rectorate of University of Montenegro)
THEATRE: A
9:00 – 10:30	Session III: LIVING ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY and SUSTAINABILITY (continuation) In chair: Alberto Zucconi, Peter McGrath Antonio Sgamellotti, Accademia dei Lincei, IAP Ancient and contemporary artworks in the context of urbanization and human habitats Jan Šafanda, Vice-president, Academy of Sciences of Czech Republic Geothermal energy as a solution of the city air pollution – an example from Czechia Simon J. Simonian, member of EASA; Peace and Social Action Committee, Santa Monica Friends Society, California An example of transition to a new improved society in the city of Santa Barbara, California, USA using community cooperation Gerald Gutenschwager, School of Architecture, Washington University in St. Louis, Research fellow, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece Urban Planning Theory and the Role of Doxiadis’ Theory of Ekistics Vesna Baltezarević, member of EASA; Megatrend University, Faculty for Culture and Media, Belgrade Manipulation of reality into the food of the future Zita Izakovicova, Director, Institute of Landscape Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences Landscape-ecological approach to the biodiversity protection Julius Oszlanyi, member of EASA; Institute of Landscape Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences The consequences of long-term and recent changes of agriculture to the land use, grassland vegetation and selected invertebrates in the marginal mountain region of Slovakia *Discussion*
10:30 – 10:45	*Coffee Break*
10:45 – 12:30	Session IV: RELATED TOPICS In chair: Ivo Šlaus, Juri Engelbrecht Antonello Folco Biagini, Vice Rector, Sapienza University of Rome The Italian-Montenegrin Relationship: a historical perspective Grigore Belostecinic, Rector, Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova Competitive Universities for a Competitive Society Zoran Lakić, Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts (CANU) Ethnic Localism and Orthodoxy Giuseppe Caglioti, fellow of WAAS, Professor Emeritus – Structure of matter, Energy Department, Polytechnics of Milan Transformations of physical systems and transitions of human society Kosta Barjaba, Academy of Sciences of Albania, European University of Tirana Migration and social changes: case of Albanian Diasporas of Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Faris Gavrankapetanović, fellow of WAAS; Institute for health insurance Canton Sarajevo Aging population – health insurance or challenge of aging for social security Jakob von Uexkull, MA Oxon, Founder, The World Future Council (WFC) Political and Economic Change – A New Human Story *Discussion*
THEATRE : B
9:00 – 10:30	Session V: HUMANS and MACHINES In chair: Gilbert Fayl, Ullica Segestrale Marco Aurelio de Castro Junior, fellow of WAAS; Federal University of Brazil, Bahia, Salvador Law and post humanity – when robots will become subjects of legal rights Fiorella Battaglia, Department of Philosophy, Philosophy of Science and the Study of Religion, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich How do novel technical options challenge the concept of moral responsibility? Ljupčo Kocarev, Vice-president, Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts The Internet and the Web: how they have changed our life Tatiana Tchouvileva, fellow of WAAS; Faculty of Design, Polytechnics of Milan Adaptation of Aesthetic Taste to Technological Changes Dragoljub Mirjanić, Secretary general, Academy of Sciences and Arts of the Republic of Srpska The influence of clean technologies on new society Carl Edwin Lindgren, fellow of WAAS; Royal Society of Arts; President, American College of Interdisciplinary Sciences, Mississippi, Como, USA Brain enhancement in the 21st century, Potential Neurophysiological Changes in Brain Structure through Neuroenhancers, Nootropic Agents and Organic/Electronic Components *Discussion*
10:30 – 10:45	*Coffee Break*
10:45 – 12:30	HUMANS and MACHINES (continuation) In chair: Dragoljub Mirjanić, Ljupčo Kocarev Gudar Beqiraj, Academy of Sciences of Albania; Neki Frasheri, Polytechnic University of Tirana Contradictory sides of information technology for development Igor Đurović, Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts (CANU) Will technological society be inhuman? Valeriy Zaporozhan, Vice-President, National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Chairman, Committee on Bioethics of the NAMS, Rector, Odessa National Medical University Nooethics as modern stage of global bioethics Perko Vukotić, Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts Some issues and concerns about impact of advanced technologies on human beings and society *Discussion*
12:30	*Bus to Hotels*
12:45 – 14:15	*Lunch*
14:15	*Bus to Conference Venue* (Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts)
14:30 – 16:00	Session VI: GENERAL TOPICS, 2nd part In chair: Garry Jacobs, Ed Noort Ed Noort, Vice-president, ALLEA Role of academies in Europe and ALLEA´s position and activities Gilbert Fayl, President, The Global Round Table A New Renaissance for Europe? Rajko Kuzmanović, President, Academy of Sciences and Arts of the Republic of Srpska Controversies on the road of transition to a new society Ljubiša Rakić, Vice-president, Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts Cooperation as prerequisite for science development Ruben Nelson, fellow of WAAS, Executive Director, Foresight Canada An Exploration of the Root Paradigm of the Modern/Industrial Form of Civilization *Discussion*
16:00 – 16:15	*Coffee Break*
16:15 – 19:00	GENERAL TOPICS, 2nd part (continuation) Juri Engelbrecht, fellow of WAAS; Estonian Academy of Sciences Networks, mobility and young researchers Dušan Gálik, Scientific Secretary, Slovak Academy of Sciences Lassitude from Democracy João Caraça, fellow of WAAS; Director, Fondation Calouste Gulbenkian – Délégation en France, Paris Is globalisation being trapped? Maureen O’Hara, fellow of WAAS; National University, La Jolla, California, USA A “indigenous psychology” a global century Kada Allab, President, Algerian Academy of Science and Technology The Impacts of the Algerian Academy of Sciences and Technology on the Society *Discussion*
	Closing remarks: Ivo Šlaus, Honorary President of WAAS Momir Đurović, President of Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts
19:00	*Bus to Hotels*
	*Free evening*
22 March: Social day (Short sightseeing tour of Montenegro)
8:30	*Bus Departure*
17:00	*Return to Hotels*
	The offer is on the “first come first serve” basis. There are 48 seats on the bus. (Tour description: Cetinje, old capital (visit to cultural-historical places), Lovćen serpentines, Kotor (on UNESCO list of world cultural heritage protection), Budva, Skadar lake, Podgorica.
OPTIONAL – 22 March
8:15	*Bus to Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts*
8:30 – 13:30	Special Session of World University Consortium (WUC) in chair: Heitor Gurgulino de Souza, Garry Jacobs
8:30 – 10:00	Session I: Need for a New Paradigm in Education Purpose of education & its role in social evolution Global Higher Education today – a status overview Challenges – Accessibility, Affordability, Quality, Employability
10:15 – 11:45	Session II: Emerging Trends & Opportunities Revolution in Online Higher Education Pioneering Initiatives Shift from Teaching to Learning Interactivity Multi-language Person-centered education Independent Thinking, Creativity, Leadership, Individuality Life-long learning
12:00 – 13:30	Session III: Envisioning the Future Design concepts for a world-class global delivery system Role for WAAS and WUC
13:30	Bus to hotels Departure of participants
23 March – Departure of participants

Report on the Second MASA Conference in Podgorica

Momir Djurovic

Human society is currently undergoing changes of a nature unprecedent in magnitude and intensity. The outcome of this development will be a different type of civilization based mainly on knowledge, information, communication and most importantly, social mobility. One of the main difficulties in this transition is the growing gap between the accelerating pace of technological change and the slower pace of cultural, social and spiritual evolution. The changes in technologies, in turn, are linked to broader issues, including political and economic change, energy, natural resources, food supply, health, individual quality of life, and many others.

The conference Transition to a New Society was conducted from 20-22 March 2014 in Podgorica, Montenegro, hosted and organized by Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts in collaboration with the World Academy, the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (EASA), and the All European Academies (ALLEA). About 100 participants were drawn from more than 30 countries and the conference included 24 Fellows of WAAS.

The conference focused on three major topics: Political and Economic Change, Environment, Energy and Sustainability and Humans and Machines. The opening session was addressed by the Prime Minister of Montenegro and the Presidents of WAAS, EASA, MASA, ALLEA, UIA (International Union of Academies).

Presentations and discussion centered on questions related to the challenges posed by the emerging global context, the nature of the new paradigm that is needed, and strategies for bringing it. Papers examined issues related to the social and moral responsibility of scientists for building a new world, possible scenarios for transition, the role of education and human development, uncertainty and transition, socio-ecological business, ethics and new economy, identity and world law, religion and politics, climate change, the global environmental market, health, food, problems of urbanization and human habitats, energy, land use, robotics, technology, networking, mobility and the role of young scientists. Proceedings of the conference are being prepared for publication.

On March 22 a special session was organized to introduce the World University Consortium and discuss the role it can play in the development of new design concepts for a world-class system of higher education accessible to all human beings.

Momir Djurovic
President, Montenegrin Academy of Sciences & Arts;
Trustee, World Academy of Art & Science

Podgorica Declaration (Adopted by Participants on 21st March)

Background Papers: