The world is undergoing an unprecedented period of uncertainty, instability, insecurity, and violence. Humanity is retreating from the core values and institutional commitments that flourished after the end of the Cold War. Waves of turbulence are undermining efforts to address the most pressing challenges and goals facing humanity today. Addressing each of the challenges individually is not enough. We must understand the big picture and address the underlying the root causes and deep drivers of the turbulence that impact all of them and all of us.
WAAS@65 is an initiative to examine the root causes of global turbulence in the 21st century and identify strategic solutions to restore peace, stability, human security and sustainable progress, organised by the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS).
WAAS@65 will feature members of The Club of Rome during the following sessions:
Plenary Session 5: ‘Global Peace Offensive’
22 July, 13:30-14:50 CEST
Speakers include Carlos Álvarez Pereira, Secretary-General of The Club of Rome, Ugo Bardi, National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science & Technology, University of Florence, Italy; member of The Club of Rome and Goran Bandov, Professor, University of Zagreb; President, Croatian Association of the Club of Rome
– The Global Peace Offensive is a proactive, dialogue driven peacebuilding strategy. It’s based on a radical innovation and the awareness of the present greatest threats for humanity. The Global Peace Offensive strategy, adopted by WAAS, EASA and The Club of Rome, offers practical solutions in crisis contexts that discussants will comment on.
Parallel Session 7A: ‘Mobilising Science & Technology as a Force For Good’
22 July, 16:00–16:50 CEST
Speakers include Nebojša Neskovic, Vice President (Science & Technology), WAAS; member of The Club of Rome; President, Serbian Chapter of The Club of Rome, Marianna Bozesan, Founder & Managing Partner of AQAL Group; member of The Club of Rome
– Science and technology are powerful drivers for social progress. At the same time the speed with which they are advancing and the power that they generate are growing sources of the uncertainty, insecurity and instability global society is now undergoing. This session will focus on ways to harness the progressive power of science and technology to enhance peace and security while managing and enhancing the capacities of society to adapt and adjust to the revolutionary changes they bring with them.
Parallel Session 7B: ‘Management of Global Social Transformation’
22 July, 16:00–16:50 CEST
Speakers include Garry Jacobs, President & CEO, World Academy of Art & Science; member of The Club of Rome and Petra Kuenkel, member of the Executive Committee of The Club of Rome
– The turbulence generated by the speed and complexity of global social evolution is too great to be managed through existing ideas, policies, national and multilateral institutions, and distributions of social power. This session organised by UNESCO MOST Bridges explores the need for development of a comprehensive transdisciplinary approach to the global process and for formulation of effective institutions and strategies to promote an integrated approach to conscious social evolution.
Parallel Session 9B ‘Solutions to Reduce Ecologically Rooted Uncertainty and Insecurity’
22 July, 18:00–18:50 CEST
Speakers include Anitra Thorhaug, President, Greater Caribbean Energy and Environment Foundation, USA; member of The Club of Rome and Anders Wijkman, Honorary President of The Club of Rome, Board Member, Swedish Development Authority
contributors to the growing sense of insecurity fuelling global turbulence today. This session will examine the most promising strategies for addressing these root causes of the uncertainty and insecurity.
Parallel Session 11A: ‘Navigating Contradictions between Progressive Social Evolution and Resistance to Change’
23 July, 15:00–15:50 CEST
Parallel Session 15B ‘Changing the way we think’
24 July, 14:00-14:50 CEST
Moderating the session is Carlos Álvarez Pereira, Secretary-General of The Club of Rome
– The sources of global turbulence all point to fundamental flaws in the ideas, theories, institutional functioning and policies directing society today. This session will examine and challenge underlying fallacies and propose changes in thinking required to address the root causes of the challenges humanity confronts.
