Issue 4: October 2000

 

UNU marks 25th anniversary with
international conference on global values, ethics

Controversial issues such as gene research and the profound impact modern science and technology are having on the evolution of values and ethics worldwide will form a major focus of a three-day conference of hosted by UNU and its Institute of Advanced Studies, Oct. 24-26 at UNU Center, Tokyo.

The International Conference on Global Ethos will convene renowned international academics, practitioners and thinkers for a global conversation on dramatic shifts underway in such areas as science, politics, international justice, religion, and women’s rights and how these forces are transforming society everywhere.

The rapid and enormous changes in progress have the potential to produce a new world system that is stable, equitable and just. Managed poorly, however, they may instead add strain to an already stressed natural environment, widen the global gap between rich and poor, and further concentrate access to knowledge and influence over international decision making.

The conference will help celebrate UNU’s landmark 25th anniversary and form part of world observances of UN Day 2000 (Oct. 24).

UN Secretary-General
Kofi Annan (top) and
 former U.S. President
Carter will address
the conference.

The conference themes will be:

  1. Global Capitalism and Sustainable Development

  2. Science, Knowledge and Ethics

  3. International Society, Justice and Equity

  4. Religion, Gender and Culture will be

Specific topics for 10 panels taking place over three days include: National Reconciliation and the Internationalization of Justice; Science and Ethics -- Gene Research; and Gender and Women’s Rights

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter will address the conference by videotape.  Keynote speakers include:

  • Hans Küng, Director Emeritus, Institute for Ecumenical Research, University of Tübingen (Germany);

  • Thomas Axworthy, Interaction Council, John F. Kennedy School of Government (USA);

  • Yersu Kim, Former Director, Universal Values Project, UNESCO Division of Philosophy and Ethics; Vigdis Finnbogadottir, former President, Republic of Iceland, and Chair, Council of Women World Leaders, Harvard; and

  • Abdul Salam Majali, former Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Jordan, and Chairman, World Affairs Council.

The conference is supported by the UN Development Programme, Tokyo Forum, Kikkoman Corporation, and Omron Corporation.

More information is online at the conference web site where proceedings will also be broadcast live.  Or contact the UNU Public Affairs Section, tel. (03) 5467 1243, -1246, fax (03) 3406 7346.

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