How new transformative technologies, evolving perceptions of identity and fresh approaches to democracy affect our lives are the key themes of a conference to be held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, on 12-13 September 2017. Academics, professionals and youth will investigate sustainable solutions for our interconnected world at the State of the Community Conference: Every Decision Counts.

Building on the themes and outcomes of the highly successful World Humanities Conference, held in Liège, Belgium last month, the State of the Community Conference will examine some of the critical challenges facing our society. These include the role of robots, artificial intelligence, the internet and biotechnologies; responses to extremism, discrimination and inequality; and how to reconcile globalization and traditional structures by engaging the public in informed discussion to drive political and social change.

The conference keynote speaker is Professor James Fishkin (Janet M. Peck Professor in International Communication and Director of the Center for Deliberative Democracy, Stanford University).

Other interdisciplinary thought leaders participating include Yves Sintomer (Professor of Political Science, Université Paris 8); Countess Setsuko Klossowska de Rola (UNESCO Artist for Peace); Lionel Veer (Ambassador of the Netherlands to UNESCO); Marie-Hélène Parizeau (Professor of Philosophy, Université Laval, Québec); Georges Kepenekian (Mayor of Lyon and Vice-President of the Metropole of Lyon); and Andrés Roemer, (UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Societal Change and the Free Flow of Information). 

The winner of the Dhillon Marty Competition: 2017 Phrase of the Year will also be announced during the conference. “Every Decision Counts”, the title of the conference, was the winner of last year’s competition. 

The State of the Community Conference: Every Decision Counts is jointly convened with UNESCO under the aegis of the Management of Social Transformations (MOST) programme.

****

Journalists wishing to attend the State of the Community Conference: Every Decision Counts are requested to contact: Djibril Kebe, UNESCO Media Services, d.kebe@unesco.org(link sends e-mail), +33(0)145681741

For more information on the conference, please contact:

• Beatrice Gabor, Communications Coordinator, Dhillon Marty Foundation, communication@dhillonmarty.org(link sends e-mail), +33 788 783 900,
• John Crowley, UNESCO MOST programme, J.Crowley@unesco.org