ISHV - Conference on Youth and Human Values

Two years ago, in 2000, the International Society for Human Values took a decision to involve youth in future discussions on Human Values. It is recognised that today's youth are our pride and future. It is essential that young people have the opportunity to express their views and be part of the process of devising solutions to our current predicaments. A dialogue between the generations is not only meaningful but essential to ensure that the future of human civilisation will be progressive without disregarding the accumulated wisdom of the past.

The 19-year-old Dennis Kirchhoff, student of Gesamtschule Gartenstadt, Dortmund, Germany wrote, "The new science (and technology) have brought us forward quite a bit. Will they bring us forward even more, if yes, how far and in what direction is still uncertain and is left to be considered further. One thing is for sure, and that is that we would make a big mistake if we would accept everything research puts in front of us without even thinking about it" (quoted from Pop-up European Youth Magazine).

This scepticism which is shared by a vast majority of the population is due partly to the fact that 'science is functioning as a club, with its own rites and jargon' (Egbert Schroten, University of Utrecht) and, 'scientists have not sufficiently learned to understand and respect public expectations and responses' (Wolf-Michael Catenhusen, Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, Germany). This is even truer in the case of youth, as reflected in the comments of Dennis Kirshhoff.

It is not enough to merely familiarise youth with new science and technology. But, ethical and moral implications of new science and its applications should be discussed with them openly and publicly. Scientists and Technologists at the cutting edge of human progress - as well as political and economic decision-makers who have to endorse the choices of new applications - need new forums for pursuing a dialogue with civil society, in general, and youth in particular. It must be admitted that very little effort in this direction has so far been made.

The conference on YOUTH AND HUMAN VALUES, organised in close co-operation with a number of youth organisations worldwide, is an innovative approach to create among the youth an interest in not only new knowledge but also on some of the great challenges of our time. Young participants will be encouraged to articulate their perceptions and express freely the means they would employ to meet some of the challenges. These exchanges will give a better insight into the attitudes of young people and facilitate fruitful intergenerational dialogue.

- YOUTH AND CHANGING TIMES
- YOUTH AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
- YOUTH AND VIOLENCE
- YOUTH AND HUMAN VALUES

Afternoon workshops/roundtable discussions will deal with practical issues under each theme, including

- New Science - who are the beneficiaries?
- Clowns and Clones
- IT - widening or bridging the gap?
- Impact of Demographic changes
- Poverty and Global Health (Drug abuse, HIV/AIDS)
- Media and the spread of violence among youth
- Violence and vulnerable groups
- Rights and Empowerment
- Education for peace building

PARTICIPANTS
Youth and Youth leaders in the age group 18-30 years
Social scientists, educators, life science specialists and civil society representatives

LANGUAGES
Simultaneous interpretation in English/French/Spanish will be available. However, good working knowledge of English is recommended.

In preparation for the conference in Geneva, two regional meetings will be organised in Africa and Asia. These regional meetings will bring forth concerns and perceptions of different cultures on emerging global issues that affect humankind where ever they are. The inputs from the African and Asian Regional conferences will, it is hoped, render the discussions in Geneva realistic and useful.

Will bring together youth, youth leaders, educators and Civil Society Representatives from Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo and Uganda and engage them in an intergenerational dialogue to explore the way African youth can move forward to a promising future.

This is the first major event organised by the African Chapter of the International Society for Human Values. The conclusions of the African Regional conference will be valuable contribution to the deliberations in Geneva in October, 2002.

FOR FURTHER PARTICULARS/PARTICIPATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Professor Kwame GYEKYE
President
International Society for Human Values - African Chapter
Department of Philosophy, University of Ghana
P.O. Box Lg211
Legon, Ghana
Tel: + (233-21) 769953
E-mail: kgyekye@ghana.com

INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR HUMAN VALUES

KOREAN NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR UNESCO

Jointly organise the Asian Regional conference on

YOUTH AND VALUES IN ASIA

at the Korea UNESCO Culture Center, Icheon, Korea

19 - 22 AUGUST 2002

Will bring together youth, youth leaders, professionals and civil society representatives from various countries in Asia in order to

-	provide young people with a forum in which to express their views on the rapid changes that are taking place around them due to technological progress, new scientific achievements and consequent social, economic and ethical implications and results
-	involve young people in recognising new challenges and to explore ways and means through which to meet such challenges
-	engage in an intergenerational dialogue to identify basic Human Values in the effort to promote Human Rights, Democracy, Non-discrimination and Peace
-	identify Asian Values that have an impact on the region