Nachrichten

Second International Conference and Bi-Annual Meeting of the International Association for Technology Assessment and Forecasting Institutions (IATAFI)

Brussels, Belgium, 8 - 10 October 1996

Programme and Preliminary Themes of the IATAFI '96 Conference

Sustainable development is today high on several agendas, including those of scientists and engineers. Since the Rio Conference in 1992 and the adoption of the Agenda 21 action programme, the awareness has been rising that global sustainable solutions to todays many problems that challenge the future of the Earth and its population, will only be possible when based on specific science and technology policies.

Indeed, one of the main issues in Agenda 21 is the role of technologies and technology policies. It has been stressed that making the right choices in technology will be crucial and that environmentally sound technologies have to be developed. This urges to inquire on how Technology Assessment can be used in linking technology policies with the societal needs as expressed in Agenda 21.

Also, a critical mass of scientists and engineers is needed - especially in developing countries - for contributing to the fabrication of environmentally sound technologies. Science is today undoubtedly the basis for agricultural and industrial development, as well as for meeting the world's increasing energy demand, all this in a social, economical and political context. This will imply science foresight approaches for establishing priorities in research that are likely to yield 'sustainable' benefits and for translating those priorities into research initiatives.

The IATAFI '96 Conference will focus on both the past and future of the role of technology assessment and science forecasting as tools for implementing sustainable development policies. The main objectives of the conference are:

1. to make the link between science and technology policies and sustainable development;

2. to clarify the concepts and methods of the tools of technology assessment and science forecasting as applied to the issue of sustainable development;

3. to illustrate the main challenges in technological developments in areas such as: nuclear developments, space developments, energy/environmental technologies and basic need technologies (biodiversity, collective vs. individual needs);

4. to discuss the cultural, democratic challenges and the ethical aspects related to technological developments.

Contributions and invited speakers will cover the above programm. At the time being, the following structure for the conference is put forward:

I. The role of forecasting in achieving sustainable development:

- the nature and organisation of research and technology forecasting and the challenge of sustainable development;

- case studies;

- instruments for forecasting applied to sustainable development issues.

II. The role of TA in achieving sustainable development:

- the nature and organisation of technology assessment and the challenge of sustainable development;

- case studies;

- instruments for TA applied to sustainable development issues.

III. Institutional actors and the challenge of using TA and forecasting in building sustainable development capacities :

- the role of the international governmental and non-governmental organisations;

- the role of industry;

- the role of local and national public authorities.

The Conference Organizing Committee:

President: Prof. Dr. Luk Van Langenhove, Deputy Secretary General, Belgian Science Policy Office.
Local Organizing Committee: Prof. Jacques Berleur, N.D. de la Paix, Namur; Prof. Dr. Eggermont, Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Dr. Walter Hecq, Universite Libre de Bruxelles; Dr. Dirk Holemans, Universiteit Gent; Prof. Dr. Marc Mormont, Fondation Universitaire Luxembourgeoise; Mr. Jean Moulin, Belgian Science Policy Office; Ms. Catherine Orfinger, Belgian Science Policy Office; Dr. Gerard Valenduc, Fondation Travail - Universit_e Namur; Dr. F. Picheault, Universit_e de Li_ege.

Official language:

The official language of the Conference is English. Simultaneous translation will not be provided.

IATAFI '96 Submission Information:

Those proposing to submit a paper or poster for the IATAFI '96 Conference are requested to complete the "Registration Form" available from the Secretariat. By 15 May 1996 an abstract in English of your paper, 200 - 400 words, on diskette and paper should be submitted also to the Secretariat in Bergen. The papers presented will be published as IATAFI Conference Proceedings Vol. II. Inclusion in the final programme is contingent upon payment of registration fee, date 30 June 1996.

Correspondence

All correspondence concerning scientific activities and programme information should be sent to the Conference Secretariat.

(Source: First Announcement)

For details of payment and registration, please contact

IATAFI '96 Secretariat
c/o Statoil
5020 Bergen, Norway
Tel.: + 47 5599 2474
Fax: + 47 5599 2051
E-mail: iatafiIyt8∂iatafi no