Connecting Theory and Practice
The overall goal of the Commission on Holistic Science & Education is to develop and establish a trans-disciplinary scientific framework based on a reverence for life and conducive to long-term orientation and to engage with decision-makers on putting it into practice. The work cuts across scientific disciplines and aims to expose what we perceive to be now outdated assumptions and their enshrinement in social, political and technological practice. With every criticism we will present new research and knowledge that can inform a scientific framework and worldview fit for the transformation towards future just societies.
Concrete strategic objectives as agreed at the Annual General Meeting of the Council in 2009:
- Challenge the idea of ‘objective’ and ‘value-free’ sciences and advance a fuller and more accurate understanding of science that affirms life and is compatible with a holistic perspective on single issues
- Develop and promote a new trans-disciplinary scientific framework in support of holistic future science and develop policy recommendations for improved education content and structures.
- Cultivate an active online community and a network of Academic Ambassadors providing dialogue on holistic science and on the implications of the way we think, research and apply science on our common good.
Members of the Commission are Hans-Peter Dürr, Jakob von Uexkuell, Vithal Rajan, Hafsat Abiola, David Krieger, Arthur Zanjonc (BoA), Lois Barber (BoA), David Lorimer (BoA), Anita Herrdum (BoA) and Dietmar Herrdum (BoA).
Funds have been secured to conduct research and develop concrete proposals for Compassionate Economics in the context of the Rio+20 Earth Summit on sustainability and for Holisic Science, Technology and Spirituality.
With support of the Fetzer Foundation in the US, Councillor Stephen Marglin and Advisor Arthur Zajonc supervise research on the root causes of current crises in economic theory and natural sciences, comparing them with alternative approaches. This research is discussed in two meetings in 2010 and 2011 with selected experts, resulting in reports to the WFC and recommendations for its programmatic work.
Workshop Training for Trusteeship by WICPER
The Weeramantry International Centre for Peace Education and Research (WICPER) held a residential workshop on social harmony, integration and the role of future leaders from November 19th-22nd, 2009. The goal of the workshop was to train future leaders in teh concept that they have duties to the community, to the environment and to future generations.
During this workshop, which is the second of the series "Training for Trusteeship", the students were encouraged to develop and participate in projects about rehabilitation and reintegration, community education, reconciliation and rural self management.
Please watch the video below, to learn more about the workshop in Piliyandala, Sri Lanka, and the WICPER.
WFC Councillor Judge C.G. Weeramantry, former Vice-President at the International Court of Justice and author of the book "Tread Lightly on the Earth". In his book he argues that the common core of teachings of all religions regarding our duties to the environment and to future generations is a reservoir of enriching wisdom which international law has neglected at great cost to itself and to humanity bringt in diesem Buch Religion und Völkerrecht zusammen.
This study, prepared for the World Future Council, can revolutionise international law and international relations. It distils the wisdom of Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. Order the book here.
