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Issue Ii, 2010 Forum ISSUE II, 2010 WWW.FORUM2000.CZ REFLECTIONS ON THE 14TH FORUM “The World We Want to Live In”: the enticing theme of the latest Forum. Debates focused on the state of the world around us, on what incites us to infl ict brutal interventions in our landscape and devastate our settlements, despite our fondness for nature and pictur- esque towns. Debates about two mutually linked opposites, the poles of reason and emotion, about two sources of self-confi dent decisions and eternal misgivings. The discussion about the state of the world was a debate about ourselves and about two beings within ourselves, their relationship with society, and the present motives of their think- ing and actions. How both have the same need to smell a rose, caress a child, sit in a park and stroll through a beautiful city. But each of them does so differently. For the one closer to material values, it is relaxation on its daily FORUM 2000 FROM A DELEGATE’S PERSPECTIVE journeys in pursuit of prosperity. For the other, harmony and beauty are the source of its vital- ity. For each of those beings, time and space The annual Prague meetings of Forum 2000 ones. Forum’s messages may be sometimes have a different status. Those who can afford are events unlike any other. They are con- confusingly disparate and variegated, but they it live in time. Those who can’t live in space. vened in order to shape up and share mes- are unanimous in one crucial conviction: we The former beings in us lose their connection sages – stubborn, consistent, courageous indeed can do whatever needs to be done – with place: they would live in airports or luxury and hopeful against all however adverse and knowing that, we need to work, and aeroplanes and are unconcerned about the odds – just like the man whose brain children hard, towards knowing what it is that yearns state of their surroundings. The latter stub- they are, Václav Havel. The purpose of these to be done and how to go about doing it. All bornly endeavor to make us concerned. At meetings is to keep alive the faith in Good messages insist that the one truly immortal present, the one based chiefl y on reason is Society, and the trust that Good Society is quality of humans, fortifi ed and immune to all gaining the upper hand. It marginalizes public not an idle dream but a tangible possibility, and any adversities of fate, is hope; it is hope issues in the belief that immediate profi t is and that turning that possibility into reality that enlightens the darkest of times. And they more signifi cant. It is capable of transforming is something which humans of good will and keep reminding us that all great things have a lush park into a giant intersection, and this dedication, and only they, can accomplish. been, are and will be born of small, yet daring was what the latest Forum sought to draw at- ideas, if accompanied by resolution and per- tention to and refl ect on. We all – people who put their heads together severance. If in doubt, recall the life itinerary at the Forum debates and the rest of us, who of the Forum’s founder and guiding spirit: that And also to seek paths to follow. Because seek enlightenment and encouragement in life was a clinching proof, if one needs it, of there is not just one path. The Italian writer their messages – inhabit a world of an interreg- the truth of both of Forum’s messages. Calvino wrote about the existence of two num: a transitory state, one that separates the ways: “The fi rst is easy for many: accept the world guided by old rules which hold no longer The theme of the latest Forum, “The World We inferno and become such a part of it that you from the world subject to new ones that still Want to Live In”, offered another occasion to can no longer see it. The second is risky and struggle to be born. Such a state is remarkable restate those messages, which year in year out demands constant vigilance and apprehen- for its uncertainty, emanating from ignorance are confronted with changing circumstances sion: seek and learn to recognize who and of what the future may bring, fear of impotence and so require regular updating and sharpen- what, in the midst of inferno, are not inferno, in pre-empting its verdicts, and the humiliation ing. They need regular sharpening, after all, then make them endure, give them space.” that results from them both. It is also remark- being as they are knives whose edges are I expect you can guess that, while openly able for the thirst and urgent need of the winds pressed fast against the future. Our common respecting that both beings are a natural of change which are able to disperse the fog future; a future we all would want to live in… part of us, the latest Forum 2000 sought to wrapping the things yet to come, and for the offer greater scope to those oriented towards rays of light able to pierce through the incapaci- Zygmunt Bauman harmony and beauty and who are truly inter- tating darkness that envelops their shapes. Sociologist, Poland/ ested in the state of the world in which we United Kingdom will live. The successive Forum brain-trust gather- ings are attempts to fi ght back against all Miroslav Masák three curses of living in the interregnum: Member of the Forum 2000 the sentiments of ignorance, impotence, Conference Organizing and humiliation, those sleeping draughts for Committee thinking humans and sedatives for the acting FORUM 2000 BULLETIN, ISSUE II, 2010 fi elds such as political and social science, religion, environment, urbanism and architecture. Participants included sociologist Gilles Kepel, Cuban dissident José Luis García Paneque, author George Monbiot, architect Juhani Pallasmaa, philosopher Roger Scruton and the Secretary General of Amnesty International Salil Shetty. Business and Economy Panels The latest conference included the largest number of business and economy panels so far, highlighting the growing importance of corporate social responsibility and the need and desire of com- panies to play a more active role in civil society. The themes of the panels were varied, but shared a common thread: the impact of global business and the economy on our world. Two panels were dedicated to the environment; one debated the sup- port and barriers which companies face on the road to “going green”, FORUM 2000 FROM A JOURNALIST’S PERSPECTIVE and the other discussed the opportunity for energy security and economic prosperity resulting from the creation of green jobs. Other The Forum 2000 Conferences usually represent a true feast for economic panels focused on the impact of business on our global journalists. In the lobbies of the venues, they have the opportunity community. Panelists exchanged views on the values and limitations to informally chat or even to properly interview those people who of economic growth, on where the responsibility for healthcare lies, they would otherwise hardly be able to track down, not to mention on what is needed to create a strong global business model, and convince them to give them some of their precious time. on the role of promoting business ethics worldwide. All the panels encouraged dialogue, challenging the way we view business and its In this sense, the latest conference can be considered to be impact on civil society, government and the global economy. a truly gourmet morsel – thanks especially to the “rock star” of the journalist world, Fareed Zakaria, but also to sociologist Zyg- munt Bauman and the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi. All participants gave very inspirational speeches on the issues that move today’s world – not just about religion, energy security or nuclear arms, but also social exclusion, healthcare, green busi- ness and the future of our cities. Silvie Lauder Journalist, Respekt, Czech Republic FORUM 2000 CONFERENCE EVENTS The 14th Forum 2000 Conference “The World We Want to Live In” was held under the auspices of Václav Havel on October 10–12, 2010 at Žofín Palace and numerous other venues around Prague. Interfaith Dialogue It was the biggest and thematically most varied gathering in Forum 2000 history, hosting a record number of delegates and observers. The Interfaith Dialogue program of the conference was particu- The conference provided the opportunity to share ideas to almost larly extensive in 2010. Five panel discussions and one lecture 100 distinguished world personalities who addressed diverse dealt with different aspects of religion in globalized society, focus- ing especially on the place and role of religion in the world we live in. Panelists included leading world sociologists of religion, representatives of various religions and other experts. In any event, I am certain that our civilization is heading for catastrophe unless present-day The fi rst discussion focused on the question of why territorial humankind comes to its senses. And it can confl icts with a religious dimension are so frequently regarded only come to its senses if it grapples with its as primarily religious in nature. Other panel discussions were devoted to the characteristics of secularization in different re- short-sightedness, its stupid conviction of gions and religions of the world, and to the issue of growing its omniscience and its swollen pride, which religious intolerance accompanying globalization processes. have been so deeply anchored in its thinking Two other panels were dedicated to the infl uence of religion and actions. in politics. Religion as an element of democratic change was discussed, and the theme of the panel organized in cooperation Václav Havel at the opening with the Embassy of France was the place of religion in foreign of the 2010 Forum 2000 Conference policy.
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