Participants – GRT13 Budapest Event
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TTHHEE GGLLOOBBAALL RROOUUNNDD TTAABBLLEE 22001155 MMaaiinn EEvveenntt MMoorraalliittyy iinn PPoolliittiiccss 8 - 9 May 2015 Budapest 1 SPONSORS Technology Partners Foundation is a scientific research and implementation organisation specialised in research and development and innovation management and the performance of large-scale interdisciplinary national and international research projects. It is an Advanced Technology Centre, a status awarded by the Minister of Science in 2004. The Foundation’s mission is to initiate and support processes aimed at the rational use of knowledge for innovation activity and to undertake practical actions promoting the development Polish science and technology cooperation with Polish and international industry. * The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is the world’s leading body for professional accountants, with over 110 years of experience, innovation and excellence. They champion opportunity within accountancy, demonstrate excellence through their qualifications, and act as a driving force within the accounting profession to constantly improve working practices. The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants works in the public interest, assuring that its members are appropriately regulated and promotes principles-based regulation. ACCA actively seeks to enhance the value of accounting in society through international research. It takes progressive stances on global issues to ensure accountancy as a profession continues to grow in reputation and influence. * 2 2015 MAIN EVENT TABLE OF CONTENTS Page GRT Protector and High Patron 5 GRT International Board 7 The Organisers 8 The Partners 8 The Issue 9 Conventional Definitions 9 The Global Round Table 2015 Main Event 11 Programme - 8 May 2015 13 Programme - 9 May 2015 15 Draft Declaration 19 Event International Adviser 21 Key-Note Speakers 21 Moderators 22 Participants 24 The sculptures illustrated in this publication are exhibited at The Global Round Table 2015 Main Event. The illustrations are reproduced with the kind permission of the artist, Gregor Gáll. Photos by András Hász and Norbert Nagy. 3 Guardian of the Flame by Gregor Gáll 4 Protector and High Patron of The Global Round Table H.E. Boutros Boutros-Ghali UN Secretary General (1992 – 1996) President of the International Panel on Democracy and Development “... without development on the widest scale, we know that the young will be restless and resentful. ...” 5 Together for Each Other by Gregor Gáll 6 International Board of The Global Round Table HE Prof. Giuliano Amato Prime Minister of Italy (2000 – 2001) HE Katalin Bogyay President of the 36th General Conference of UNESCO HE Dr Erhard Busek Vice Chancellor of Austria (1991-1995) HE Prof. Emil Constantinescu President of Romania (1996 - 2000) Viscount Etienne Davignon Vice-President of the European Commission (1977-1984) Mr Mark Dubrulle President of The Club of Rome EU Chapter HE Prof. Mark Eyskens Prime Minister of Belgium (1981) Mr Hans Kaiser Minister of Fed. Rep. of Germany (2003-2004) HE Prof. János Martonyi Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary (2010-2014) Prof. Mohan Munasinghe Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 2007 Prof. Ivo Slaus President, World Academy of Art and Science (2010-2013) Bishop László Tökés Vice-President of the European Parliament (2000-2002) HE Prof. Vaira Vike-Freiberga President of Latvia (1999-2007) HE Niels Wilhjelm Minister of Industry of Denmark (1986-1989) * * * 7 ORGANISERS The Global Round Table (GRT) is an innovative, independent and non- party political initiative with the aim to improve the level and quality of information available to economic- and political decision-makers. The secondary aim is to provide inspiration to civil society leaders as well as the young generation. GRT has developed and uses a unique novel approach for best practice exchanges with socio-economic relevance across generation-, national- and cultural boundaries. It allows crucial issues of the time to be addressed from diverse perspectives in a constructive and complementary manner. The Pázmány Péter Catholic University (PPCU) is a private university of the Catholic Church in Hungary, recognized by the state. Founded in 1635, the University is one of Hungary's oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher education. PPCU is classified as a “university of national excellence”. It is independent of any political party and organization. * PARTNERS The World Academy of Art and Science - composed of individuals from diverse cultures, nationalities, and intellectual disciplines - seeks to address global issues related to the social consequences and policy implications of knowledge. The Club of Rome EU Chapter - an independent non-profit association, affiliated with the Club of Rome, aims to build bridges between the European Union institutions, their constituencies, their citizens and the Club of Rome as a leading think tank. Its mission is to act as a catalyst of reflection on sustainable development in Europe and at the global level. The European Movement Split - an international organisation open to all political, economic, social and cultural trends in civil society – with the objective to contribute to the establishment of a united, federal Europe founded on the principles of peace, democracy, liberty, solidarity, and respect for basic human rights. * 8 THE ISSUE Recent events on the European political scene, including the “Lux Leaks” disclosures may suggest that we are witnessing a process whereby European politics loses their moral compass. Economic advantages seem to override moral concerns in current political decision-making. The growing market pressure on moral arguments raises the question whether economics is free of values, or on the contrary, moral values should be embodied in economic analysis? What do these tendencies reveal about present European politics? What kind of relationship exists between morality and politics? Can morality play a successful part in regulating politics, or vice versa? Should we approach their interaction as irreconcilable and contradictory by its very nature, or rather regard them as mutual regulators? Participants of the meeting should try to shed light on these considerations by sharing success and failure examples of the various interrelations of morality and politics. It is a constantly returning question whether political leaders can and/or should be obliged to defend basic moral values? Till date no common consensus has been formulated on the role and relevance of morality in politics. Many see ethics in politics as a contradiction in terms, or even worse, an inhibiting factor that may hamper or harm the political process and derail decision-making. Others consider morality as a possible added value for politics which has to be taken in account along with interests to increase confidence and approval of political decisions. Examples should highlight the role of morality as an inescapable hindrance or necessity in politics. Another disturbing development – the loss of an ethical compass in business, especially in finance – will be addressed at a follow-up Global Round Table. * CONVENTIONAL DEFINITIONS (MERRIAM WEBSTER THESAURUS: - http://www.merriam-webster.com/netdict.htm) Morality: Beliefs about what is right and wrong behaviour; The degree to which something is right and good; The moral goodness or badness of something; Distinction between guilt and shame societies; Self-imposed morality (virtue, honour) vs. morality imposed by social mores and rewards-punishments. Ethic: rules of behaviour based on ideas about what is morally good and bad. Politics: The art of science of government; The art of science concerned with guiding or influencing government policy; The art of science concerned with winning and holding control over a government. Culture specific Morality (examples of concern): Equity (fairness / human focus) – mainly European model; Equality (equal opportunity / success focus) – mainly US model; Inclusivity (family / community focus) – mainly Asian model; Exclusivity (“the chosen” / hegemony focus) – e.g. Islamic State. * 9 “… could a tale unfold whose lightest word would harrow up thy soul …” Hamlet William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616) Reminder: Political correctness endangers honest and direct dialogue. 10 THE GLOBAL ROUND TABLE 2015 MAIN EVENT The main objective of any politician is to be elected and remain in power. The way to it can be muddy and MORALITY can be stretched to limits. This event is not a judgement about past MORAL blunders of any political parties, neither accusation of any individual politician’s questionable MORALITY. Aim The aim of the round-table is to promote greater MORAL responsibility by political- and societal leaders, and better understanding by the citizens of the importance of MORALITY in the 21st Century societies, more than ever before. Motivation Political decisions often disregard wider MORAL implications. In most cases this is due to political naivety or inadequate foundation of politicians, rather than determined misleading of population. One-sided focus on narrow party-political objectives and economic competitiveness – combined with limited democratic participation in deciding on societal choices – often result in short-sighted, even reckless political decisions. Political idealism, even naivety, and unfounded enthusiasm could make the situation even worst. Form The issue is addressed in a focused round-table by invited high-level experts and relevant individuals that have hands-on experience