Business programme

The Frontiers of Humanity as Defined by Science and Life

04 Jun , 17:00–18:15
Joining Forces to Advance Development
Congress Centre, conference hall D1

Humanity underwent a profound evolution in self-awareness in the 20th century. Enormous leaps forward were made in science and technology, rapid development affected virtually all areas of life, and the global population surged. The explosion of the information age and a succession of crises also left their mark. Indeed, the most recent crisis has made us look at what appeared to be inviolable values in a new light. It has not only served to spur economic and technological advances, but also given rise to a range of destructive phenomena. These include the closing of borders, isolationism, and information wars. There is a line of thought that epidemics are nature’s way of controlling the spread of various species. If a population displays excessive growth, it, as a rule, becomes affected by a pathogen, and the population of the species in question returns to equilibrium. Nature therefore maintains the balance of the biosphere, and prevents an ecological catastrophe. At the same time, people believe in the potential of science to solve if not all, then a great many problems facing humanity. Indeed, scientific advancements can help greatly improve quality of life. Any sustainable development model that meets the needs of the current generation without adversely affecting the next generation envisages a major role played by science. Are there any limits to growth, including in extending life expectancy? Might we reach the boundaries of possibility in the near future? To what degree are concepts such as growth and development compatible with concerns surrounding the environment, the economy, and society? And what influence do external factors exert? Can we peacefully coexist with nature, and reduce the burden we place on it?

Moderator
Maxim Safonov, Director, Green Capital Alliance; Professor, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA)

Panellists
Arutyun Avetisyan, Director, Ivannikov Institute for System Programming of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Riccardo Valentini, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate; Professor, University of Tuscia
Ruben Enikolopov, Rector, New Economic School
Evgeny Kryukov, Head, S. M. Kirov Military Medical Academy
Mikhail Piradov, Director, The Research Center of Neurology
Alexander Rasumov, President, National Spa Association; Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Alexander Sergeev, President, Russian Academy of Sciences
Olga Tkacheva, Director, Russian Clinical and Research Center of Gerontology of the Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (RNRMU) of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation
Mounir Hamdi, Founding Dean, College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University

Front row participants
Kirill Babaev, Deputy Director, Institute of Far Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IFES RAS)
Victoria Badtieva, Head of Branch No. 1, Moscow Centre for Research and Practice in Medical Rehabilitation, Restorative and Sports Medicine, City of Moscow Department of Health
Igor Kogan, Director, D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Reproductive Medicine
Aleksandr Lila, Director, V.A. Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology
Ruslan Novikov, General Director, Argumenty I Facty
Gennady Ponomarenko, General Director, Federal Scientific Center of Rehabilitation of the Disabled named after G.A. Albrecht of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Russian Federation
Sergey Popov, Head, St. Petersburg Centre for Endoscopic Urology and New Technologies
Sergey Samoilenko, Scientist, Volcanologist, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Additional Education Teacher; Founder, Vulcanarium Museum

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