It has been a privilege to welcome many distinguished Russian friends to the Hellenic-Russian Symposium organized by the Biopolitics International Organisation (B.I.O.). The presence of decision-makers from various aspects of society has greatly enhanced the implementation of biopolitics ideals.
In view of the crisis of values in the present society, B.I.O. has proposed since 1985 the bio-assessment of technological progress, an on-going search for new values in all aspects of human endeavor. In the present meta-industrial era, immense problems have been created in spite of the technological achievements. The scale of destruction of the bio-environment has gone beyond geographical and national boundaries. In view of the threats to the bio-environment, new priorities need to be created by placing the respect and better understanding of the bio-environment at the core of every action.
Several B.I.O. international conferences and symposia have been organized, in an effort to increase public awareness of the need to prevent the destruction of the bio-environment. It is hoped that the present Hellenic-Russian symposium provides the forum for the discussion of dimensional issues related to the international cooperation on the bio-environment, bio-diplomacy, the role of women and the environmental impact on health.
This symposium was held in a week of historical changes which resulted in the transition from the former Soviet Union to the Russian Federation and to an ensemble of independent states. The reference to either `USSR’ or `Russia’ during participants’ presentations has been retained throughout the present publication of proceedings.
I would like to express my gratitude to H.E. Ambassador Panayotis Economou, General Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Nikos Anagnostopoulos, General Secretary of Adult Education and Dr. John Bailey, President of the American College of Greece, for the continuous support they provided in the organization of this B.I.O. event. In addition, appreciation is expressed to Mr. Christos Efthimiopoulos for his editorial assistance. The realization of this symposium became possible thanks to the sponsorship of: Vianex S.A.; Alusuisse – Lonza Holding Ltd.; ELAIS S.A.; D. Kourtakis; S. Economidis.
The publication of this volume has become possible thanks to the following B.I.O. sponsors for the year 1993: INTRACOM A.E.; I.F. Kostopoulos Foundation; A.G. Leventis Foundation; Gerasimos Vasilopoulos; H. Benroubi & Son S.A.; Hellenic Industrial Development Bank S.A.; ELAIS S.A.; MAVIKO S.A.; EKO S.A.; Friesland Hellas S.A.
Dr. Agni Vlavianos-Arvanitis
President and Founder of the B.I.O.
