Paradigm of Civilisation for the Third Millenium
On the occasion of the 11th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, Ukraine has undertaken a series of initiatives to search for ways of overcoming current difficulties and securing a brighter future. In this crucial period of transition, decision-makers and government representatives have considered Biopolitics and the Biopolitics ideals as capable of providing Ukraine with the necessary models for change. As a result, the B.I.O. was called upon April 14-17, 1997 to elaborate on the implementation of biocentric concepts in Ukraine, in order to ensure economic and societal development that respect the environment and improve quality of life, on a long-term basis. In a series of discussions with members of parliament in Kiev and at a conference held in Slavutich (the city adjacent to the Chernobyl Power Plant) B.I.O. President and Founder, Dr. Agni Vlavianos-Arvanitis, elaborated on an action plan that would enable Ukraine to exit the present crisis, through the pursuit of biocentric endeavours.
The conference in Slavutich, titled “Paradigm of Civilisation for the Third Millennium,” was organised by the “Overcoming” International Association and featured Biopolitics as the governing theme. The proceedings from this conference are a joint Overcoming” International Association and Biopolitics International Organisation publication. Conference participants included: B.I.O. Founding President, Dr. Agni Vlavianos-Arvanitis; “Overcoming” International Association Chairperson, Dr. Irina Beletskaya; Vladimyr Udovichenko, Mayor of the City of Slavutich; Sergei Parashin, Director, Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant; Valery Idelson, Head of Public Relations, Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant; Dr. Stanislav Sokolenko, Chairman of the Board, UKRIMPEX Joint Stock Company; Vladimir Alexyeyev, Member of Parliament; Grygory Rychagov, Member of Parliament; Dr. Michael Beletsky, Kiev Centre for Political and Conflict Studies; Rev. Igor Agapov; Professor Sergei Burago, Kiev International Relations Institute; Mark Gress, Script Writer/Director; Dr. Yuri Drobyshev, Professor of Informatics; Dr. Victor Elensky, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine; Professor Sergey Krimsky, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine; Yakov Lishansky, Head, Gidrospecgeologyia Industrial Association; Dr. Yuri Pavlenko, Institute of World Economics and International Relations; Professor Nadezhda Panchenko, Director, Ecological Centre for the Problems of Chernobyl; Dr. Alexander Serdyuk, Principal, Kharkov Management Institute; and Dr. Vadim Skuratovsky, Senior Lecturer, Kiev Drama Institute.
In her speech, Dr. Vlavianos-Arvanitis pointed out that:
“A potential shut-down of the Chernobyl Power Plant will create serious problems for the 26,000 inhabitants of the city of Slavutich. It is therefore essential to search for employment opportunities that will guarantee the development of the region and will also take advantage of the available infrastructure, in an effective manner. The initiative to turn Slavutich into a university town could not be more timely. The B.I.O. International University for the Bio-Environment (I.U.B.E.) Visiting Scholars Program would be a very good first step in this effort and could prepare the ground for more extensive academic development in the future. It is important to stress the moral and ethical issues, as well as the philosophical framework for this university centre. It must provide not only jobs, but also guidelines, and indicate to the whole country its new role in the world. While developing an economic structure and laying a philosophical foundation, we also must not forget that love, family relations, and parenting are of great importance, since Chernobyl children need special care.This is what is meant by “biocentric values.” Your beautiful country, with its rich culture and tradition, being at a cross-roads between East, West, North and South, is really an essential part of Europe. This place of ecological disaster and suffering should become the source of a new biocentric approach to solving the social and political problems of the whole country and the whole planet. Let the world forget the word “problem,” and let us fill ourselves with joy, because we possess bios, the most precious gift. And let us hope that a biocentric model of a city like Slavutich can become a model for the whole world. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Slavutich can be reborn. A biocentric vision can help create a balanced society, with the appropriate legal framework to support both technological progress and environmental protection. On the wings of the phoenix, messages of hope can resonate across the entire planet.”