BIOPOLICY – OVERCOMING THE CRISIS IN VALUES
THROUGH LEADERSHIP WITH A VISION
Prof. Agni Vlavianos-Arvanitis
President and Founder, Biopolitics International Organisation
10 Tim. Vassou St., Athens 11521, Greece Tel: (+30210) 6432419, Fax: (+30210) 6434093
e-mail: bios@otenet.gr www.biopolitics.gr
Abstract
Environmental and economic threats are growing because enlightened leadership is in scarcity in the world today. Effective leaders can spur environmental and economic progress by creating the context for change. The Silver Jubilee Anniversary of the Marmara Foundation, with so many distinguished leaders present, is the best opportunity to make big steps forward. It provides a unique platform for creating a new vision. A vision of hope for a “green society,” based on the establishment of peace and environmental harmony, and on the participation and mobilisation of every citizen. It also provides the opportunity for fruitful dialogue, with a thesis, antithesis and synthesis of new values by those who are concerned for the future.
The spreading environmental and economic crises have to be approached as a dual challenge for restructuring our economies, curbing unemployment, eradicating poverty, protecting biodiversity, and promoting clean energy, education, international cooperation and intercultural dialogue. The interdependence of interests is obvious. We need to forget the paradigms of the past where the neighbour was considered a threat and where differences in religion were a source of alienation. We need to give priority to a new dimension of profit; not profit in terms of money only, but also in terms of values and of ways of rebuilding society. This requires committed individuals, who can challenge traditional notions of leadership with progressive participatory techniques through multi-stakeholder dialogue, systems thinking, and inclusive cross-cultural processes.
For the past 25 years, the Biopolitics International Organisation (B.I.O.) acts as a driving force to ensure the continuity of life on our planet by stressing the interdependence among all forms of life and all cultures. We strive to “plant” new ideas and infuse new thinking, by mobilising the collective talent of our network in 150 countries through innovative projects and programmes that help to implement worldwide action for sustainable development and peace. I hope that this conference will lay fertile ground for the further growth of this vision, and will encourage environmental leadership development as a vital tool for inspiring economic and social change.
