THE PROTECTION OF THE BIO-ENVIRONMENT
The Role of Women and Youth
Roundtable Discussion
American College of Greece, Athens, December 14, 1991
Dr. John S. Bailey
President, American College of Greece, U.S.A.
Today, our senses are being assailed on all sides by television, newspapers and magazines, each competing for our attention. Perhaps the one benefit of international television is the fact that it has heightened our awareness of the tremendous and appalling conditions created by pollution. Whether it is nuclear or industrial waste, what we need now are solutions.
Organizations such as the Biopolitics International Organisation provide the light and the way to find solutions to these horrendous, human-created problems. We hope that the American College of Greece can support this effort and are pleased to have a student organization in the upper division already working toward this end. Due to these efforts, people will acquire the momentum to confront some of the problems facing bios and we may ultimately have a beautiful environment in which to live and learn.
Nikos Anagnostopoulos
General Secretary of Adult Education, Ministry of Education, Greece
On behalf of the Ministry of Education, I am very pleased to welcome our distinguished guests from the Soviet Union. I express my deepest appreciation to Dr. Vlavianos-Arvanitis, Founder and President of the Biopolitics International Organisation. This discussion is necessary in order to stress the knowledge that all of us ö parents and children ö should regard the matter of protecting the bio-environment, a valuable property.
Society has to change and improve now. Twenty years ago, no one was concerned with the protection of the environment, but now we all welcome the efforts of Dr. Arvanitis. The hope is to initiate a tradition of inviting specialists and that our united efforts may sensitize governments to the need of including Biopolitics in the university curriculum, so as to create possibilities for exchange of information in order to improve the quality of life of future generations. International cooperation will contribute to opening new pathways for youth and humanity as a whole, allowing for the protection of the miraculous gift of bios.
Valerij Gryshin
Head of the Information Department, Council of Ministers, Russia
There is a deep political meaning in the events that are presently taking place in Russia. It is hoped that political changes will lead to the formation of a new federation in the near future. In the past, government leaders completely took control of the decision-making process. Today, life depends increasingly on personal intellectual capabilities. It is very difficult to promote short-time changes in a region as vast as the former USSR. Issues such as the situation of children are hardly possible to overcome.
New opportunities in the above fields need to be explored. Recently, a new tendency was developed for the enhancement of entrepreneurs’ activities. A tremendous potential exists in the country to undertake this task. A great potential may be generated by forces which for several decades were exploited by the military complex. For quite some time, up to 70% of the total production was used for military purposes to the detriment of the people. Now this situation is changing.
The effort should be to look for the means to reward society and to increase awareness in the needed directions for the realization of the progress of the Biopolitics ideals. We are all requested to work hard in this direction.
Dr. Alexandra Momdjan
Vice-President, Academy of Creative Endeavors,
President, International Women’s Center, Russia
The Academy of Creative Endeavors is a newly established, independent organization working in the field of science and culture, and is run according to the principle of the foremost world. Activities are conducted in the direction of consolidation and the creative development of science and culture. The International Women’s Center was founded in order to support women and children in social, legal, medical and other fields. In the age of active leadership and great discussion about freedom, we should not overlook it.
In the system of humanity’s global problems, women’s ecology should be a priority issue in such an organization as the Biopolitics International Organisation. This outstanding organization is bringing a new approach to the understanding of the world by attracting humanity’s attention to the problems of our era. The Academy of Creative Endeavors and the International Women’s Center have established links with the Biopolitics International Organisation and hope to organize interesting joint programs to which all participants are invited.
Eleni Daifa-Frantzeskaki
President, Greek Women’s Union `Panathinaiki’
It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to meet with many distinguished personalities and leaders of women’s organizations. Panathinaiki is an organization active in the field of women’s rights, as determined by the EC legislation on labor status, by promoting changes in attitude, developing political and cultural awareness, seeking the active participation of women in programs for education and the sensitization of the public opinion. Cooperation with existing international organizations is greatly needed. In this framework, we provide our full support for the goals of the Biopolitics International Organisation and look forward to a close collaboration with the President of the B.I.O.
Effi Messologhitou-Petrea
President of the Greek Soroptimist Society, Greece
Soroptimism is an international women’s organization. Its goal is to unify women in a common effort to develop and reveal their inner potential, to assist in cultural, social and humanitarian activities and to work together in a spirit of love and sincere friendship. The pollution of the natural environment reflects our contemporary environment of ideologies. The destruction of the bio-environment is not the cause, but the result of a disorientation of the human personality. Both Biopolitics and Soroptimism deal with the causes rather than the symptoms, hoping to reverse the current trends of our society.
Lala Nicolis
General Secretary, Greek Soroptimist Society, Greece
Education is the foundation upon which we shall build our whole environment. People no longer have the luxury to decide whether or not action should be taken regarding problems of the bio-environment. Humanity needs to react and establish a `natural contract’ with bios, with the human species becoming landkeeper instead of landlord. Only through education can people fully understand the meaning, beauty and interdependence of humans with nature.
Alexander P. Kouznetsov
Director General, Tsaritsa Firm, Russia
“Tsaritsa”, a Russian firm incorporating the concepts of bio-architecture in modern Russian design, was founded upon the principles of ecologically sound construction, paying respect to traditional Russian architectural styles. Bio-design must incorporate the biological influences of the materials’ natural oils. Bio-architecture and bio-design provide generations with the means for a better future. These principles can help maintain the traditional diversities of architectural styles while harmonizing with the bio-environment.
Alexander Oleskin
Visiting Scientist, Exchange Program between the B.I.O. and Moscow University, Russia
The development of biopolitics depends upon the participation of youth, especially of young, capable scientists related to other fields of creativity. Young people from different countries have become increasingly involved in the important, practical activities promoted by the Biopolitics International Organisation. Biological knowledge is becoming more important for the professional activities and lifestyles of people. The interest in biopolitics should be enhanced by developing a system of biological education related to biopolitics.
Christos Efthymiopoulos
Student, University of Athens, Greece
The young generation believes in values and principles, but they need to expand on their vision and acquire a social dimension in their thinking. Society needs to provide the young generation with an increased feeling of responsibility, not only to help young people to achieve personal ideals, but also to encourage them to work for the benefit of the whole of humanity. The Biopolitics International Organisation considers education as a pathway to develop and liberate the potential of youth, leading to a feeling of gratitude for the gift of life.
Tony Bosnackoudis
Journalist, Writer, Junior Chamber, Greece
Several activities reflecting the spirit of the B.I.O. satellite proposal are promoted by the Junior Chamber. These include the creation of a Greek network of three geostationary communication satellites. Each geostationary satellite can also be used for fighting forest fires by acting as a communication node between an extensive ground network of monitoring towers and a ground based control installation. Among other things, another proposal concerns the use of relatively simple satellites for environmental training. A hydrogen network could be established to turn the Aegean Sea into a field for producing hydrogen for use as fuel.
Tassos Demetropoulos
President, North Athens Junior Chamber, Greece
The J.C. is a non-governmental organization which numbers 500,000 members in 90 countries. In the last International Model UN General Assembly several proposals were accepted. `Wall’ proposals include the imposition of International Trade Restrictions on the export of non-environment-friendly technologies, especially to the developing countries. `Key’ proposals include the conduct of educational programs for creating awareness on environmental issues, interconnection of databanks and imposition of international standards towards a gradual shift to environment-friendly energy production means.
Emmanuela Kantzia
Student, Athens College, Greece
The educational system in Greece favors specialization from a fairly young age, thus contributing to the alienation of students who are split into groups according to their academic interest. A solution could be the introduction of a new course of a general character, combining knowledge from various sciences, introducing the principles of biopolitics and serving as an orientation for the youth of today. Through education, students will become more concerned and hopefully this will help scorch the myth of apathy.
Maria Maroulidou
Student, Athens College, Greece
Jean Jacques Rousseau’s main belief that man has become evil since he lost contact with nature is more true today than it was at the time he lived. Hopefully, young people have already started being sensitized to the problem. Various environmental clubs and campaigns have been launched in many high schools in our country. Thanks to the perseverance of the founders, many students were gradually sensitized and provided support and feedback. The main philosophy of biopolitics, especially the respect for the environment and life itself, should be introduced in secondary and higher education.
Professor Sergei Kolesnikov
Co-President, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, Russia
A combined vision of education and activity is needed in our young generation. Ignorance of environmental problems has become the illiteracy of the present epoch. The activities of the young and adult generations cannot be based purely on scientific knowledge of different problems but also on increased sensitization. Society will be in danger if we destroy something with no alternative substitute.
The people of the world are now in a good position to take a stand on the issue of the prevention of nuclear war. Satellite programs also present a great interest. Our organization will launch a satellite into orbit which is sponsored by international physicians and private donations. Satellites are suitable for the exchange of information between different parts of the world, especially in under-developed regions. A satellite network may be helpful in the exchange of medical and environmental information. Another interesting aspect for youth cooperation is the collection of information about pollution and health status by satellite, already implemented in Siberia. These programs may contribute to helping overcome society’s urgent needs like food shortages or deficiencies of drugs which, in the case of our country, cause about 4,000 deaths every day. From the biological and social point of view, we need to return to the roots of knowledge, not only to the basics of the individual organism but also of the societal organism.
Dr. Nikos Katsaros
Special Secretary of Research and Technology, Ministry of Industry, Greece
All the discussions during this symposium lead to one clear message: action is needed in the field of biopolitics. Consequently a nucleus may be formed, particularly among the younger people, with the purpose of spreading the ideals and philosophy of biopolitics into education. Similarly, every governmental office must become familiar with the term `biopolitics’ and incorporate programs related to the diffusion and dissemination of information concerning the bio-environment. The future of countries and individuals depends to a certain degree upon the politicians. The public needs to be properly informed in order to adopt the Biopolitics International Organisation proposals for action in this very important field.
Dr. John Bailey is President of the American College of Greece; President Emeritus of the Association of American International Colleges and Universities; Director of the National Council of Northeastern University; Vice-President of the Hellenic-American Union; Member of the International Association of University Presidents.
Nikos Anagnostopoulos is Secretary General of Adult Education of the Ministry of National Education; former Member of the Greek Parliament; former Member of the Municipal Council of Athens.
Valerij Gryshin has been one of the closest persons to the President B. Yeltzin since the formation of the Russian Federation, heading the information department of the Council of Ministers of Russia.
Dr. Alexandra Momdjan is President of the International Women’s Center `Women’s Future'; Vice-President of the Academy of Creative Endeavours; Member of the Organizing Committee for Women’s Summit (Reikijavik, 1992), Coordinator of the UNESCO Program `World Decade of Cultural Development’.
Lala Nicoli studied history and archeology at the University of Athens, and continued with graduate studies at the Universities of Paris, Colorado and Michigan State. She is a founding member of International East Club of the Greek Soroptimist Union, General Secretary of the Greek Soroptimist Union (1986-88), a Coordinator of Education (1988-90), has participated in many conferences and meetings, and is involved in many projects concerning family psychology.
Christos Efthymiopoulos is a physicist currently completing a Ph.D. in Astronomy at the University of Athens, and working on a research project at the Department of Astronomy and Applied Mathematics of the Academy of Athens. He has received a full scholarship award by the Foundation of State Scholarships of Greece. An active member of the Biopolitics International Organisation since 1988, he is also a Junior Member of the Hellenic Astronomical Society and of the United Nations Association of Greece.
Professor Sergei Kolesnikov, M.D. is founder and First President of the Eastern Siberian Scientific Centre of Russian (former USSR) Academic Medical Science, Irkutsk, Russia. He is Head of the Science Department of the Institute of Paediatrics and Human Reproduction. Specialising in embryology, his work was recognised in 1994 by his inclusion in “5000 Personalities of the World,” and in 1993 when he was included in “Who’s Who in the World” and “Who’s Who in Science and Technology.” He is chief editor of the bulletin of the Eastern-Siberian Science Centre, and co-founder of the International University for Bio-Environment, Athens, Greece. Author of more than 200 scientific articles and six books, he now has more than 20 trained assistants who now work outside Russia for him, including USA, UK, Israel and CIS countries.
Dr. Nikos Katsaros is a Senior Research Scientist at the National Centre of Physical Science “Demokritos,” Athens, Greece. His research areas include spectroscopy, inorganic chemistry, bio-inorganic chemistry and the environment. He has been a visiting research scientist in the USA, and Imperial College, London, and was Professor at the University of Maryland, European Campus, from 1986-1989. His other activities include Greek Chemical Society President; Special Secretary of Research and Technology, and members of the Council of Greek Chemical Societies, and the NATO Science Committee.
