Inadequacies in education, misuse of technology, irresponsible leadership, major accidents, as well as destruction by war, are factors which threaten the very existence of future generations. Action is needed to revitalise our appreciation of bios (life), and the bio-environment. Awareness of the imminent dangers is awakening in the conscience of people everywhere. It is believed that education can play a key role in reversing this catastrophic trend. This is why leading personalities from over 50 countries have pledged their full support to the Biopolitics International Organisation (B.I.O.) in implementing its goals. The launching of the International University for the Bio-Environment(I.U.B.E.) will serve as a global model of bio-education dedicated to a diachronic search in view of the challenges of the new millennium. This meta-university model will attempt to retain the positive aspects in education, while providing new values and alternative pathways that will allow us to sail smoothly into the future.
We are aware of the daily threats to all forms of bios. Bios, this fragile gift existing, as far as we know, only on our planet, is endangered by human arrogance. The destruction of the Amazon and the continuous diminution of bio-diversity burdens our conscience with guilt. In every corner of our planet, concerned individuals feel dispersed and helpless in their wish to contribute to the preservation of the co-existence of all forms of life.
After all the millions of years of evolution, we are able for the first time to understand the genetic code and alter it. Thus, technology serves not only as a revelation of the truth, but provides challenging alternatives. We need to respect life and search for ways to exist in harmony with plants and animals. We are on the threshold of a new millennium, a time when mistakes of the past can be discarded and positive action for the future can make global peace, good health and respect for bios a reality.
The vectors of technological progress provide the opportunity for a better future. To benefit from the expanding horizons of knowledge, institutions must be infiltrated with new and challenging dimensions. Excessive specialisation in present educational systems has contributed to technological progress but is also responsible for the fragmentation of thought. In view of present threats for the preservation of bios, there is a need to restructure the educational framework and redefine priorities. The present threats to bios are international problems and the required solutions relate to the development of educational policies for international understanding. Emphasis on an integrated system of education will help to efficiently handle bio-environmental issues. The bio-assessment of technology leading to the needed reforms in education should shift the center of gravity from anthropocentric to biocentric values and preserve the bio-environment. The participation of every one of us is needed for the construction of this tower of hope and vision. A tower that may allow light and brightness to prevail over confusion and anxiety.
I wish to thank H.E. Ambassador Panayiotis Economou, Professor Themistoklis Xanthopoulos, Mr. George David and Mr. Konstantinos Lazarakis for their support. I wish to thank those who provided their tireless efforts, especially Christos Efthimiopoulos and Polly Katsoyannou. In addition, I wish to express my gratitude to Michael Davakis for his valuable editorial assistance in the publication of this volume.
On behalf of the trustees of the B.I.O and all the participants, I wish to thank the sponsors of the Fourth B.I.O International Conference: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mrs. K. Kyriacopoulos, President, Bauxites Parnasse Mining Co.; A.G. Leventis Foundation; the General Secretariat for Youth of the Ministry of Culture; Olympic Airways; Captain N. Frangos; Mr. G. Vassilopoulos; Mr. E. Gatzonis; The British Council; Electra Hotel; Barclays Bank Plc.; Rank Xerox; Mr. D. Kourtakis; Mrs. D. Goulandris, Cycladic Art Museum; Mr. A. Potamianos, Epirotiki Lines and Pleasure Cruises; Elais S.A.; Mr. G. Demakos; Sun Alliance Insurance (Hellas) S.A.; Cibar Software Technologies, Europe S.A.; Infoware; Mrs. A. Tombrou.
The publication of this volume has been made possible thanks to the sponsorship of:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Meton S.A. – Aegek S.A.
3E – Hellenic Bottling Company S.A.
Veitsiluoto Oy, Finland
Hellenic Industrial Development Bank
Prof. Agni Vlavianos Arvanitis
Founder
International University for the
Bio-Environment
