Center for Science, Policy, and Outcomes
Rethinking the Role of Science in SocietyA project of Columbia University in the City of New York
Living with the Genie: Governing the Scientific and Technological Transformation of Society in the 21st Century
sponsored by- Columbia University's Center for Science, Policy, and Outcomes
- The Funders' Working Group on Emerging Technologies
- The HKH Foundation
While science and technology transform our society at an ever-accelerating pace, governments and cultures remain ill-equipped to manage these changes or to control their direction. Crucial issues such as the ability of wealthy nations to set the global agenda for research and development, struggles over the ownership of knowledge and intellectual property, and ethical controversies over cloning, gene therapy and other new capabilities remain unresolved.
Columbia University's Center for Science, Policy, and Outcomes, in partnership with The Funders' Working Group on Emerging Technologies and the HKH Foundation, are assembling a small group of influential individuals with the vision and experience to help bring fresh perspectives to these challenges. Through a series discussions among leading scientists, educators, philosophers, media representatives, entrepreneurs and others, we hope to provide a catalyst both for discourse and for action within the U.S. and around the world. The venue for these activities will be a by-invitation-only conference entitled “Living with the Genie: Governing the Scientific and Technological Transformation of Society in the 21st Century” at Columbia University in New York on March 5-7, 2002. We feel this event would be enhanced greatly by your participation and we would like to invite you to attend.
Our goal is to create a unique multi-cultural forum within which each participant will share real-world knowledge, insight and experience while interacting with opinion shapers and educators across a broad spectrum of disciplines, sectors and cultures. In so doing, participants will share in an ambitious attempt to conceptualize new frameworks for governance of the ethical, cultural and economic issues surrounding the explosion and growing influence of new and often controversial discoveries and technologies.
The conference will center around six moderated panel discussions focusing on the complex interrelations between science, technology and society. Are there feasible approaches for exercising control over the ways in which emerging technologies are changing our world? How can public goals and choices translate into effective agendas for science and technology? How do we find the path to get us where we want to go? How can we ensure that larger segments of the world's population will be represented in the decision-making process and will share in the benefits of our progress?
We arrive accepting that we don't know the answers, but aware that scientific research and technological progress now speeds forward with an autonomy of pace and direction that far outstrips the planning and response capabilities of our cultural and political institutions. We feel it is vital to begin taking an active role in determining the ways in which science and technology can best be used to enhance the quality of life throughout the world.
We are inviting two members of each discussion panel to write framing pieces to help provide a springboard for forethought and interaction. These works will be compiled into a book, to be edited by well-known novelist and physicist Alan Lightman, which we believe stands an excellent chance of garnering considerable attention. We are also crafting a comprehensive media plan, including the placement of press releases, participant interviews and op-ed pieces before, during and after the event, all designed to ensure that the ideas discussed and the visions articulated at this conference will resonate well into the future.
The conference has already received considerable financial support, including commitments from the Rockefeller Foundation; King Badouin Foundation, the Jennifer Altman Fund, and the Pettus Crowe Foundation. We hope this brief description has convinced you that our event will be sufficiently distinctive, influential and enjoyable for you to consider joining us in New York City March 5-7, 2002.
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