Posted in Blog on Jun 05, 2024.
Author: Sophie Spooner
Panel description: The sciences and the arts represent two complementary dimensions of knowledge that can converse and converge with one another to generate continually evolving knowledge that is greater than the sum of its parts. This panel will explore ways to integrate the objective and subjective dimensions of knowledge by harnessing insights from philosophy, art, history, literature, music, cinema, and other forms of the humanities to foster human security.
Following the panel was a thought provoking and hope affirming experience; an event that encouraged listeners to “think and reconsider.” There were many interconnecting views and calls from all present for a change in our “ways of seeing” but also a recognition that changes are already taking shape and that a “significant shift” is already underway.
The panel voiced a recognition and respect for our youth who are showing they have the ideas, the motivation and the impetus to bring about vital change; and theirs is a voice which is rightfully being brought to the table in global discussions. And a voice which panellist, Luci Attala, Director of the UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES UK Hub, encouragingly says is “getting louder”. “They have got some strong and beautiful ideas and they tell a very different story.” An example of this can be seen at the UN Civil Society conference in Nairobi 9-10 May 2024, where Luci was on a panel titled “Unheard Voices of the future(s). The UN Civil Society Conference had an encouraging 40% of attendees under 30 years of age; with a very vital and engaging energy brought by this demographic throughout the conference who adopted the slogan “We the People”.
Echoing these sentiments, panellist, Mila Popovich, Director General, Directorate for Interculturalism, Government of Montenegro, recognised a vital need to “steer this social transformation with youth”. “everything hinges on belonging, on social cohesion, shared commitment and shared human values” and on “intercultural and social cohesion”.
In his opening remarks, Co-moderator, Benno Werlen, UNESCO Chair, Global Understanding for Sustainability, called for a paradigm shift from bottom up; he urged “To achieve Human Security for All, we must recognise that what we see as natural disasters often stem from flawed assessments of Nature promoting harmful responses”.
Benno’s remarks align with an overarching theme that came out of this panel; the way we view our place in Nature and our relationship with the Natural world. The need to see our relationship with the Natural world as one of co-creation. To recognise fully that as Human Beings, we are a part of Nature, and by not only recognising, but feeling this interconnectedness, we can view the global challenges we face from an equally “invested” perspective; one where we are part of the Natural world, not separate or “other” to.
Mila Popovich gave a motivational call to us all for a values based vision, asserting that "Humanity needs a new social contract based on the universal human rights and responsibilities and universal humanistic values for actual peace, true sustainability, and fundamental security for all"
Mila believes “It starts with individual relationships scaled up all the way to global institutional structures…to generate new systems of care and support…based on life-affirming systems and life-affirming values that can sustain all of us”
Diana Ayton-Shenker, CEO, Leonardo/ISAST, Arizona State University, co-moderating the panel, shared these powerfully resonating words, “to be the change we wish to be, we first have to envision it.” Diana’s inspiring call is to bring about a change from a paradigm of “contain, control, conquer; To one of, empathise, collaborate, and co-create.”
This powerful vision of a change in ways of seeing beautifully presented by Diana, adds depth to the shift in perspective that Luci spoke of; a need “ to challenge human exceptionalism” and remind ourselves “that existence is relational, we’re all in relationship and we’re in this together, with the plants, water, earth and so on.” Agreeing wholeheartedly with Luci’s comments, Mila added, “Our entire existence is relational.”
Benno Werlen expressed beautifully how “art has the possibility to change our ideas about the future”. And went on to talk about the vital role of art, in offering a different vision of “what living together in the future for the whole of humanity could look like.” Highlighting the ways humanities and the arts can help us to “envision” the changes we need to make to co-create a sustainably thriving future.
Benno went on to share his thoughts on how “the Humanities have the duty to build these bridges between the different parts of knowledge and bring them into the everyday practices of humans around the planet.”
Panellist, Denys Zacharopoulos, Art historian, critic, writer, university professor, museum director and exhibition curator, poignantly reminded listeners of the power of relating and the strength of the humanities in this vital area: “The humanities are definitely a way to reconsider how we relate to human experiences and human practices”. It is through this relating we are able to question behavioural patterns and forge new sustainable patterns in human practices.
Luci Attala, Director of the BRIDGES UK Hub, based at University of Wales Trinity Saint David, shared these inspirational words: “Only through the humanities and arts can we tap into the depths of our hearts and evoke the profound solutions needed in our time.”
“BRIDGES is trying to humanise all of the disciplines, so we can establish flourishing, not just sustaining” lives. “And this goes beyond boundaries” in a truly transdisciplinary way, giving space to “interpersonal and intersectoral community-driven collaborations….and bringing new stories to life. And it is often in these new stories where the innovation is held.” A humanities-driven sustainability science approach to addressing the UN SDG’s and ultimately Human security for all, “addresses those aspects of adaptation and change…from culturally defined roots…relying on these really qualitative features to tell stories and use critical thinking.”
Luci adds how the BRIDGES method “strengthens the sustainability science domain by instrumentally and meaningfully including the humanities and the arts in all research projects from the very outset, from the research question stage, so there’s a fundamental shift. Bridges uses a broad and inclusive definition of Humanities.” This approach is impactful and feeds into Benno’s call for a paradigm shift from bottom up. This can only happen if the communities and organisations at the grassroots level are included from the offset in efforts to discover solutions.
The Humanities has a huge part to play in future human security for all, as Mila Popovich reminded listeners “Through self-expression we can influence policy, influence institutions towards social change.”
Summing up: Diana Ayton-Shenker expressed how discussions unanimously agreed on the need to “truly humanise how we go forward not just towards a sustainable development but into something in which we truly flourish….We need a process of moving into a regenerative system…where new questions and new ways of looking, of belonging, of becoming and of being, and new stories come into being.”
The views presented at WAAS@64 will help the Board create a framework of programs and activities in support of the United Nations #SDGs, peace and human security for all.
The #WAAS64 online conference continues on 26 & 27 June 2024; With a session co-chaired by Founding Executive Director of BRIDGES Steven Hartman & Garry Jacobs, President and CEO of WAAS, on 26 June: “Toward a Transdisciplinary Theory of Change and Process of Social Evolution." (12:00-13:45 EST; 17:00-18:45 BST; 18:00-19:45 CET; 21:30-23:15 IST).
For further information: WAAS@64 Conference and General Assembly - World Academy of Art and Science
“Harnessing the Humanities for Human Security” Panel Information:
A video of the panel can be found here: Harnessing the Humanities for Human Security | WAAS@64 | May 16, 2024 (youtube.com)
Moderators:
Benno WERLEN, UNESCO Chair, Global Understanding for Sustainability, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Germany; FWAAS
Diana AYTON-SHENKER, CEO, Leonardo/ISAST; Executive Director, Leonardo-ASU Initiative; Professor of Practice, Arizona State University
Panellists:
Luci ATTALA, Anthropologist and Director, UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES (UK); FWAAS
Mila POPOVICH, Director General, Directorate for Interculturalism, Government of Montenegro; Trustee, WAAS
Denys ZACHAROPOULOS, Art historian, critic, writer, university professor, museum director and exhibition curator; FWAAS
Rapporteur: Serena SCAPAGNINI, Visual Artist; JFWAAS
