The Conference Our Common Future
At the beginning of the 21st Century we are experiencing social, environmental, cultural, and technological change at an unprecedented pace. The best way of approaching the challenges posed by this fundamental change is to get involved in actively confronting them, in developing new concepts and approaches, and in shaping them continuously. The conference "Our Common Future", taking place in Hannover and Essen from November 2 to 6, 2010, will provide a platform for leading intellectuals, researchers, businesspeople, and politicians as well as a cross-section of young and future leaders to enter into a dialogue on identifying major challenges ahead, presenting different perspectives on global issues, and last but not least on suggesting solutions for the way ahead.
"Our Common Future" is a joint conference of the Volkswagen Foundation, Deutsche Messe and Stiftung Mercator in association with the city of Hannover and RUHR.2010. The conference resumes the discussion on central issues of our common future raised during the Expo 2000 in Hannover. In Essen, it is the closing event of the European Capital of Culture RUHR.2010.
The following research areas will be at the forefront of the debate:
Climate Change and EnergyFuture TechnologiesEconomic and Urban DevelopmentGlobal Health and Molecular MedicineHuman Rights and Global Values
The main objective of the conference is to facilitate the exchange of ideas between all those interested in and capable of contributing to a more sustainable future of science, economy and politics.
