[governance] International conference on Information Society: Governance, EThics and Social Consequences 22-23 May 2006 Namur Belgium

[Véronique Dumont]

Dear all,

I'm pleased to announce the international conference organized by the 
University of Namur and the IFIP WG9.2 :

"Information Society: Governance, Ethics and Social Consequences"
Date : 22-23 mai 2006
Place : Namur - Belgium

Presentation of the conference

The last half of the 20th century has speeded up the integration of
technological elements into economic production and social life. Those
transformations are closely linked to some techno-scientific developments in
various areas, and in particular, to some stunning developments in
information and communication technologies (ICT). The ongoing complex 
process
of the Information Society is still in search of a social and a political
project, and of a steady frame of references and values. The essential stake
is to build up the «world of networks» on the basis of a cultural model and
of clear collective choices, so that the principles of democracy can be
reproduced without any substantive losses. The issue of reframing technical
and scientific choices through ethical and democratic perspective arises in
the context of the Information Society, but faces its ideology of the
fatality and the destiny of technology.

I. Problematic : Democracy in Question

The democratic power is still seeking to regulate the economic system, 
but it
also has to control technological developments in setting up limits defined
by societies, and in choosing technical means fitting their ethical ends.
This challenge questions the ability of decision-making systems to solve the
problems posed by the development of the Information Society according 
to the
requirements of democracy and ethics. A reflexive approach is needed to more
accurately determine more accurately the scope of ethics in a regulation
context, as well as the relationship between ethics, rationality and
innovation. The legitimacy of technological innovations requires a 
connection
between the technical justifications and the social ones, to consider their
ethical meanings and to demonstrate their democratic opportunity. At the 
time
of a worldwide «cyberspace», democratic societies should concern about the
nature of public space and of general interest, which questions the
Information Society as a project and as a reality.

II. Which Approaches for Which Ethics ?

One should admit the failure of a methodology which grounds the ethical
reflection on a sociological analysis of the techno-scientific systems 
and of
the decision-making processes. In fact, each domain refers to some specific
criteria which provides relevance and legitimacy to it, but which prevents
ethics to be deduced from science. This suggests grounding a better
governance of techno-science on the legitimate meaning of ICT, by favouring
institutional education and by avoiding technology policies exclusively 
based
upon risk evaluation or economic interest. It invites us to think 
differently
about institutional experimentation in the area of democratic governance of
innovations, as opposed to technocratic decisions and models. It is 
possible,
then, to build a common world based on a mosaic of identities, interests and
rationalities, which are all present in complex societies, and to make
uncertain and controversial situations manageable.

III. The Link between Theory and Practice

Institutions are often bound by their mandates, and may find it difficult to
respond to the demands made to them by civil society. On the other hand,
non-governmental associations would often appreciate more opportunity to 
give
feedback on policy and institutional decision-making.
Why, and how, decision-making about information and communication
technologies has been treated until today ? The fundamental question is
then: How do we link theory and practice? With the theoretical framework
given on the first day and the practical experiences provided by the second
day speakers, the audience will work dynamically together to produce
conclusions and proposals for work in the future. In the context of an
exploration of the Information Society, the Conference provides an open
opportunity for institutions and civil society to explore their mutual
relationships.
website : http://www.info.fundp.ac.be/Informationsociety/
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