Hebron University participates in Think-tank Conference on the Alternative Paradigm to address the Multidimensional Global Crisis in Alexandria

Hebron, Palestine, 10 June 2013— Hebron University participated in the think-tank expert meeting on “Search for an Alternative Paradigm to address the Multi-dimensional Global Crisis” that was organized by the World Academy of Art and Science at the Library of Alexandria in Egypt on 5 and 6 June 2013. Dr. Mutaz Qafisheh, Professor of International Law at Hebron University, joined the 20 thinkers from selected institutions around the world, discussing multidisciplinary issues, including security, economy, education, law, technology, global warming, financial instability, pollution, unemployment, inequality, arms proliferation and social unrest. The participants found that, while the world facing an unprecedented dilemma, expanding opportunities are emerging side by side with intensifying problems. The proliferation of money, humanity seems driven by mutually exclusive, contradictory goals leading to apparently insoluble problems. Piecemeal sectoral solutions are transparently inadequate. The conference included presentations and a systematic open discussion of issues and solutions.

It was admitted that the global crises share common attributes. They all transcend narrow disciplinary boundaries, thus defying solution by partial, sectoral approaches. They are all global in nature and cannot be fully addressed without coordinated actions by the international community. Approaches to resolving the challenges are subject to conflicting claims, priorities and interests. The lack of significant progress on addressing these issues in recent years has raised doubts about the collective capacity of the human community to effectively address them. There is presently no consensus as to whether effective solutions are possible.

By providing a historical background on international law, Dr. Qafisheh led the discussion on the obstacles posed by the current system of international institutions that is still founded on the principle of national sovereignty. The institutional mechanisms for humanity to exercise legitimate rights are, by and large, absent. The gap between the rapid pace of technological change and the slower rate of cultural evolution were also emphasized. The increasing speed and reach of global communications, the shift in emphasis to human capital intensive development strategies, and the growing prominence of social networks were cited among a list of game-changing emerging trends. The conference identified the common root causes of the multiple global crises; ideas, principles and values on which comprehensive solutions need to be based; strategies, policies, proposals, legal and institutional mechanisms; and actionable steps.

The Alexandria conference will be followed by several further meetings and a major international conference. One anticipated outcome of this process will be a definitive report exploring the interrelationships between peace, security, economics, employment, global governance, rule of law, ecology, social process, technology, organization, education, research and individuality as dimensions of a comprehensive and integrated perspective.