Theme

The overall theme of the Conference is Freedom and Responsibility. Different aspects of the main theme will be discussed in four topical panels.

Freedom and Responsibility in Politics
The notion of political responsibility can be understood on two distinct levels. First, it can be seen as a special kind of responsibility associated with people in positions of political leadership. The second level of political responsibility is tied to the first. This is the politician’s responsibility for the actions of staff and even associates. For it is often argued that even if an individual politician did nothing improper, he/she is responsible for the acts of people working under his/her supervision or even for the acts of people who are associated with the politician merely by working in the general area for which the politician (a cabinet member, for example) is responsible.

Freedom and Responsibility in International Law
This conference panel will be concerned with issues surrounding International law and relations in the post-1945 world, especially the impact of the UN Charter of Human Rights and subsequent human rights treaties, human rights and non-governmental agencies, International security and criminal law, crimes against humanity and the International Criminal Court, global trade law, World Trade Organization, and business responsibility, global business and protection of environment, migration of labor force and protection of victims of human trafficking, governmental and non-governmental agencies of war, criminalization and prosecution of war-related activities etc.

Freedom and Responsibility in Media
This conference panel will address issues surrounding the media. What do we mean when we say that the media must be free, pluralistic and independent, and at the same time socially responsible? We know that free and independent media cannot thrive in undemocratic countries, but do not attempts to control and interfere with the media occur in democracies as well? Are not, in reality, even public service broadcastings frequently subject to political and economic pressures and to influences ensuing from increasing competition with commercial broadcasting? Are self-regulatory mechanisms in the media allowed for and encouraged, and if so, how in practice are they carried out and guaranteed? What, indeed, is the state of the press and the media in the world today? Is it true that they do not enjoy the same trust as they did in the past? If so, then why? And what could be done to improve the general situation, and by whom and how should such reform, if needed, be performed?

Freedom and Responsibility in Business
This conference panel will address issues surrounding business. Why should companies focus on such things as Corporate Social Responsibility? Is it better to cover CSR by law or should it operate on a voluntary basis? Should companies intervene in the public arena? How can companies contribute to the creation of a multicultural diverse society? What should be the responsibility of state administration, business, NGOs in a modern society? Is it worth investing in the environment? When investing abroad, should companies follow local business ethics or import their own? Do companies have responsibility for older employees? Human rights or business -who should decide?