Presidency event (DK) - conference “Addressing the potentials of Human values by SSH designs to achieve human-centred sustainability”.

null

Expected Outcome:

The project is expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes:

• Discuss contemporary challenges and opportunities within the four different angles of human values in

1. A post- and/or trans-human world (personhood)
2. Sustainable consumption
3. A globalized world
4. Integration of Human based values in Research and Innovation

• Identify future Research and Innovation needs in the above-mentioned areas
• Identify areas of research which can concretely contribute to strengthening the respect for Human values for citizens in and beyond the EU.
• Contribute to discussions at the intersection of Human values, technology, and globalization, emphasizing the need for comprehensive dialogue to shape the future path of Europe.

Expected Impact:

The proposal should set out a credible pathway to contributing to the following impact of the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan:

• Social and economic resilience and sustainability are strengthened by SSH designs of Human values.
• Inclusive growth is boosted and/or vulnerabilities are reduced effectively by achieving trans-human-centred personhood.
• Acknowledgement of Human values as a core value in the European Union that thus should be a seminal element in the upcoming framework program for research and innovation (FP10).

Scope:

Conference Focus: Exploring Human values in the era of advancing technologies, globalization, and environmental concerns. Human values are tentatively defined as values that we all recognize as important in life (e.g. achievement, security, benevolence, self-direction)[[Schwartz, Shalom H. "Basic human values: Theory, measurement, and applications." Revue française de sociologie 47.4 (2007): 929.]]. Acknowledging these shared values thus implies respecting how individuals and groups prioritize them and tolerating individual and group-based differences in prioritization. Related concepts include Value-sensitive design[[Friedman, Batya. "Value-sensitive design." interactions 3.6 (1996): 16-23.

]] arguing that values emerge from the tools that we build and how we choose to use them, and post/trans-human-centred sustainability that attempts to change the way most people think about and value humans and humanity in relation to sustainability[[Dedeoğlu, Çağdaş, and Nikoleta Zampaki. "Posthumanism for Sustainability: A Scoping Review." Journal of Posthumanism 3.1 (2023): 33-57.]].

The conference aims to explore the potentials of Human values to contribute to societal and cultural development through SSH designs to achieve human-centred sustainability, with a specific focus on four key dimensions that warrant critical attention. Below we explain the four key dimensions.

• Personhood in the Age of Post- and/or Transhumanism:This topic investigates the evolving landscape of human identity in the age of transhumanism where human cognitive and physical abilities is expanded beyond biological constraints. It explores the potential enhancements, both physical and mental, facilitated by advancements in big data, artificial intelligence and e.g. genetic manipulation. Furthermore, it discusses the ethical implications and societal considerations associated with the augmentation of human capabilities and with the advance of posthumanism where the notion of personhood is expanded to non-human actors.
• Sustainable Consumption Practices:This topic examines the imminent threats posed by contemporary consumption practices, particularly regarding food and clothing. It addresses the attitude-behaviour gap, wherein positive attitudes towards sustainable consumption do not necessarily translate into corresponding behavioural changes. Therefore, research strategies to bridge this gap will be proposed, emphasizing the need for scientific knowledge, policy interventions, and behavioural insights to foster sustainable consumer practices.
• Human Values in a Globalized World:This topic analyses the impact of globalization on different societal groups, distinguishing between winners and losers in the process. it highlights the reconfiguration of conflicts, both economic and cultural, within Western societies, particularly the dynamics between elites and masses. The aim is to discuss ways to address disparities and promote inclusivity, considering the role of human values in shaping a fair and just globalized world.
• Human values and Horizon Europe:This topic engages in fostering a broader perspective on research beyond conventional skill development. It emphasizes the role of integrated human values and Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) in addressing challenges across all six clusters in Horizon Europe. The purpose is to stress the need for a well-conceived framework program to enable the effective integration of human values into research agendas and work programs.

This grant will be awarded without a call for proposals according to Article 195(e) of the Financial Regulation and Article 20 of the Horizon Europe Framework Programme and Rules for Participation.

Procedure: The evaluation committee will be composed fully by representatives of EU institutions.