Around 900 participants from 71 countries are attending the second World International Studies Conference, WISC 2008, taking place at the Ljubljana Faculty of Social Sciences (FDV). The conference, dealing with international relations and the world after 9/11, was addressed on Wednesday by president Danilo Tuerk.
The conference has a wide agenda and will undoubtedly generate ideas which will help solve various international issues, Tuerk said.
Today's world faces challenges that are no easier to deal with than those in the Cold War, he said.
He highlighted the importance of global partnerships such as the one between the EU and the US and pointed out that the global development depended on them.
The conference will focus on norms and values in the world after 9/11, Zlatko Sabic of the FDV, who is also the President of the Central and East European International Studies Association (CEEISA), said at a press conference prior to the event.
Special attention will be given to scientists from developing countries, mostly from Africa and Asia.
According to Sabic, the fact that the conference is taking place in Ljubljana is no coincidence. It is a recognition to the Central and Eastern Europe's contribution to international studies.
WISC unites experts in international relations from all around the world and promotes the exchange of experience and know-how in the field, Executive Secretary A. J. Groom said at the press conference.
Executive Director Thomas J. Volgy added that the conference aims at creating a global network of science branches and experts and also include in the debate those who are involved in political decision-making.
The dean of the FDV Anton Grizold said that the questions addressed by the conference, such as global security, human rights and the environment, affect everyone and that it was up to sociologists to find the answers.
University of Ljubljana Chancellor Andreja Kocijancic said that the location of the conference was an excellent choice, as FDV professors were internationally acclaimed experts and good organisers and also because the University of Ljubljana strove to be an open and international institution.
The conference, is supported by the state, the Ljubljana municipality and several foreign embassies and companies based in Slovenia.
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