05 December 2014
Systems Science and Israel
On 8 December 2014, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with IIASA, held a seminar at its headquarters in Jerusalem to explore the principles and benefits of systems science. Kabat highlighted how single-disciplinary science can no longer resolve the major global problems facing mankind because of the increasingly complex and interconnected world that we live in. Only systems science which takes a multi-scale, integrated, and interdisciplinary approach and considers social, economic, and environmental aspects that looks across borders and sectors, and that identifies side-effects or synergies, can identify long-lasting solutions to the challenges we face.
The event was opened and hosted by Ambassador Yossi Amrani of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. IIASA’s Professor Chin-Min Lee, Special Advisor to the Director-General and CEO, and IIASA research scholar Leena Ilmola also attended. Ilmola presented some her latest research into how to help decision makers to make wise decisions in situations where there is a high degree of uncertainty. Other presenters highlighted their work on models for complexities, social unrest, and technological influences.
During the visit, Kabat also met with Professor Eugene Kandel, Director of the National Economic Council in the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, and with Professor Ruth Arnon, President of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities. The objective was to strengthen IIASA's links with the Israeli research community as well as the research community in the wider Middle East region.
Agenda of Seminar at Headquarters of Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jerusalem
Monday, 8 December
09:00 Gathering and Registration
09:30 Ambassador Yossi Amrani: Opening Remarks
09:45 – 10:45 Prof. Dr. Pavel Kabat, Director General and CEO, IIASA: Principles and Benefits of Systems Science: The case of IIASA
10:45 – 11:30 Dr. Dan Miodownik Hebrew University of Jerusalem: Group Segregation and Urban Violence
11:45 – 12:15 Dr. Roey Tzezana Tel Aviv University: Tech. Influences
12:15 – 13:00 Prof. Sorin Solomon Hebrew University of Jerusalem: Models for complexities and social phenomena
13:00 - 14:00 Working Lunch
14:00 – 15:00 Dr. Leena Ilmola, IIASA: How to make wise decisions in the global environment of surprises
15:00 – 15:45 Mr. Sharon Tal: His current project
15:45 – 16:30 Closing Remarks and Collecting of Insights
19:30 Dinner hosted by Ambassador Amrani
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