Introduction

Organized in honour of Pr Jacques Berleur

With kind support of :

Introduction

'Information Society : Governance, Ethics and Social Consequences' is a two-day conference that pays tribute to and builds on the work of Professor Jacques Berleur of the University of Namur, Belgium. Two of the key institutions with which Jacques has worked closely over the years, the University of Namur and the International Federation for Information Processing, are joining together to celebrate his commitment to their endeavours in a very dynamic, pro-active, and future-looking way. The purpose of the conference is to dedicate academic reflection on the issues, challenges and problems posed by the Information Society, and also to focus on applied approaches. The Conference intends to bring together actors from institutions, organisations and companies as well as representatives of the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) in an animated discussion.

Presentation of the conference

The last half of the 20th century has speeded up the integration of technological elements into economic production and social life. Those transformations are closely linked to some techno-scientific developments in various areas, and in particular, to some stunning developments in information and communication technologies (ICT). The ongoing complex process of the Information Society is still in search of a social and a political project, and of a steady frame of references and values. The essential stake is to build up the "world of networks" on the basis of a cultural model and of clear collective choices, so that the principles of democracy can be reproduced without any substantive losses. The issue of reframing technical and scientific choices through ethical and democratic perspective arises in the context of the Information Society, but faces its ideology of the fatality and the destiny of technology.

I. Problematic : Democracy in Question

The democratic power is still seeking to regulate the economic system, but it also has to control technological developments in setting up limits defined by societies, and in choosing technical means fitting their ethical ends. This challenge questions the ability of decision-making systems to solve the problems posed by the development of the Information Society according to the requirements of democracy and ethics. A reflexive approach is needed to more accurately determine more accurately the scope of ethics in a regulation context, as well as the relationship between ethics, rationality and innovation. The legitimacy of technological innovations requires a connection between the technical justifications and the social ones, to consider their ethical meanings and to demonstrate their democratic opportunity. At the time of a worldwide "cyberspace", democratic societies should concern about the nature of public space and of general interest, which questions the Information Society as a project and as a reality.

II. Which Approaches for Which Ethics ?

One should admit the failure of a methodology which grounds the ethical reflection on a sociological analysis of the techno-scientific systems and of the decision-making processes. In fact, each domain refers to some specific criteria which provides relevance and legitimacy to it, but which prevents ethics to be deduced from science. This suggests grounding a better governance of techno-science on the legitimate meaning of ICT, by favouring institutional education and by avoiding technology policies exclusively based upon risk evaluation or economic interest. It invites us to think differently about institutional experimentation in the area of democratic governance of innovations, as opposed to technocratic decisions and models. It is possible, then, to build a common world based on a mosaic of identities, interests and rationalities, which are all present in complex societies, and to make uncertain and controversial situations manageable.

III. The Link between Theory and Practice

Institutions are often bound by their mandates, and may find it difficult to respond to the demands made to them by civil society. On the other hand, non-governmental associations would often appreciate more opportunity to give feedback on policy and institutional decision-making. Why, and how, decision-making about information and communication technologies has been treated until today ? The fundamental question is then: How do we link theory and practice? With the theoretical framework given on the first day and the practical experiences provided by the second day speakers, the audience will work dynamically together to produce conclusions and proposals for work in the future. In the context of an exploration of the Information Society, the Conference provides an open opportunity for institutions and civil society to explore their mutual relationships.

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Programme 22 May
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