IFSSO

21st IFSSO General International Conference

Venue: Yldz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey

09-10 April 2013

"THE WAYS AND MEANS OF

LIVING IN PEACE AND HARMONY IN A MULTICULTURAL WORLD"

IFSSO
International Federation of The Istanbul Foundation Social Science Organizations for Science and Culture Yldz Technical University Organizers : IFSSO : International Federation of Social Science Organizations (http://ifsso.net) YTU : Yldz Technical University (http://www.yildiz.edu.tr/en) IFSC : Istanbul Foundation for Science and Culture (http://iikv.org) Contacts : Nestor Castro, IFSSO, President, dr.nestor.castro@gmail.com Hakan Glerce, IFSC, Secretariat, hakangulerce@iikv.org (Abstracts)

CALL FOR PAPERS

Scholars today frequently suggest that the problems besetting us stem from the abandoning of ethical principles and moral degeneration. It is as though, while taking giant strides forward in science and technology, humanity has forgotten the fundamental principles underlying existence and has neglected essential human values. People live to acquire more and consume more, but have forgotten the spiritual and moral needs of their human ontology. Their homes have grown larger, but families have grown smaller and have even dispersed. They journey to the depths of space, but have strayed from the paths leading inward to their own selves. Mass communications are all-encompassing, but relations with family and neighbours are minimal. News channels have multiplied, but truth and reliability have diminished and disappeared. Information technology has been developed to an astonishing degree, but psychological problems, social injustices, global crises, and ecological disasters have also increased. How has this happened? Science should have brought greater understanding of the human being, nature, and the purpose of creation, and assisted in their ful lment. Was it that science was misunderstood or misused? Was it utilized solely in serving particular interests and material needs? Could it be that the source of these problems was the absence of faith and spirituality, which keep humankind from committing excesses and turn them towards the doing of good? Was it the loss of spirituality that has been the cause of people su ering loneliness and unhappiness and their becoming insensitive and belligerent? These questions need close study, for only then may the answers be found and human beings live with the dignity they deserve. Certainly numerous civil and social organizations work to rectify these problems, but more often than not they neglect the spiritual aspects so that the partial solutions they o er hinder positive development rather than help it. As the world grows smaller, the problems grow larger so that they now clearly threaten the material and spiritual future of humanity. In this 21st IFSSO General International Conference which is being organized that year with the above objectives in mind, academics, specialists, and writers of all persuasions from all over the world will research the contributions to the peace, prosperity, and happiness of the humanity and will present papers on them.

SUBTITLES
We encourage scholars to consider writing on one of the following topics: The Modern World and Current Situation The Nature of Knowledge and its Utilization for Human Happiness The Dimensions and Facets of Morality Based on Faith and Knowledge The Problems of Racialism and Social Injustice, and their Solutions The Factors Nurturing a Culture of Violence, and their Solutions Solutions for Problems Arising from Multicultural Di erences Sense of Responsibility and Accountability Holistic Approaches to Morality and the Future of Humanity Impotence, Poverty, and Compassion as a Solution for Problems Mutual Assistance, Compassion, and Solidarity Economics to Solving Human Problems Problems Arising from Modernity and the Solutions Problems Caused by Secularization and Views on Their Solution Solutions Related to the Manipulation of Political Problems Solutions for Problems Related to Consumerism Compassion and Fellow-feeling Solutions for Problems Stemming from Religious Di erences The Various Crises A icting Contemporary Societies and Their Solutions

IMPORTANT NOTES
a) Abstracts of the papers, not exceeding 250 words, should reach the Conference Secretariat no later than 30 November 2012. Accompanying the papers should be a CV of applicants no longer than half a page in length. Both abstract and CV should be in Word format. The presenters of those papers accepted for presentation will be noti ed no later than 15 December 2012. Full papers should reach no later than 05 March 2013. They should not exceed 15 pages. Paper presenters will be accommodated by the organization but unfortunately there is no funding for travel expences. The language of the conference is English.

b) c) d) e)

CONTACTS
Nestor Castro, IFSSO, President, dr.nestor.castro@gmail.com Hakan Glerce, IFSC, Secretariat, hakangulerce@iikv.org (Abstracts)