World Social Science Forum 2013 - “Social Transformations and the Digital Age’’

The World Social Science Forum will take place in Montreal (Canada) from 13 to 15 October 2013. It is organized by the International Social Science Council (ISSC) together with a consortium of Canadian institutions, headed by the secretariat of the International Political Science Association, under the patronage of UNESCO. The Forum will focus on the theme “Social Transformations and the Digital Age’’.

Around a 1000 delegates and scholars from across various disciplines from over 80 countries will be brought together in Montreal to discuss the most recent developments and impacts of the newest digital technologies on social transformations and on the practice and teaching of social sciences.

These issues will be addressed in plenary events, parallel panels and special events. UNESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Programme will be involved in several sessions.

The Assistant-Director General for Social and Human Sciences of UNESCO will participate in the opening ceremony which will take place on 13 October.

A special UNESCO event will be organized on “Civil society, sciences and policymakers: digital technologies and platforms for sustainable development” on 13 October from 3 to 5 pm (GMT -4). It will be chaired by Mr Jan Monteverde Haakonsen, Vice-President of the Bureau of the MOST* Intergovernmental Council, Special Adviser at the Norwegian Research Council and member of the Norwegian National Commission to UNESCO.

UNESCO has also been invited to chair two other panels, one on “Cyberspace, Sustainability and Security in International Relations” and one on “Cultural Heritage”.

The ISSC is a major contributor to UNESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Programme. The Forum is organized under the patronage of UNESCO as part of its close cooperation with the International Social Science Council (ISSC).

This edition of the World Social Science Forum will be important for UNESCO to illustrate how the digital technologies transform social sciences and different aspects of life and society, including social transformations and social inclusion.

The World Social Science Forum series are occasions to demonstrate the global presence and authority of the social sciences. The Forums offers a cross-disciplinary and cross-regional platform for social scientists to exchange ideas on new approaches to global priority problems, and provides an occasion to study conceptual frameworks and examine established practices.

* UNESCO Management of Social Transformations Programme