The 40th Jubilee Year of the XVI ECPD International Conference, titled “THE FUTURE IS TO BE INVENTED,” was celebrated in the Ceremonial Hall of the Rectorate of the University of Belgrade on October 28th, 2023. Prof. Dr. Don Wallace chaired the event, and Prof. Dr. Jonathan Bradley served as the co-chair. Prof. Dr. Negoslav P. Ostojić held the position of the ECPD Executive Director, and Prof. Dr. Roberto Savio was the Conference Director. Prof. Dr. Arthur Dahl served as the General Rapporteur, while Irena Vuksanović fulfilled the duties of Conference Secretary.

Esteemed keynote speakers, including Prof. Dr. Francisco Rojas, Dr. Ouided Bouchamaoui, and Prof. Dr. Oscar Arias Sanchez, among others, shared their insights during the welcoming section.

The initial panel discussion, themed “Economy, Ecology, and Security,” delved into topics such as establishing a new global economic order. It examined the effectiveness of international law versus a rules-based system. The panel also explored the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence on economies and the future, scrutinizing the BRICS Challenges for the Future International Order, particularly concerning the European Union’s stance. Discussions also emphasized sustainability, addressing Balkan Sustainability challenges and prospects, as well as Environment, Sustainability, and Governance practices.

The second panel, titled “Geopolitical Trends,” was moderated by Prof. Dr. Fernando Ayala, Prof. Dr. Reinhard Priebe, and Prof. Dr. Vlado Bučkovski. The panelists discussed a range of topics, including the EU’s 20-year engagement with the Western Balkans, the implications of Brexit after 88 months, and the EU’s Migration Diplomacy. Additionally, the panel considered demographic shifts in Central and Eastern Europe, the geopolitical positioning of Latin America between the USA, the EU, and China, and insights on the formation of a New World Order and the current state of globalization.

After insightful discussions on geopolitical trends, the conference turned its attention to Social Tendencies in the third panel, moderated by Prof. Dr. Roberto Savio, Prof. Dr. Nicolas Maclean, and Prof. Dr. Joseph Haldane. The panel addressed diverse topics such as values for future well-being, the importance of understanding the past to face future challenges, and the crucial role of education and innovation in shaping the future. The POP Movement’s Senior Mentor presented a talk titled “Tomorrow is the First Day of the Rest of Our Lives,” emphasizing the urgency of proactive leadership in environmental challenges and advocating for collective responsibility towards the planet. The panel also discussed the necessity of social trust, the democratization of knowledge through libraries, and the evolving landscape of tourism, underscoring the importance of a unified approach to global challenges.

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