At a time of rising wars, geopolitical tensions and rapid technological disruptions, scientists warn that the world urgently needs new forms of international cooperation.
This was discussed by participants in the plenary session of the international scientific conference It’s About People 2026 (It’s About People 2026), taking place at Alma Mater Europaea University in Maribor in cooperation with the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (EASA) and the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS).
In the coming week, the conference will bring together more than 300 researchers from around 40 countries, and the discussions focus on the question of how science, politics, and civil society can jointly respond to the key challenges of the modern world—from wars and democratic crises to artificial intelligence and social change.
Science as a space for dialogue in times of global uncertainty
The Rector of Alma Mater Europaea University, Prof. Dr. Ludvik Toplak, emphasized the special responsibility of academic institutions in times of global crises: “In a period of major global tensions and uncertainty, it is especially valuable to listen to scientific institutions that transcend political divisions and are grounded in knowledge, dialogue, and responsibility to humanity.” In his view, international academic networks such as the European Academy of Sciences and Arts and the World Academy of Art and Science play a key role in shaping thoughtful and long-term responses to global challenges.
The future of Europe and the responsibility of science
The special guest of the plenary session was Prof. Dr. Klaus Mainzer, President of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, who in his lecture highlighted the importance of connecting different scientific fields in shaping Europe’s future. Contemporary challenges—from artificial intelligence to social transformations—require interdisciplinary approaches that bring together the natural sciences, technology, the humanities, and the social sciences.
“In times of global conflicts, scientific academies have a special social and ethical responsibility. People who cooperate in solving humanity’s common problems do not shoot at one another; instead, they seek solutions together for the real challenges of our world,” said Mainzer.
The world in a dangerous period: how to prevent new conflicts
The keynote address of the conference was delivered by Jonathan Granoff, President of the Global Security Institute, a member of the World Academy of Art and Science, and a Senior Advisor at the United Nations Permanent Secretariat of the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates, who analyzed the current geopolitical situation and warned of the dangers of a new era of global instability.
“Every day we endanger the very fabric of life on our fragile, precious planet, even though we have the tools for an age of peace and abundance. Let us gather these tools together and do nothing less than save humanity,” Granoff emphasized.
Global Peace Offensive – an initiative for peace
The conference also presented the Global Peace Offensive initiative, being developed by WAAS, EASA, and Alma Mater Europaea University with the aim of connecting scientists, diplomats, and civil society in preventing conflicts.
The Vice President of the World Academy of Art and Science, Donato Kiniger-Passigli, stressed that building lasting peace is a long-term process: “Peace is a long road; it cannot be created by weapons, nor can it be achieved with a single signature. We must build it by reducing tensions, through dialogue, cooperation, and rebuilding trust among people.”
As peace process researcher Thania Paffenholz also emphasizes: “Peace will not arise merely from agreements—it requires a joint offensive of political courage, social mobilization, and inclusive pathways to peace.”
Democracy under pressure: foreign interference in politics is more complex than it seems
Discussions at the conference also addressed questions of protecting democratic processes in an era of hybrid threats and digital manipulation. British political scientist Michael Pinto-Duschinsky, founding governor of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, warned about the complexity of international political influence. “Connections between sovereign states are so diverse and extensive that it is hard to imagine an end to international interference,” he emphasized. In his view, legislative solutions will also have to be as complex as the channels of influence they seek to limit.
Will artificial intelligence replace doctors?
The conference also raised the question of the future of medicine in the digital age. Dr. Alena Kobesova warned that technological progress must not replace the human essence of medicine: “The true mission of modern medicine is not only prolonging life, but adding life to years. Technology can help us in this, but the human being must remain at the center of healthcare.”
In her opinion, artificial intelligence and advanced medical technology bring extraordinary possibilities for diagnosis and treatment, but the doctor’s role remains crucial. “The most important diagnostic tools remain the doctor’s hands, eyes, and understanding of the whole patient. Technology should confirm a thorough examination, not replace it,” she said.
Maribor as an international hub of scientific dialogue
The It’s About People 2026 conference continues with a series of thematic panels addressing artificial intelligence, healthcare, youth mental health, the digital society, and the challenges of an aging population.
Cooperation between the European Academy of Sciences and Arts and the World Academy of Art and Science gives the conference a distinctly international dimension and opens space for broader academic dialogue on the future of peace, democracy, and human-centered development.
Thus, for a week Maribor is becoming one of the important international venues for discussions on the future of global cooperation and responsible development.
