The world has changed.

It has changed a lot in fact, and at quite a fast pace. Advancements in science, advancements in medicine, in politics and in many other aspects of society mean that today, we live in a world that would have been unimaginable not two centuries ago. As a result, our collective contemporary lifestyle is vastly different than at any previous point in history. But so, are the issues that arise as a result of this contemporary lifestyle.

The majority of people today can expect to live to see old age thanks to modern medicine. The average person today will most likely live in a city thanks to urbanization. As well, both men and women today can expect to work, and vote. They can forecast that their children will go to school, and more are the probabilities to live long and experience their adulthood.

In many countries around the world today the people expect both peace and freedom from oppression. They expect some form of democracy, as well as the rights to say and worship as they please. They expect access to decent healthcare and economic mobility. They also await a government that will work in order to advance the interests of its people.

These are no longer the luxuries afforded only by the most elite members of a society. These are all tremendous improvements, and there are many more which can be considered. Such things include the ease of international trade and travel, the longstanding peace of Europe, and greater social inclusion of racial, religious and sexual minorities. But it would be intellectually dishonest to say that the world faces fewer problems today than it had previously. In fact, the problems that we face today, as a result of our contemporary lifestyle, are hardly any different than those faced by our ancestors and not fewer.

Today the richest members of society are in many ways richer and more privileged than they have ever been; yet the poorest of poor are just as desolate as they have always been. This means that the gap between the haves and the have not’s is at this time wider than it has ever been. In addition, while in many countries today there may be a common expectation for democracy and representative government, this does not stop wealthy elites from attempting to cheat the system and warp politics to their own selfish interests.
Technology can now harm faster than facilitate contemporary living, again helping the elite to achieve their aims, whether that leads to propaganda. The need for cyber security is crucial to all!

Though our contemporary lifestyle was built through industrialization, to make matters even worse this process is now understood to be the main culprit of climate change. Climate change is the single greatest challenge that we as a collective society must face going into the future. In truth, it has the possibility to undo much of the conveniences of our contemporary lifestyle. If not dealt with in timely manner hundreds of millions of people will be forced to migrate, coastal cities and even entire nations may disappear completely and humanity will be left with less land for development and agricultural production.

The event took place in Athens between 24-27 June 2021.

The exhibition was set in the ground floor of the main building, hosting exhibits from the Major Event Thematic of Urbanism as a way of connecting our pre-event with our main one.

The main structure of the event is a seminar one-day morning and evening panel discussing on the matters of our thematic and subject. The panels will consist of 4 panel speakers in each one from relative thematic, yet within a broader perspective on the matter. For example, on discussing the thematic of mental health and addictions, someone would expect doctors, psychologists, anonymous alcoholics activists and others discussing on the matter. In general, someone can research, collocate facts, analyze, take stand and comment on one’s contemporary way of living.

Someone can examine aspects of contemporary lifestyle such as:
1. BODY SHAME,
2. PUBLICITY,
3. IDOLS,
4. CYBER SECURITY,
5. GYMBLING,
6. DRUGS,
7. ALCOHOLISM,
8. MENTAL HEALTH,
9. SEX,
10. CENSORSHIP,
11. TECHNOLOGY,
12. INDIVIDUALISM,
13. RACISM,
14. PRIVACY,
15. LONELINESS,
16. WORK.

We encouraged any participants to express their views and feel free to take a position over the above subject, while the panel should guide the conversation and debate on those matters. The audience had the opportunity of voicing themselves towards authorities, lobbyists, academicians and other experts.

In approaching the subject matter, we tend to focus on Non-Formal Education and an Interdisciplinary scientific approach, while open public discussion is all, desirable, recommended and encouraged.