We are pleased to announce that the 2021 edition of Freedom Games is to be held on September 10-12 in the EC1, Lodz. The leading theme of this year’s forum is to be “The New Social Contract”.
Regardless of the pandemic-related situation, we plan to organize the event in a hybrid format – thus combining the traditional conference format with an open online TV format. This approach shall contribute to reaching wider audiences and reinforcing the impact of the forum.
Why “The New Social Contract”?
The challenge for our generation is to disconnect from social media and Netflix, and take up the challenge of preparing for the stage of recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying economic crisis. This is precisely why the eponymous “A New Social Contract” is much needed.
We
have to address the challenge that the pandemic has posed for the
societies around the globe – the failure of the states and
transnational institutions to effectively contain the virus and
coordinate their actions.
We must analyze the cases of those who skillfully made decisions and
what could have guided their decisions
(be it political culture, centralization or decentralization of
decision-making processes, flexibility or a strict risk analysis,
etc.). The trauma of death, lockdown, disruption of normalcy left
societies in a state of constant anxiety and agitation on the one
hand, and apathy on the other.
The
economic consequences that have followed pose another set of
questions: the future of free market hit so strongly by anti-pandemic
regulations, on the future of a wide variety of industries, means of
dealing with limited resources, saving the healthcare systems and
addressing the issue of treating patients who suffer from other
diseases, and finally, on how
to talk about risk and how to calculate it – In the age plagued by
uncertainty.
Meanwhile, the themes such as state-private capital relations, cyberwarfare, climate change, social services, education, the rule of law, energy sector, the position of the United States after the 2020 presidential election, reviving the Polish politics after deep conflict, Eurozone, EU investments – are still of vital importance and require attention. Therefore, when talking about the New Social Contract, a complex and wide-encompassing approach must be adopted.
Once again, Freedom Games shall become an intellectually stimulating cultural event with an educational value. Participants will have a unique opportunity to meet in Lodz and online leading intellectuals, representatives of culture, academia, and public life from around the globe. An ambitious program is to be combined with openness and availability to each and every participant.
Save the date now! More details will follow soon on the 2021.igrzyskawolnosci.pl/en website and on social media of Freedom Games.
See you soon,
The Freedom Games 2021 Team
