August 22-23, 2013
Astana, Kazakhstan

International Conference ‘Global Ethics: Save the Planet Earth’

Keynote Addresses were delivered by

Irena Bokova Director-General UNESCO

Nassir Al-Nasser UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations

Prof. Dr.Wole Soyinka Nigerian writer, 1986 Nobel Laureate in Literature

Prof. Dr. Nasser David Khalili British scholar and entrepreneur, founder of the Khalili Collections, Chairman of the Maimonides Foundation and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador

Dr.AdilAkhmetov Senator of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Personal Representative of the chairperson in Office of the OSCE on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims

Prof. Dr.Candido Mendes Secretary-General of the Academy of Latinity and Dean of the UniversidadeCandido Mendes (Brazil)

Dr. Roman Jashenko chairperson of Kazakhstan National Committee for the UNESCO “Man and Biosphere” Programme

YOUthBe The Solution: Responsible And Ethical Consumerismby Fran E. Wright Programme Director UNESCO Club Vienna

Rapid changes in technology, changes in media, falling prices, and planned obsolescence have resulted in a fast-growing surplus of electronic waste around the globe. An estimated 40 million tons of E-waste are produced each year.Electrical and electronic equipment - including mobile phones and computers -can contain hazardous substances (e.g. heavy metals such as mercury and lead, and endocrine disrupting substances such as brominated flame retardants). Dealing with E-waste, presents a serious environmental and health challenge for many countries, yet also offers a potentially significant opportunity to create green businesses and green jobs. Young adults, as well as being a large and growing consumer market for electronic and electrical goods, are early adopters and key influencers of new technology. They are well placed as ‘agents of change’ to shift the paradigm to responsible and ethical consumer behaviour through the UNESCO Clubs movement and in collaboration with like-minded youth groups.

Read the entire conference paper, here