International Federation for Systems Research

IFSR Newsletter 2005 Vol. 23 No. 1 December
The First International Congress of the IFSR took place from Nov. 14 – 17, 2005 at the Kobe International Convention Center, Japan.
The preamble of the Call for Papers stated:
A knowledge-based, technology-supported society is the key to solving current problems of mankind. The ability to understand and manage a complex, dynamic knowledge society of the future and the overall systemic framework supporting it is vital. Systems Sciences carry the promise of promoting the creation, management, exchange, integration, and application of knowledge by applying holistic / systemic paradigms and principles. Systems Sciences provide a basis for balancing the divergent needs and interests between individuals and society worldwide, between ecology and economy, between nations of various levels of development and between differing worldviews. They enable us to understand the conflict potential, to search for suitable policies, to harness complexity, and to provide adequate methods and technological tools for their resolution. The guiding themes of this congress are the new directions, challenges and roles for Systems Sciences and their potential beneficial impact on an emerging knowledge society.

It was a very ambitious undertaking: it was the first of its kind and therefore we did not have some established clientele expected to come, the preparation time was rather short and communication was hampered by large time differences (8 hours between Japan and Europe and additional 7 hours between Europe and the USA). But the Congress was an even greater success than was expected.

• It was the first world congress in IFSR’s history.
• The congress was convened in the famous International Convention Center in Kobe
• We had 200 participants from 27 nations; 175 papers; 7 symposia, one workshop and one panel discussion. Around 50 participants came from Europe or the USA, a very impressive percentage.
• The smooth running of the Congress was ensured by a staff of 50 persons, consisting of professional organizers and student help.
• The 175 accepted papers were included in a CD-ROM.
  
• An abstract book of 500 pages contained the extended abstracts.

• Three keynote speeches were given:
  • The first one related to the Third Basic Program for Science and Technology by Mr. Koji Omi, Member of the House of Representatives, former minister of Economic Planning and former minister of Science and Technology. He articulated an understanding of systems principles, and political support for the importance of systems research in Japan.
  • The second keynote was given by Tamito Yoshida, a 74 year old member of the Japan Academy and Professor Emeritus of Tokyo University emphasized the Second Scientific Revolution. He summarized theories from many years of his systems research which paralleled some of the more cutting edge research in Europe today, but which was virtually unknown to most of the non-Japanese participants.
  • The third keynote by Director of Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Professor Leen Hordijk introduced the future role of Environmental Systems Analysis. He stressed the need for long range computer supported theoretical and empirical research on issues and sketched the role of the IIASA in this area.
• The symposia provided a chance for more in-depth presentations and discussions between participants. Since this was the first international systems conference in Japan, it primarily established a foundation of understanding between Japanese and non-Japanese systems professionals, on which more collaboration could now be built.
• The scientific exchanges especially promoted the understanding of the foundations of Systems Science, Systems research in East and West and the new role of Systems Science in the knowledge-based society
• 5 outstanding student papers were selected honouring the next generation of scientists
• 13 Outstanding Contributions Awards for conference leaders and one Outstanding Award for service were handed out for exceptional contributions to the IFSR 2005 Congress
• IFSR 2005 was well advertised and published by many web pages on Internet contributing to the increase of image and vision of the IFSR in the world.
• IFSR 2005 was an excellent example of the IFSR’s role in supporting the development and integration of systems societies throughout the world.
• The example of IFSR 2005 induced the Polish participants to propose to convene the next congress in Poland, showing the attraction IFSR 2005 had to its participants

It was also a wonderful surprise for many people outside of Japan to learn about the depth of research and the breadth of support in systems work taking being provided in Japan.
Jifa Gu
President of the IFSR

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The major events of the IFSR 2005 were:
Symposium-1: Technology Creation Based on Knowledge Science (chair: T. Kobayashi)
Symposium-2: Creation of Agent Based Social Systems Sciences (chair: H. Deguchi)
Symposium-3: Intelligent Information Technology and Applications (chair: H. Nakayama)
Symposium-4: Meta-synthesis and Complex Systems (chair: X. Tang)
Symposium-5: Data/Text Mining from Large Databases (chair: T. Ho)
Symposium-6: Vision of Knowledge Civilization (chair: Andrzej Wierzbicki)
Symposium-7: Foundations of the Systems Sciences (chair: Gary Metcalf)
Workshop: New Roles of Systems Sciences in a Knowledge Society (chair: Matjaz Mulej)
Panel Discussion: New Roles of Systems Science in a Knowledge Society (chair: K. Kijima)
Each Symposium/workshop lasted between 1 and 3 days. Usually four sessions of the Congress were held in parallel.
More pictures from Kobe can be found at
http://www.uni-klu.ac.at/~gossimit/pic/2005/kobe_nl/01.jpg to http://www.uni-klu.ac.at/~gossimit/pic/2005/kobe_nl/10.jpg

Proceedings of the congress (on CD-ROM) can be ordered from JAIST Press at a price of 2000 yen, approx. 20 $.
http://www.jaist.ac.jp/library/jaist-press/eng/info/about.html
or
http://www.jaist.ac.jp/library/jaist-press/eng/catalogue/periodicals.html
IFSR Newsletter 2005 Vol. 23 No. 1 December