 | Dear Fellows,
At WAAS@65 last year, we reaffirmed our mission to look beyond fragmented diagnostics and champion integrated frameworks for human welfare. Building on that foundation, our recent annual conference, WAAS@66—Solutions to Global Turbulence: Peace, Prosperity and Freedom—was an outstanding success. Held online from September 8–11, this landmark gathering brought together distinguished thinkers, policymakers, and scientists from across the globe to translate our shared awareness into concrete, practical strategies. Across the vital civilizational themes of Peace, Prosperity, and Freedom, the sessions generated profound insights and actionable pathways designed to navigate today’s compounding crises.
The world currently faces an acute polycrisis: geopolitical fragmentation, accelerating climate disruption, technological upheavals, and institutional distrust. Yet, as our discussions demonstrated, these turbulent transitions also offer historic opportunities for renewal. The creative solutions presented at WAAS@66 affirm that our founding ethos—leadership in thought that leads to action—is more vital now than ever before. From bilateral peacebuilding frameworks and transformative economic models to ethical governance in emerging technologies, the Academy’s work is helping construct the scaffolding for genuine human security.
This issue of the Academy's newsletter reflects that dynamic vitality across our network. You will find reports on transformative initiatives by our fellows and institutional partners, reflections on timeless wisdom for contemporary peace, and forward-looking projects that activate our collective capacity. Thank you for your unwavering dedication, intellectual courage, and collaborative spirit as we strive to shape a more peaceful, just, and regenerative future.
Sincerely,
Garry Jacobs President, WAAS | | WAAS@66 |  |
Solutions to Global Turbulence: Peace, Prosperity and Freedom |
The annual conference of the World Academy of Art and Science, WAAS@66, was held online from September 8-11, 2026 with the theme "Solutions to Global Turbulence: Peace, Prosperity and Freedom." The conference built on the findings from WAAS@65 and other recent activities organized by WAAS and its partners. Its objective is to transform the growing awareness of causes and solutions into practical strategies that can lead to action. The conference was organized across three civilizational themes — Peace, Prosperity, and Freedom. |
| View the Sessions Here |
| Event Reportback |
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Presentation of the Holy Land Confederation Plan |  |
On September 7, 2026, the Global Peace Offensive Center (GPOC) hosted the first in a series of "GPOC Talks" that presented the Holy Land Confederation (HLC) — a comprehensive plan developed bilaterally to enable a sustainable two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. The authors of this plan, Dr. Hiba Husseini and Dr. Yossi Beilin, presented a framework designed to facilitate the negotiations for the end of conflict through a confederal structure. This model will preserve the individual sovereignty of both Israel and Palestine while fostering joint cooperation, and the sharing of natural resources. This landmark initiative, in conformity with the GPOC mandate, leverages innovative frameworks and facilitated dialogue to resolve complex conflicts and build a more peaceful, just world.
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| Watch Here |
| From Our Partners |
| CLUB OF ROME / NOVEMBER 4-6, 2026
No Limits to Hope: Sense-Making For Alternative Futures
This conference, organized by The Club of Rome and the Romanian Association of The Club of Rome, will explore how humanity can bridge the gap between knowledge and action, reimagine education and learning, and build cultural and material conditions for a just and regenerative future. The three-day gathering, hosted by the National Bank of Romania will bring together thinkers from across the world to celebrate the launch of Constellations of Hope and the upcoming centenary of Mircea Maliţa (co-author of No Limits to Learning). The program features panels and keynote addresses on topics including transformative learning, AI and innovation, finance, materials and resources, peace, and a special session for exploring collaborations between national associations and chapters. Learn more ➜
FORCE FOR GOOD / 2026
Strategies For an Era of Abundance: Preparing For Civilisational Transition
A wave of currently proven technologies can level up the world today with an investment boom; a second wave of emerging transformative technologies could create a US$750 trillion economy by 2060. The critical question is whether the world can navigate the current hypercrisis to get there.
Download the report ➜
BRIDGES UNESCO-MOST / MANIFESTO LAUNCH A Time of Great Consequence: A Manifesto for Bridging Knowledge and Action
A new manifesto puts the humanities, culture and lived experience alongside science. The crises of our age require all modes of knowledge and the full agency we can bring to bear for transformative change with meaningful impact. Together with UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES Coalition, Club of Rome and the ASU Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University, the manifesto is endorsed by leading scientists, scholars, writers, policymakers and leaders from government and civil society.
Read the Manifesto ➜
INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION / NEW CLIMATE GUIDE The Parliamentarians' Global Guide to Climate Change and Climate Solutions
The guide will be launched at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye in November, 2026, and was reviewed by WAAS Trustees Amanda Ellis and Phoebe Koundouri, with contributions by several other WAAS Fellows. It provides legislators and policymakers around the world with the latest evidence and tools to understand and respond to the challenges of the climate emergency. Coordinated by the University of Exeter, Arizona State University and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the guide provides an overview of key areas of climate science. Download the guide ➜
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Upcoming Events | |
OCTOBER 15, 2026 / BEIJING, CHINA
Global Existential Risk Governance for Human Survival: Chinese Perspectives on Enhancing Cooperation
Today’s geopolitical turmoil is often interpreted as a consequence of a major transition, from the ‘unipolar moment’ of the 1990s to a new post-hegemonic world with a more multipolar distribution of power. The rise of China is one of the most powerful drivers of the transition. In this panel discussion, the World Academy’s Existential Threats and Risks to All (EXTRA) Chair and WAAS Trustee, Thomas Reuter, China-based fellows of WAAS, and thought leaders from the Centre for China and Globalisation (CCG) will reflect on possible pathways towards a new order that would deliver adequate global risk governance. Political turmoil should not distract from the shared challenges that humanity must address together if we are to avoid catastrophic outcomes in the near future. Learn more ➜
| OCTOBER 25-27, 2026 / ATHENS Dialogues With the Past: Timeless Wisdom for Contemporary Peacebuilding
In a world engulfed by polycrisis — from war and climate disruption to distrust in institutions and the erosion of shared values — this conference invites leaders and citizens alike to reimagine peace for the 21st century through the wisdom of antiquity. Building on recent findings from the World Academy of Art and Science and the European Academy of Sciences & Arts (EASA), it seeks to explore how archaeology, ancient wisdom, and cultural heritage can illuminate pathways toward a sustainable and secure future. The conference is being hosted by WAAS Fellow Ioannis Liritzis and organized by EASA, WAAS and the Hellenic Republic: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The Global Peace Offensive Center, a program of WAAS, will also collaborate. WAAS Fellows receive a 25% discount on the registration fee — use code D4P25 at checkout. Submit your abstract here by 10 October, 2026. Contact Ioannis Liritzis for more information: ioannis.liritzis@euro-acad.eu
Register Here ➜ | |
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WAAS DIGEST | |
Books/Articles/Videos by Members | |
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| Art by Members |
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| Member Activities |
| SEPTEMBER, 2026, GLOBAL
Mariana Bozezan: AQAL Foundation Releases Annual Chart of Worldwide Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Built on the European Commission's JRC/EDGAR 2026 report for the year 2025, the visualization report compresses four dimensions into one diagram — country or region, population, per-capita emissions, and year-over-year change — and answers at a glance which countries emit most, how wide the per-person spread is, and who is rising or falling.
Read more ➜
SEPTEMBER 8, 2026, LONDON
Jo Nurse & Isabella Bunn: Launch of the Commonwealth Creative Industries Alliance
An event at Marlborough House, London, brought together an alliance of Commonwealth organizations that support and enable the arts, culture, film, music and performance, fashion, architecture and museums across 56 countries worldwide. It aims to unite creative organizations and unlock a $2 trillion Commonwealth creative economy. Read more ➜
SEPTEMBER 25, SLOVENIA
Ludvik Toplak: Dialogue Without Borders: Kazakhstan and Alma Mater Europaea Expand Cooperation
WAAS Fellow Ludvik Toplak, Rector of Alma Mater Europaea University, a Fellow of WAAS and Director of the Global Peace Offensive Center, met with the ambassador of Kazakhstan to Slovenia, Altay Abibullayev, to discuss intercivilizational and interreligious dialogue, how to strengthen a culture of peace, and how to expand academic and expert cooperation between Kazakhstan and Slovenia. Read more ➜ |
| Future Opportunities |
| CES in Las Vegas
For the 5th year running, WAAS will return to the world's largest tech event, CES, in Las Vegas from 6-9 January 2027 to promote the WAAS Human Security for All (HS4A) campaign. Fellows wanting to attend on behalf of the HS4A campaign or attend as a guest can contact WAAS General Manager, Grant Schreiber: grant@worldacademy.org. Free access to CES2027 will be arranged. More information on CES can be found here.
Autonomous AI Project
Chair of the WAAS Board, Alberto Zucconi, is developing a biologically inspired AI runtime built from the ground up in Rust. It observes its environment directly, forms internal patterns from experience, and operates without mandatory cloud infrastructure. It will self-destruct if forced by its users to go against people-centred principles, and has wide industrial, medical, scientific and personal applications. To learn more, please contact Alberto Zucconi at alberto.zucconi@iacpedu.org
Youth and Science
WAAS Fellow Daljeet Singh is working with Fudan University, Shanghai, to run a science camp for graduate students and young professionals: “International Youth Training Camp on Future Science and Technology.” The topics include AI, fusion, and space technology. There are a number of partially and fully funded places, especially for global south countries. Other opportunities include the Peace and Security at a Crossroads the 2026 European Student Young Pugwash Conference and the IAEA Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme. Contact Daljeet Singh for further information: dsgahle1771@outlook.com
Submit a Future Opportunity
This new section to our newsletter highlights initiatives still taking shape across the Academy — conferences, projects, and working groups that are forming and open to participation. We invite Fellows to let us know what they are planning, so that emerging work can be connected with the Fellows, partners, and institutions best placed to strengthen it. The aim is to activate the Academy's collective capacity in service of our agenda. Submissions should be framed accordingly rather than as individual announcements. Please send details of your planned activities to grant@worldacademy.org for inclusion in our next newsletter.
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We are keen to hear more about your current work and how we can enhance your engagement with WAAS in a manner that is supportive and complementary. Are there conferences you have attended? Have you recently published a book, published a paper, delivered a keynote, created something new or launched an initiative that aligns with the mission of WAAS? We would be delighted to highlight such contributions in our WAAS newsletter, ensuring they reach fellow members who share your interests.
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