Communication and its economic, technological, cultural and ethical repercussions for society are the themes of the third edition of the seminar. The objective is to assess the impact of both traditional and non-traditional means of communication on a constantly changing society: the effects of new technology on social and economic organisation; its influence on the relationship between the public and "insiders", ranging from public administrators to scientists; the changes induced by the "virtual" in systems based on the physical movement of people and messages; and the transformation of an ever more global and "on-line" system of markets.
The development of the information society raises new questions about the relationship between culture and information, between the simple dissemination of data and the creation of an aware and critical approach to information. How can we best exploit new technology in educational systems that seek to reach the greatest number of users of every age group and background? What are the possible risks of the uncontrolled circulation of an increasing quantity of information?
The speed with which data and news are generated and the slower rhythms of learning and developing a systematic body of knowledge prompt a further question: how can we ensure that the standardisation of form and content does not erase the identity of cultures and languages? Or that the progressive specialisation of disciplines and languages does not undermine communication between experts from different fields?
Responses and new questions can emerge from the exchange of views between scientists, economists, intellectuals and politicians. Dialogue between the disciplines is the most fruitful approach to one of the key problems we face at the end of the millennium: how to guarantee access to the information necessary for the public to participate in an informed manner in decisions involving society as a whole.
Communication and Interaction within and between Science and Society
Wednesday 6 December 1995
The relations between science and society are discussed, pointing out that a further widening of the communication gap could be disastrous for the future of mankind and of our globe. A better understanding of the needs of society is required on the scientific side. In the author's mind, there is no value-free science. Research is necessarily goal-oriented, and the goals must make sense. On the other side, for society it is necessary to recognize the importance and the urgency of research in view of our future and to develop a better sense of the natural laws that limit our freedom of action.

Collaboration and interaction in science are crucial for the success of the research. But research goals and research programs are more efficiently formulated in a bottom-up than in a top-down approach. Topical research programs initiated by science politics may cause more harm than benefit both on the national and international level.

The resulting essay has been translated into Italian and published in the book Dall'informazione alla cultura. Dieci Nobel per il futuro. (Marsilio, Venezia 1996).