West-Euro Research Group
Complex Societal Problems & Issues
A department of the Euro Working Group
Complex Societal problems & Issues
Operational Research
Belgium German Dutch Cooperation
Theory and Practice of
Handling Complex Societal Problems & Issues
Board:
Dr. Dorien J. DeTombe, Greenhill & Waterfront Foundation, The Netherlands,Chair
Dr. Cor van Dijkum, Utrecht University The Netherlands
Dr. ir. Bert Enserink, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands
Prof. dr. Franz Liebl, University of Witte/Herdecke Germany
Prof. dr. Heiner Müller-Merbach, University of Kaiserslautern, Germany
Dr. Elmar Stuhler, Munchen University of Technology, Germany
Prof. dr. Jean-Pierre Brans, University of Brussels, Belgium
Research Goals of the West -European Research Group
Handling Complex Societal Problems & Issues
1. Multi-disciplinary theoretical research on combining existing methods for handling of all phases of the problem handling process of complex societal problems
2. Creating new methods and tools to support complex societal problems
3. Testing methods and tools to support complex societal problems
4. Using existing methods and tools to support real life complex societal problems
5. Handling real life problems in order to improve the methodological knowledge
Methodology for Handling Complex Societal Problems & Issues
Handling complex societal problems needs a special approach. Handling societal problems in an interdisciplinary way has become a must for our society and a challenge for the human sciences. The problems society is confronted with are difficult to handle. There is a growing gap between the complexity of these problems and the human capacity to deal with them. There is a need for better methods and tools, more knowledge and imagination. Scientific knowledge is needed to survive amidst these problems.
Therefore methodology for analyzing complex societal problems has become a new field of scientific attention. Some of the scientific reasons for this special approach are that the problems are seldom defined, change during their development, many actors are involved often with a different view on the problem, with different interest and with different ‘solutions’ in mind. Societal reasons for this special approach is the importance of these problems for society, the impact they have on many people, and the large amount of money involved. Combining the effort of scientists who are working in this field is an inspiring serious challenge from the perspective of a number of disciplines. To combine existing knowledge and creating new insights with methods and tools for supporting complex societal problems is a challenge for scientists from different fields.
Together with the Dutch Nosmo Research Group on Methodology for Handling Complex Societal Problems, the Euro Working Group 21 on Methodology for Handling Complex Societal Problems, and the International Society on Methodology for Handling Complex Societal Problems, the goal of the West-Euro group 21 on Methodology for Handling Complex Societal Problems is to increase and to combine the available scientifical knowledge regarding the handling of complex societal problems. Means to reach this goal are organizing workshops and conferences, publishing proceedings and books in which the discussion on this subject can take place.
Keywords: Methodology; Handling Societal Problems, Complex Problems
Special Sessions and Conferences Organized by the Euro Working Group on topic of Methodology for Handling Complex Societal Problems: In cooperation with the International Society of Methodology for Handling Complex Societal Problems, the West-European Research Group of Handling Complex Societal Problems and the Dutch NOSMO research group on Methodology for Handling Complex Societal Problems:
EURO the Association of European Operational Research Societies http://www.euro-online.org
direct see Euro Working Group Complex Societal Probelms & Issues
Contact address:
Dr. Dorien J. DeTombe, President
Chair International - , Euro - , West-Euro- & Dutch Operational Research Research Group Complex Societal Problems & Issues P.O. Box. 3286, 1001 AB Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Europe Tel: +31 20 6927526 E-Mail: DeTombe@lri.jur.uva.nl
http://www.geocities.com/doriendetombe
©Dorien J. DeTombe, All rights reserved, update November 2005