SYMPOSIUM and ROUND TABLE TOPICS

Since December 2019, the world has been witnessing the global spread and alarming severity of COVID-19 which not only impacted humans, but also affected equally the three aspects of sustainability development: (1) human health and society (2) economy and (3) environmental protection.

The multifaceted crisis that followed highlighted the indispensable role of (1) Science and Technology, (2) Governance and Management and (3) Education and Civil society for the remedy and mitigation of the multiple effects of COVID-19. These three actors are essentially the 3 pillars of FLOGEN Sustainability Framework.

This symposium will address the multidimensional aspects of COVID by bringing together representatives of the above actors to discuss the successes and failures, and to determine the efficient use of experiences gained for immediate recovery and long-term safety.

The topics include but will not be limited to:

1) Science and Technology
- Medicine:

• Origin of coronavirus and cross-species transmissions
• Coronavirus structure and Mechanisms of action
• Immune system interactions and the "cytokine storm"
• Diagnostic strategies and molecular testing technologies
• Vaccine development and testing

- Healthcare Systems:

• Clinical features of COVID and stages of infection
• Preparedness of hospitals against infectious health crisis
• Prevalence of coronavirus in healthcare centers
• Telemedicine and digital technologies
• Risk assessment and management of healthcare workers
• Impact on patient care: COVID and non-COVID patients

2) Governance and Management
- Public health policy and management

• History of pandemics - lessons in health management
• Are social distancing and curfews effective?
• Case investigation and contact tracing
• Preparedness for Infectious hazards/pandemics
• Social isolation and equity in healthcare
• Containment and Mitigation strategies
• Digital epidemiological surveillance and monitoring

- Economy and Laws

• Impact on supply chain networks and globalisation
• Business restrictions and consequences on enterprises
• Blockchain technology and circular economy
• Growth rebounds and recovery; global GDP
• Financial and capital markets
• International Law and pandemics
• Emergency legal responses to pandemics

- Environmental Impact

• Carbon and energy-intensive sectors
• Waste management including medical waste disposal management
• Atmospheric pollution and respiratory diseases
• Impact on demand and supply of agricultural products and natural resources

3) Education
- School closures and transition to digital learning
- Impact on high education institutions and research centers
- Remote learning: equity, quality and student performance
- Future of education post-COVID

A round table discussion open to everyone interested will be organized at a specific date and time during the symposium. It will be a platform for high level representatives from various industries, technologies, and academic disciplines to freely discuss and debate all topics of this symposium, with particular focus on "The coronavirus pandemic's successes and failures" examined from different perspectives.