Symposium
DECADE OF THE MIND (2010-2020) DOM - V
Neurobiology for a better life in the future

Berlin, September 10-12, 2009

Decade of the Mind (2010-2020) DOM - V, in Berlin Germany, will be hosted by the
Transfer Center for Neuroscience and Learning (ZNL, University of Ulm).

At the dawning of the Decade of the Mind (2010 - 2020), possibilities and consequences for a better life in the future will bexplored by a transdisciplinary group of scientists and policy makers. The meeting will be focussed on three topics: Education, Social Policy, and Health. It will be held in the heart of the European Union (EU).

Neuroscience can aid educational and health research, topics central to the interests of the Transfer Center for Neuroscience and Learning (ZNL). Social policy, resting on pillars of trust, fairness and justice, is not only essential for a successful society (and subject to heavy debate because of recent economic events), it is itself subject to intense neurobiological research. A young field of neuroeconomics has emerged from collaborations between experimental neuroeconomists, psychologists and neuroscientists. These topics will be explored at DOM-5, Berlin, September 10-12, 2009.

The Symposium Decade of the Mind 2009 translating Neuroscience into benefits for Education, Social Policy, and Health.

Three Themes:

1. EDUCATION
There is wide agreement that neuroscience can aid educational research and policy. Being involved in this myself to a great deal in the Transfer Center for Neuroscience and Learning (ZNL), which I founded in 2004, I think this area will get us not only a lot of attention, but will also be an area with growing.

2. SOCIAL POLICY (NEUROECONOMICS)
Trust, fairness and justice are not only at the heart of any successful society (and subject to heavy debate because of the recent economic crisis), they are also subject of intense neurobiological research. The young field of neuroeconomics (not to be confused with mere neuromarketing) has emerged from collaborations between experimental economists, psychologists and neuroscientists. And issues such as the three pillars of every functioning society – traditionally the subjects of the humanities – have been addressed by recent elegant empirical research.

3. HEALTH
This point is easiest to see: Progress in our understanding of the brain in the past already has, and to no doubt in the near future will much more, benefit the practice of mental health. At the same time, this issue brings in most controversy, with animal rights people opposing certain kinds of research, with pharmaceutical companies corrupting psychiatrists, with pressure groups from many sides playing their own games inn this field in which a lot of money is involved.

Sponsoring Organizations

ZNL, Ulm, Germany
Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, George Mason University, Washington, DC
Center for Neurotechnology Studies at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies