The Academy of Responsible Excellence
Inspired by Excellence & Innovation
Vision & Principles
Acad-Rex – The Academy of Responsible Excellence was founded out of the conviction that in our world, which is increasingly characterized by conflict, speechlessness and social fragmentation, we need a place for interdisciplinary cooperation. Academics must live up to their responsibility – in the fight against fundamentalism and for an open, respectful culture of discussion in all societies.
The Academy is made up of excellent academics and artists from a wide range of disciplines who work together to find solutions to key issues facing humanity. The Academy is committed to a historical understanding of a holistic, integrative approach to knowledge, as demonstrated by Aristotle, Albertus Magnus, Thomas Aquinas, Meister Eckhardt, Mohammed ibn Ruschd (Averroes), Moses Maimonides, Immanuel Kant and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. In line with Alexander von Humboldt’s understanding of the image, Acad-Rex pursues the dual movement of „confronting“ and „thinking together“ – with the aim of enabling people in today’s increasingly divergent societies and social systems to see themselves as responsible global citizens. In the spirit of Humboldt’s ideal, the aim is to actively address the major challenges of the present and take on global responsibility: for peace, justice, cultural and religious dialog and for a new relationship with nature – in line with Pope Francis‘ encyclical „Laudato si“ (1). This also implies seeking dialog with all sides – on the basis of respect, the ability to differentiate and a willingness to talk.
(1) Cf. Francis PP, Encyclical Laudato si‘ on care for the common home (May 24, 2015); and: J. Hofmann, What is the significance of Humboldt’s legacy for our time?, 225th event of the Humboldt-Gesellschaft on 08.01.2010
As a first step, a support committee is to be formed to accompany and strategically support the founding of the academy. The basic principles of Acad-Rex – The Academy of Responsible Excellence are as follows:
- Academy: We work in an interdisciplinary, problem-oriented manner and in close connection with civil society.
- Excellence: Our members are outstanding personalities from science, art and culture, religion, business and politics.
- Responsibility: We place our work at the service of the global common good – for understanding between cultures and religions, for peace and for sustainable development and social progress.
The basis
- lack of a platform: To date, there has been no virtual academy that deals with the complex challenges of our globalized world in a systematic, interdisciplinary and practical manner.
- global perspective: The aim is to actively involve colleagues from regions that are particularly affected by global problems – whether as (co-)creators or those affected.
- cross-generational cooperation: A central concern is to bridge the gap between the academic generations: Experienced members accompany younger colleagues (e.g. assistants, doctoral students) in the context of specific projects. Closer membership requires a willingness to support young academics.
The working method
- topic-centered cooperation: The work of the Academy is based on current challenges of the present, which are always dealt with in an interdisciplinary manner. The results are to be reflected back to society via the media and politics. The Academy makes use of modern virtual communication formats and aims to work on a range of topics at least every six months.
- final events: Depending on financial possibilities, the results are to be presented and discussed in high-class conferences with physical presence.
- open structure, interdisciplinary diversity: Due to its topic-centered and international orientation, the Academy is not divided into classical subject areas, but brings together academics from science, art and culture, religion, business and politics to develop joint projects and to contribute to the work of the Academy.
Membership
- full members are representatives of excellence from all artistic, natural science and humanities disciplines.
- legal members (e.g. institutions) can be admitted without voting rights, provided they share the interdisciplinary concerns.
- fellows are junior researchers who are entitled to actively participate in all meetings but have no voting rights. Two full members vouch for their admission.
- project members are accepted for the duration of individual projects and have full voting rights. The nomination is made by a full member.
Membership fees & financing
– Members pay an annual fee to support the operation of the virtual academy and the financing of a basic secretariat.
– Fellows pay a reduced fee.
– Project Members are exempt from all fees.
– Funding for projects is sought from public funds, foundations or sponsors.
The topics
- Topics are determined by the Executive Board at the beginning of each working year and must relate to current problems. Possible topics for the first year:
(a) Governance of the international order: limits of power politics vs. limits of rule-based order.
- b) Responsibility before creation: energy transformation and resource management in the context of global sustainability.
- c) Rediscovering a culture of debate: How opposites can be seen as an opportunity – not a threat.
- d) Artificial intelligence: AI as an opportunity in an increasingly complex world
- e) Prevention: Healthcare as a shared responsibility for a resilient and healthy society
Stjepan Mesić, (President of Croatia until 2010, active fighter against the fascist occupation during World War II); Prof. Dr. Harley Seyedin, (2017 Oslo Business for Peace Award, Visiting Professor, Jinan University); Prof. DDr. Johannes Huber (Hormone specialist and theologian); Prof. Dr. Huiqun Tian 田卉群 (Professor at the School of Arts and Media, Beijing Normal University, China); Prof. Dr. Dr. Paul M. Zulehner (Sociologist of religion and pastoral theologian); Prof. Dr. Ulrich Blum (ITEL – German Lithium Institute); Prof. Dr. Birgit Harreß, (Vice-President of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, em. Prof. für Slavistik; Universität Leipzig); Msgr. Prof. Dr. Obiora Ike (Ethics and African Studies Godfrey Okoye Catholic University (Nigeria), World Academy of Arts and Science), Executive Director AD Globethics.net (Switzerland); Prof. Dr. Annegret Kuhn (MBA, CHCIO, Dermatology and Venereology, FRG); Prof. Dr. Elmar Kuhn (International President Coalition of Faith based Organizations (USA-EU-PAK), Medical Ethics SUMAS NIG, Religious Science Pestalozzi University US); HR Dr. Dr. h.c. MMag. Christine Mann (President AD CEEC-EU); Prof. DDDr. Wolfgang Mastnak, University of Music (BRD) and Fudan University (P.R. China); Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Mazal, Labor and Social Law University of Vienna; Prof. Dr. Kurt Widhalm (President of the Austrian Academic Institute of Nutritional Medicine)
