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Space law and space technology have changed world order during last 50 years or so. These changes have come rapidly in a short space of time. They will continue to have impact on the future world order. Therefore, mankind is concerned with the future in order to plan life on this planet. Planning for tomorrow has become very important.
At the outset we have praise for NALSAR University for conducting studies for tomorrow. Prof. Balakista Reddy the Director of Centre of Air Law, Space Law has introduced this important subject of future studies through some seminars and international conferences relating to air and space law. I recall that a major part of a seminar in NALSAR University discussed future studies and world order changes by space and aviation law and technology. It maybe mentioned that the United Nations has asked ICJ in Hague to be aware of rapid changes in space law, environmental law affecting world society. Some Hon’ble Judges from ICJ now travel to centers of law where Moot Court is held for space law. 2.Academic Subjects Involved In Future Studies. Future studies were started in the 2oth century by a few scholars like Georg Orwell who lived in India for some time and others like Aldous Huxley, H.G.Wells, Arthur Koestler, etc. Bill Gates wrote in recent period a book called “Road Ahead” in which he suggested that due internet availability, we can work from home. Aldous Huxley predicted in 1930s that world will have impact by population, communism. He was apprehensive that man will lose personal freedom when persons like Hitler, and communist dictators were on the rise in Europe. However, world order and global environment issues have come up urgently in recent times from the UN Declaration on Environment Protection in 1972.The environment studies are of highest concern in modern times. Space law has major role for planning and protection of global environments. So we will consider what role space law has in Asia-Pacific Region. Thus future studies are a reflection on major trends in world order relations. Arnold Toynbee called these trends as master human activities for the civilization. From India we can cite Rabindranath Tagore who had a vision for future. He told Einstein he was trying in his studies to explore universal human consciousness for world peace. There are attempts in India to emulate Tagore for multi-culturalism,human concern and compassion. Truth will shine, is the national symbol of India. Satyam Ava Jayate is being taken up for promoting humanism and love. Mahatma Gandhi’s values of love and non-violence are being popularized world over. Thus future studies are of great value to mankind s we can find our road as Bill Gates says. Gates is engaged in removing poverty and Aids in the world. He has spent time and money for population control in Bihar, Orissa etc. He is a modern sadhu, angel, for service of humankind. And he is a futurologist of a very high order. 3. Some Academic References for Space Law and Future Studies. Briefly speaking, future studies are like Meta studies in which many disciplines are involved. These subjects can be the study of world history(especially works of historian Prof. Arnold Toynbee), international economics, study of environments especially the UN Declaration on Global Environment Protection 1972 with all subsequent Declarations, the study of Outer Space Treaty 1967 and all other treaties and UN Declarations on space activities, India Planning Commission Reports, books and reports from eminent NGOs on future of global environment including works done in India by CSE under Ms Sunita Narain, Reports of Proceedings of International Astronautical Association, Paris, books on science philosophy like Prof. G.Holton the author from Harvard University on the title “Thematic Origins of Scientific Thoughts: Kepler to Einstein”, bibliography in some space law books(I suggest bibliography from my book on Enviroment Protection: Role of Space Law, Air Law 2009.It has a Foreword by Prof. Yashpal, Chancellor JNU, former Chairman ISRO. The Annual Reports from ISRO/Space Department will be useful for space applications. The International Institute of Space Law Leiden University has held Annual Conferences for last 30 years or soo. The Proceedings will be useful for the study involving international cooperation and space law and space sciences. The Report of UNISPACE III Conference held in Vienna in 1999 under Prof. U. R. Rao is very useful. A few hundred global scholars were involved in this space conference. The Report can be helpful for sustainable development planning.States in Asia Pacific and other countries can learn the benefits of cooperation, also keeping in view their level of technological development. Prof. Rao has helped establish in India some new universities on science.He has encouraged NALSAR University develop as a centre for space law studies. He currently looks after the works of UN Committee on Outer Space-COOSPAR.The title of UNISPACE III Report is inspiring:”Space Benefits for Humanity in the Twenty-First Century.” this Report should be read with great interest by all students in NALSAR University. It has created global understanding for cooperation between states and scholars to save our planet and remove global poverty. ISRO has provided expert knowledge to students at NALSAR University. Mr K.R. Sridhra Murti former Chairman Antrix Corporation along with Prof. Balakista Reddy has helped research works of some students who worked on various space law issues. Shri Murti is currently Adjunct Faculty member Centre for Advance Studies, Bangalore. An interchange between NALSAR and the Centre for Higher Studies in Bangalore shall be useful for space law studies. Lastly it maybe pointed out that students working on future studies have to find own way to deal with issues. What is needed is imagination and a constant thirst for interdisciplinary studies. Space law has produced new frontiers of knowledge. Speaking in UNGA in the early stage of space exploration, Mr. V.K. Krishna Menon expressed India’s desire that new knowledge obtained by space exploration should be shared by all states. This idea was accepted in the Space Treaty of 1967. In the current phase of history, poet Rabindranath Tagore is remembered by many global scholars. In an interdependent global society, Tagore says, knowledge should be accepted from all sides. His book titled “Creative Unity” is of general interest. The book seeks unity in diversity of world order. This book should help promote cooperation in Asia-Pacific Region. Economic cooperation in recent period between India and Bangla Desh and with other neighboring countries shows that a new world order is in the making, based on mutual cooperation and trust between nations. 4. Some Issues for Cooperation in Asia-Pacific Region & Role of Space Law Sustainable Development. Space exploration and space law can help sustainable development in Asia-Pacific Region. Space remote sensing can identify natural resources which can be developed by mutual consent of states. Trade across borders can be improved with better information system. Special economic zones can be created to increase special industries. Water resources can be better utilized by cooperation between states.Floods can be monitored and controlled. The resources over high seas can be exploited after space monitoring.A better plan can be prepared for conservation of resources of the seas. Piracy and terrorist activity can be controlled with joint action by states.Forests can be developed and green global areas increased.Potential for new fuels like hydro-electric power, solar and wind power can be increased. Foof industry tends to gain a lot by cooperation and monitoring between states. Agricultural scientists can develop new crops and horticulture by monitoring from space and helping space industries.Therefore, sustainable development is a big agenda for cooperation between states in Asia-Pacific region. Direct Broadcast Satellites For Education, Common Culture, and Sports Activities. Space law can do wonders by creating harmony and friendship by direct broadcast satellites. National propaganda for political purposes will be a past practice. Instead, efforts by satellites will be to develop mutual understanding and a multi-cultural world society. Prof. Amartya Sen the Noble Laureate economist speaks of a global multi-centralism that has evolved due globalization of world society. Progress of India, Prof. Sen says is because India has established a multi-cultural national socity where various cultures provide economic value products. Asia Pacific region will be world’s largest area for economic growth. Unlike EU that consists of 17-countries democratic union, Asia-Pacific is a group of independent states bound together by economic and social ties. The states are free to choose other states from other geographic regions for cooperation. They have own currency, unlike Euro in EU. Sports is a new field for entertainment and international understanding. The IPL cricket with all criticism is popular and makes millions join together in fun and relaxation. Space technology and space law is making all mankind happy and joyful. The Making Of A New Planet Earth By New Lifestyle, New Knowledge From Space Exploration. We may summarize here to say that we are already living in the future world that we didn’t plan as much. During last few decades this planet has changed in its structure. There are 7.2 billion people on this earth compared to 2 billion in 1950 or so. The number is likely to stabilize at 10 billion or so by 2050. In a hundred years we are adding 8 billion more. India has about 1.2 billion population, about 14 per cent of global number, but with only 2 per cent of land. Hence pressure on land is much more in India. Prof. Iliya Prigogine the Noble Laureate scientist says in his book “Order Out of Chaos: Man’s New Dialogue With Nature’1984,that due population increase, man needs a new dialogue with nature. Therefore, we need to design this new design for adjustment with nature. I came to live in New Delhi in 1948 when it had only one thousand cars. Now the city is choked with cars, says Mr. Khuswant Singh in his write-up on 23 May 2012 in Hindustan Times. In 1948,we had tap water for 24 hours and pure to drink from the taps. Now water is regulated for supply. A tiger was shot down in Lodi Colony in 1948 when wildlife was all over south Delhi that had limits upto Yusaf Sarai. This is the story of our planet today. Therefore, adaptation to new lifestyle to environments is needed. Conservation is the need for the resources of planet. The economic growth debate is on in various parts of world. I am an optimist for tomorrow. I like Bill Gates views of small is beautiful. He says we can work from home due internet.He is the one who is giving away his fortunes to help poor, sick for a better world.The second person I feel we need to listen to is Prof.Amrtya Sen for his concern for health and education.In his recent column in New York Times he suggests that EU needs discussions among donors and who get loans. Mere opinion of Bankers or experts in finance cannot help. He is for growth, but he wants social concern for poor. Prof.Paul Krugman from Harvard, also a Noble Laureate Economist, has similar views as Prof. Sen has. We can apply Prof. Sen’s views in India as well. We need discussions with poor. Above all, we are for Gandhiji lifestyle and Panchayat Raj that space internet is helping to implement. The Gandhi Rural Employment can create a new vision and life-style in India,in Asia-Pacific,and in all countries. It can combine all the wisdom of space science and space law. Based on this vision,future studies and space law and science can give our civilization a road for peace and progress. |
“Space Law And Future World Studies”, paper for pre-publication issue of International Conference on Space Law for cooperation in Asia-Pacific Region, NALSAR University, Centre for Air and Space Law, Hyderabad, India on 24 June,2012. Author Prof.Saligram Bhatt. is a former Hony. Prof. of Int. Law, Space Law, JNU, New Delhi. United Nations Consultant/Adviser on air law to Govts in Africa. Commentator to UNISPACE III Conference in Vienna,1999. Legal Specialist and Secretary, National Committee on Environment Planning and Coordination, DST, Govt.of India. Dy DGCA Govt of India Retd.
Views expressed in this article are in personal capacity as a scholar, and do not relate to any institution. |
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