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Digital world of work – Industry 4.0

From September 8th to 10th, 2017, a seminar on "Digital world of work – Industry 4.0" took place in Velehrad, Czech Republic, organized by the KAP (Hnutí "–Industrie a práce") with the support of the EZA and the European Union. The seminar was part of the EZA project coordination on the topic "Impact of the digital world of work on the lives of workers and their families - socio-ethical considerations". 100 representatives of workers' organisations from Poland, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Italy, Albania and the Czech Republic took part in the seminar.

The aim of the seminar was to discuss the urgent challenges facing society in a national, European and global context with regard to the concept of "Industry 4.0". Even if the public in the Czech Republic is not prepared for this, both the lifestyle and attitudes to it will change. Therefore, a rethinking of the application of new processes is necessary. Not only the opportunities of the digital era were emphasised, but also the potential threats arising from them, particularly in the social sphere, where particular effects on the labour market, unemployment, re-qualification and in terms of the prevention of social tensions are to be expected.

The seminar was also enriched by the fact that the discussed problems could be compared with experiences from different European countries. As the contributions from Albania, Poland, Slovakia, Italy and the Czech Republic showed, the problems of industry 4.0 are basically very similar across Europe.

Important aspects of the seminar

Most of the presentations supplemented the given topic with reflections from the position of ecclesial social doctrine, including the papal encyclical Laudato si. They were also enriched by discussions with the participants.  

Results of the seminar

The participants became aware of the complexity of the topic dealt with, as well as the inevitability of finding solutions for corresponding problems due to interdisciplinary cooperation within the framework of Europe and worldwide. In addition to the technical and currently foreseeable social dimensions, ethics, including all ethical dilemmas, must also be addressed. Many digital issues also require solutions in family policy, education and with regard to the increasing complexity of education in the future.

The future of the digital era is a vision for society as a whole, not just for the younger generation. It will be based on cooperation between generations. A big plus of the seminar was the work in three groups, which had been formed according to the age of the participants. The results were then compared in the subsequent final discussion. All groups expressed the opinion that the new technology should serve people for peace and not for the financial enrichment of individuals and groups or for war purposes. It is extremely important to ensure the real security of the new technologies. It was recommended to allow even more room for discussion at the next seminars. The next seminar should focus on the position of the family in the digital era.

The programme also included a panel discussion on the legacy of J. A. Komenský (J. A. Comenius, 1598-1670) and a film about his life and work. The need to preserve national and regional cultural heritage in the digital era was also highlighted.

In order to achieve a "common house" in Europe, it is essential to apply European Christian values, because European society currently lacks the necessary anchoring in terms of value. It is also important to include complex scientific approaches to the study of the future and the commitment of civil society.

The digital era has the potential and the opportunity to form a society in which every human being can live in full dignity. The seminar accepted the challenge that everyone should actively influence the events in society through their personal example in their sphere of activity.

The informal discussions during the breaks, the information material available, documentation from previous seminars, books, magazines and pin boards were also important.

The participants accepted a declaration. Their conclusions will be passed on to national and international organisations.

Declaration

The seminar participants agreed that digitization is a widespread phenomenon in the current working world, which involves certain risks, but at the same time brings new opportunities and chances. There is no doubt that digitisation and robotization will have an increasingly intensive impact in the future not only on employers and employees, but also on their families and the wider environment. There will have to be changes in the education system, which will increasingly have to develop the key competences of those to be educated, above all, the ability to think critically and to solve problems. 

  • The fundamental value to be maintained in the future is to maintain the high level of human relations, based on solidarity and mutual tolerance, where even a properly understood sense of sacrifice will have its place, the willingness to limit one's own amenities for the benefit of others. The basic condition for the positive development of society is to respect ethical principles, to create an environment of peace in which there will be room for the harmonious development of the individual, the family (as a community of man and woman) and society as a whole.
  • The digital era undoubtedly represents a certain simplification of life in many ways. Technical means can contribute to more effective use of leisure time, greater flexibility and faster completion of work. However, the time gained thanks to new technologies must be treated as if it were God's gift. This time saved must not only be devoted to one's own interests and personal gain.
  • The driving force behind technological progress must not be the efforts of employers, especially transnational companies, to make greater profits without respecting workers' rights, without ensuring decent working conditions and without avoiding excessive environmental pollution. Human activity must be regulated in such a way that "the common home" is not destroyed. (Pope Francis, Laudato sí).
  • Finally, the participants conclude that technical and social progress must be used to harmonise interpersonal relations in society so that every human being can live in full human dignity. Each individual should contribute to the dissemination of appropriate moral values by their own example.

The participants call upon all responsible political officials, employee organisations, trade unions, NGOs, associations and other subjects to work for decent living conditions in the coming digital age, to defend ethical principles and to contribute to the harmonisation of interpersonal relations in the sense of ecclesiastical social teachings.