Humans and Technology: How Will We Communicate and Collaborate in the Future?
On Wednesday, 7 October 2026, the University of Ljubljana’s Biotechnical Faculty will host the 2nd National Conference on Competences for the Future: Respectful Communication and Intergenerational Cooperation for Smart Specialisation and Good Governance.
The conference will bring together representatives of universities, public institutions, businesses and non-governmental organisations, as well as students. It will focus on the competences required in an era of rapid technological development to ensure effective cooperation, responsible governance and respectful public and interpersonal dialogue.
The plenary presentations will address compassionate language among young people, the impact of technology on public discourse, the potential role of artificial intelligence in shaping future communication, and the responsible management of natural resources.
During the round-table discussion entitled Humans and Technology: New Personal and Social Relationships, university teachers, researchers and students will discuss how technology is changing our relationships, ways of collaborating and understanding of responsibility.
The conference will conclude with two parallel workshops on respectful communication. The first will explore relationships between students and higher education teachers and staff, while the second will focus on cooperation between younger and older colleagues.
The event is organised by the University of Ljubljana’s Biotechnical Faculty, School of Economics and Business and Faculty of Active Wisdom, the Institute for the Development of an Inclusive Society, and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation.
Date: 7 October 2026, from 15:45 to 19:15
Venue: University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Jamnikarjeva ulica 101, Ljubljana
External link to Registration Open in new window
Programme
15:45–16:00 | Registration and welcome
16:00–16:10 | Opening address
Prof. Dr Mojca Golobič, Dean of the University of Ljubljana’s Biotechnical Faculty
Plenary session
16:10–16:30 | Compassionate Language among Young People
Miha Horvat, Deputy Human Rights Ombudsman (Human Rights Ombudsman)
16:30–16:50 | The Impact of Technology on Public Discourse – Could Artificial Intelligence Be the Solution?
Denis Oštir, Director of Global Communications at V
16:50–17:10 | Responsible Management of Natural Resources
Prof. Dr Luka Juvančič, University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty
17:10–17:20 | Refreshment break
Round-table discussion and public debate
17:20–18:30 | Humans and Technology: New Personal and Social Relationships
The round-table discussion will be moderated by two students.
Participants:
Prof. Dr Jernej Jakše, University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty Prof. Dr Nataša Štajner, University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty a student representative of the University of Ljubljana’s Biotechnical Faculty a student representative of the University of Ljubljana’s School of Economics and Business a student representative of the University of Ljubljana’s Faculty of Active Wisdom Assist. Prof. Dr Luka Tomat, University of Ljubljana, School of Economics and Business
Parallel workshops: Respectful Communication
18:30–19:15 | Workshop 1: Students and Higher Education Teachers and Staff
Workshop facilitators:
Prof. Dr Helena Grčman Lidija Zajec, MA
18:30–19:15 | Workshop 2: Younger and Older Colleagues
Workshop facilitators:
Dr Damjana Pondelek, Director of Urednica Prof. Dr Adriana Rejc Buhovac
The workshops will follow a protocol developed by Dr Damjana Pondelek.
19:15 | Closing Remarks, followed by a reception
Bećir Kečanović, MA, Institute for the Development of an Inclusive Society
The conference will be hosted by Suzana Perman, head of communications at the University of Ljubljana’s Biotechnical Faculty.