70th (2026) Annual Meeting of the International Society for the Systems Sciences, Cyprus
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Conference Title
Elevating Systems Science to Address Humanity’s Greatest Challenges
Advancing Real-World Applications; Converging on General Systems Science; Harnessing the Power of AI
Auspices
The conference has been placed under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency (Jan - Jun 2026) of the Council of the European Union.
Justification of the Theme and Content
The 70th Anniversary (Platinum) Conference of the International Society for the Systems Sciences (ISSS) marks a pivotal moment—not just for the society, but for the world.
Building on the 2025 conference’s emphasis on internal collaboration and unity within the systems sciences community, the 2026 gathering sets its sights outward. It is time for systems science to engage more visibly and meaningfully with the world’s most influential institutions: the United Nations, European Union, World Bank, OECD, IMF, African Union, national governments, major universities, and civil society at large.
Today’s global challenges (e.g., democratic erosion, rising inequality, climate crises, pandemics, and AI disruption) demand more than fragmented expertise or short-term solutions. They call for holistic, integrated, and adaptive thinking rooted in systems science. Yet while the need has never been greater, the discipline itself faces fragmentation and marginalization. Almost all academic systems science departments have closed, and many academics and practitioners remain scattered across fields, departments, and sectors.
This conference calls on systems thinkers (scientists, practitioners, educators, and decision-makers) to close this gap. We must reinvigorate our field by aligning our diverse theories and methodologies into a coherent general systems science and demonstrating its practical value on the global stage. Systems science principles and practices offer powerful tools for addressing contemporary issues, such as enhancing governance, resolving conflicts, promoting peace, and reforming education, healthcare, financial institutions, local authorities, and many other areas.
Importantly, the 2026 conference will spotlight both the promise and peril of artificial intelligence. AI can amplify systemic insight, support anticipatory governance, and help coordinate solutions at scale. But without ethical and systemic oversight, it also risks deepening inequities, automating harm, and eroding human agency. We must therefore explore how systems science can serve as a compass in navigating AI’s uncertain terrain.
ISSS’s Platinum Conference is a call to action to elevate systems science and cybernetics from a niche academic pursuit to a central pillar of planetary stewardship. We invite you to join us in shaping this transition, spanning disciplines, sectors, institutions, and generations.
Let us move from theory to action, and from siloed expertise to systemic solutions.
Dates
| Title | Dates | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ISSS Summer School The 2026 Summer School of the International Society for the Systems Sciences (Pyla, Cyprus) |
Jun 17-19, 2026 | Introduction to Systems Science & Cybernetics Newcomers to learn about systems theory (to-be-offered by senior ISSS people who would agree to arrive earlier) |
| International SDD Conference The 2026 Intern SDD Conf is co-organized with the Global Agoras |
Jun 17-19, 2026 | Analogous to the 2015 Training of SDD Facilitators. |
| 70th ISSS Conference | Jun 22-26, 2026 | Formal ISSS Conference |
| Reimagining our World Systemically From Problematique to Purposeful Action |
Jun 29 & 30, 2026 | Systemic Pathways for a Thriving World - A Dialogue for the 21st Century. Building on the legacy of the Club of Rome and its seminal Problematique, this international symposium convenes political leaders and systems scientists (paired in dialogue) to confront today’s most urgent global challenges. |
Location
University of Central Lancashire, Cyprus (UCLan Cyprus)
https://www.uclancyprus.ac.cy/
Pyla, Larnaca, Cyprus
Accommodation
Up to 100 participants can stay in UCLANcy dormitories.
Prices*:
- Single Occupancy Room €60
- Double Occupancy Room: €80
- Triple Occupancy Room: €100
These rooms will be available starting from June 15th, 2026.
- Reservations are first-come-first-served along with conference registration. Individuals from third-world countries may apply for a sponsored accommodation.
The UCLAN Cyprus dormitories are located within the campus area (i.e. walking distance to the main campus building). One can find more information about the accommodation facilities at:
https://www.uclancyprus.ac.cy/discover/the-campus/student-accommodation/.
The organizers can also assist participants get some better rates for the hotels closer to the campus (2-5km), for the attendees who prefer this option, and also can assist with the booking of bus service for the transfer of the attendees to/from their hotel.
Rooms will be available at discounted prices at:
- Lordos Hotel
- Sandy Beach Hotel
- Golden Bay Hotel
- Radisson Beach Hotel
- Radisson Blue Hotel
- Lebay Hotel
Please keep in mind that because Cyprus presides the EU council between January and June 2026, most hotels will be overbooked, so make your registration as early as possible to ensure availability and best price.
Local Transportation
Conference participants can take advantage of special rates with local services, including:
- Karatzias Taxi Company: https://karatzias.com
- Michael +357 99 404103
Information about buses
- https://intercity-buses.com/en/
- https://www.publictransport.com.cy/routes/page/routes-and-timetables
Cyprus has no UBER.
Pame is the mobility app for Cyprus that integrates all public transportation available on the island in one place.
From Larnaca Airport to Pyla by Taxi
Cost is around €30.
From Larnaca Airport to Pyla by Bus
The best way to get from Larnaca airport to Pýla without a car is by bus line 424 or 432, which take a bit more than 1 h (from the airport)and costs ca €6 and depart every 30 minutes. Alternatively, if you have time to spare, you can first take a bus to Larnaca city, spend some time there and then take a bus to Pyla.
The bus 424 route specifically connects Larnaca to the UCLan Cyprus campus, including the student residences.
https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Larnaca-Airport-LCA/Pýla#r/Line-432-bus-line-424-bus
Please request the price list for the cost of taxi or mini buses to and from various destinations from service providers.
Registrations
Early bird registration will begin Aug 2025, but we encourage you to contact the organizers and inform them regarding your plans.
Visa requirements
Visitors who might require a visa are encouraged to apply early. The organizers can provide a letter of invitation.
Coffee Breaks and Lunch Buffets
Generous coffee breaks include local pastries.
All lunch breaks during the conference will take place in the university’s restaurant/cafeteria.
The cost for the coffee and lunch breaks is included in the conference fee.
Early morning Events/Meetings
The conference facility is located a few Km from the major sea-side near-by hotels, and only ca 1000 meters from the beach. In line with ISSS tradition, those wishing to plan early morning gatherings are encouraged to organize them at the beach. If needed, small buses can be arranged to transport participants to and from the beach.
Dinners and Cultural Events
The organizers will plan various cultural events and group trips and dinners.
One late afternoon/evening there will be a beach party.
The night before the last, there will be the forma; dinner in a nearby hotel’s garden by the beach.
The dinner will be concluded with a music event and dancing.
Structure of a typical Day of Conference
Almost all days will follow a very similar structure in terms of organization. The conference will start every day at 9.00 am and formally finish at 16.00 pm. Each day will begin with a session called “5 min of fame”. Selected participants will be invited to make inspiring, thoughtful, rich presentations about themselves and their work in exactly 4 minutes. One minute is for introduction and transition to the next speaker. Six people will present each day. The conference chair will present the program of the day and announce the names of two ISSS Members who will be honored on that day. Only their names will be announced and participants will be encouraged to talk and interact with them during the day. The actual honoring and presentation of an Award will be conducted just before Dinner.
The time between 9.30 and 12.00 will be used for workshop-type sessions on specific issues.
One or two parallel sessions will be organized to satisfy the needs of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) who might not be willing to organize their work in the form of interactive workshops.
11.00-11.20 Coffee Break
12.00-12.15 Short Stretching Break
12.15-13.00 One keynote lecture each day
13.00-14.00 Lunch
14.00-16.00 Workshops and parallel sessions
16.00 Concluding session and announcements of evening plans
17.00 Optional participation in events
