EUROPE OF KNOWLEDGE: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The new theoretical concept of the processes of creating knowledge based society and the knowledge economy in the European Union, as well as sustainable development processes is described in the article.
The main idea of this concept is that the creation and development processes of the knowledge-based society and knowledge economy may be attributed to the category of global transformation and sustainable development processes, therefore, all general phenomena and characteristics of global transformations and sustainable development in general, are absolutely typical for the creation and development of the knowledge based society and knowledge economy.
The processes of the creating of knowledge based society and knowledge economy and modernization are analyzed in the general context of the processes of sustainable development. The main principles of creating the knowledge based society and knowledge economy and modernization are described.
Creating and modernization of the knowledge based society and knowledge economy are very complicated processes, oriented to the formation of the new quality of society and qualitatively new lifestyle. Moreover, these processes may be described as “twice” as complicated, because they win distinction by orientations to the pursuit of new quality in two aspects: - the knowledge based society and knowledge economy, compared to “traditional” society and economy, are in all cases described as qualitatively new,
- creating and development of the knowledge based society and knowledge economy takes place under the conditions of the global changes, which means that qualitative changes take place in all global space, the essence of those changes is the creation and spread of the knowledge-based society and knowledge economy.
A special attention is given to the conclusion that in the environment of the knowledge based society creation and generating knowledge economy and development, the provisions for sustainable development should be attained.

The following general conclusions were made:

- the processes of creating knowledge based society and generating knowledge economy and its further development should be understood as the undivided unity,
- the processes of creating knowledge based society and generating knowledge economy and its further development should be perceived as relevant to all spheres of life – meaning social, economic and political life, culture, advancement of science and technologies, interaction with nature in general and environment in particular,
- the processes of creating knowledge based society and generating knowledge economy and its further development should be comprehended as the ones providing economic preconditions for modernization of the society and refinement of its life in accordance with the standards, norms and values of knowledge based society,
- the processes of creating knowledge based society and knowledge economy and further development should be interpreted as multi-dimensional and extremely complex and uninterrupted process which manifests itself in cyclical changes and leaps towards higher quality standards,
- the complex approach towards knowledge based society and knowledge economy creation and further development should be implemented in all stages of scientific research, studies and practical activities, including the prioritizing various programmes on multi- and cross-disciplinary research and studies, as well as strategic solutions of the complex character in various stages of regional development, planning and designing of economic and technological leaps.
The processes of creating knowledge based society and knowledge economy and further development should be analyzed and assessed in the context of the priorities of sustainable development. By knowledge based society and knowledge economy creation and further development, harmonization should be sought in the following: