Physics has developed a number of approaches to deal with the physical world, which can be effectively applied to modeling phenomena outside of physics: in sociology, demography, finance etc. . Physics experience teaches how to define order parameters and an abstract space to describe a particular phenomenon, how to use symmetry considerations in order to build a language of a Model and find constants of evolution, to check scaling behavior and cluster decomposition properties, as well as to consider renormalization and dimensional transmutation. Physics -based models can be predictive both qualitatively and quantitavely; they can give dynamics of a phenomena. They constitute an important step towards transformation of many branches of Humanities in Science, in the sense of Natural Sciences.

This Seminar is designed to promote discussion and confrontation of existing models and to examine problem areas, where the absence of adequate models is an obstacle to actions.

Talks and discussions will be organised in the following areas

(A) From Models of Reality to Physics-based Modeling
Introduction of the Seminar, Yuri Novozhilov
Problem areas where modeling requires special attention. Jacques Richardson
(B) Aspects of Physics based Modeling
Coordinators Dmitri Shirkov and Daniel Sternheimer
(C) Modeling in sociology and demography
Coordinators Sergey Kapitza and Nicolai Skvortsov
(D) Modeling in finances and insurance
Coordinators Kirill Ilinski and Eric Taflin

It is understood that discussions will be induced by several talks. The following personalities have agreed to present their views and serve at the Program Committee.
* to be confirmed.

(A)
– Jacques Richardson * (Decision+Communication, Authon la Plaine), former Head, Science and Society Program, UNESCO. He is author of several books in this field, including "Models of Reality", Lomond Publications, 1984, and most recent "War, Science and Terrorism", Frank Cass, 2002.

(B)
– Dmitri Shirkov (JINR, Dubna), member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The Bogoliubov-Shirkov papers on Renormalization were seminal and their books on theoretical physics are classic. The concept of Renormalization surpasses physics and is of philosophical generality. He will present that concept and discuss its wider applicability - Daniel Sternheimer (University of Burgundy, Dijon), editor of "Letters in Mathematical Physics" and a founder of the "International Association of Mathematical Physics". Together with Flato, Lichnerowicz and Fronsdal he pushed forward the notion of "deformation quantization" which started new directions of research and other applications of the concept of deformations as a fundamental physical principle. He will speak on deformations as a way to discover and develop new models and concepts.

(C)
– Sergey Kapitza, physicist , his TV program on science popularisation continues for more then 20 years. He published several books developing his Model of population growth.

– Nicolas Skvortsov*, Dean, Faculty of Sociology and Director, Center for Sociological Research, St.Petersburg State University, will describe advances in modeling of sociological phenomena in St Petersburg.

(D)
— Kirill Ilinski (Chase Manhattan Bank, London), former graduate in Theoretical Physics, Leningrad State University, turned to problems of finance and worked for several years at London University. He developed a Model of non-equilbrium pricing . He published a book "Physics of Finance" (John Wiley & sons, 2001) and accepted a proposal to start a special unit at the Chase Manhattan Bank, London, on non-equilibrium pricing.

– Erik Taflin, professor at EISTI (Ecole International des Sciences du Traitement de l'Information, Paris) and visiting professor at CEREMADE, University of Paris - Dauphine. Was in 1985-2000 Head of the New Technologies Division at Union des Assurances de Paris, then at AXA.

We intend to distribute contributions by these speakers before the Seminar, in order to facilitate interdisciplinary discussions. We have no proposals of talks on problem areas, where adequate models are absent.