World Science Forum

Last updated June 17, 2024

The World Science Forum (WSF) is an international conference series on global science policy. Since 2003, it is organised biannually in Budapest, Hungary.

The WSF traces back its origin to the first World Conference on Science, organised by UNESCO and ICSU and held in Budapest in 1999. The first WSF was organised in 2003, followed by the second in 2005 and the third in 2007. The fourth WSF was held from 5 through 7 November 2009 in Budapest, Hungary, focusing on "Knowledge and future". The fifth World Science Forum was held between 17 and 19 November 2011 in Budapest, it focused on "The changing landscape of science".^[1] The fifth World Science forum is held between 20 and 23 November on the topic of "Ethics and Responsibility".

The World Science Forum aims at being the "Davos of Science" and achieving the same global strategic impact on science and science policy as the World Economic Forum does in the field of global economic policy.

Origin, vision and mission

By the end of the 20th century, science and knowledge became essential parts of Mankind's everyday lives. Scientific knowledge is not only the result of Humanity's inherent curiosity and scientific endeavor, it is a powerful means of understanding human nature, society, and the Nature in which humans live. Advance in science is a major contributor to society's socio-economic development, the global welfare of humankind, man's relation to Nature, and the quality of life.

In past centuries the predominant role of science was the production of new knowledge to satisfy the curiosity of the human mind. In recent years, the role of science has undergone changes, as scientific inquiry has increasingly become the motor of development in society. By the end of the 20th century, science had taken on a number of new roles. These novel roles may – and should – contribute in a decisive manner to the daily life of humankind in the 21st century.

In spite of its spectacular development and new opportunities, the science of 21st century faces wavering confidence, unseen dilemmas and new questions. These problems can be solved only if the main procedures and users of knowledge are able to reach common ground for the new roles of knowledge and science in 21st century's global society.

These issues were discussed at the World Conference on Science from 26 June to 1 July 1999 in Budapest, Hungary. The conference was organised by UNESCO and the International Council for Science (ICSU), with the participation of over 2000 delegates from 186 countries.

As a follow-up to the World Conference on Science, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (HAS), in partnership with UNESCO and ICSU, initiated a unique forum series for a much needed genuine debate and hopefully lasting interaction between the scientific community and society. Three members of HAS played a key role in establishing the World Science Forum series: István Láng,^[1] the organiser of the 1999 World Conference of Science; Balázs Gulyás, the founding director of the WSF series; and E. Sylvester Vizi, the then president of HAS. At present the President of World Science Forum is Professor Tamas Freund, President of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

Mission of WSF

– To provide major stakeholders with a global forum for dialogue on science and its role and responsibility in the 21st century.

– To better understand and promote the need for science and scientific advice in political and economic decision-making.

– To exchange views and ideas on how to communicate science and its basic values to the society at large and to the various stakeholder groups.

Organisers

The main organising institution of the WSF is the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, in close partnership with UNESCO and ICSU. The preparatory activities of the Forum are led by a Governing Board, helped by an international Steering Committee.

Patrons

Patrons of the WSF are the President of Hungary, the Director-General of UNESCO, the President of ICSU, and the President of the European Commission. At present, they are Pál Schmitt, Irina Bokova, Yuan Tseh Lee and José Manuel Barroso.

International Steering Committee

The Steering Committee of the WSF consists of internationally renowned scientists and science politicians. Its chair is József Pálinkás, president of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Members of the steering committee include Sir Brian Heap, chairman EASAC; Gretchen Kalonji, assistant director-general for Natural Sciences, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); Yuan-Tseh Lee, president, International Council for Science (ICSU), Nobel Laureate; Alan I. Leshner, chief executive officer, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS); Connie Nshemereirwe, co-chair of the Global Young Academy; Jacob Palis, president, Brazilian Academy of Sciences, president, The Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS); Werner Arber, Nobel Laureate; Ahmed Zewail, director, Physical Biology Center for Ultrafast Science and Technology, Nobel Laureate; Ichiro Kanazawa, president, Science Council of Japan; Sir George Radda, chairman, Biomedical Research Council; Lidia Brito, director, Division for Science Policy and Sustainable Development, Natural Sciences Sector, UNESCO; Deliang Chen, executive director, International Council for Science (ICSU); Vaughan Turekian, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Governing bodies

The chairman of the Governing Board of WSF is József Pálinkás, president of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and president of World Science Forum. The executive director of the WSF is Balazs Gulyas, the executive secretaries are Gergely Böhm and Ádám Kégler.^{[ citation needed ]}

Impact

The conference has been called an important element in the dialogue between scienctists and policy makers.^[2] It has also been described as an important event for Budapest.^[3]

Related Research Articles

The International Council for Science was an international non-governmental organization devoted to international cooperation in the advancement of science. Its members were national scientific bodies and international scientific unions.

Diversitas was an international research programme aiming at integrating biodiversity science for human well-being. In December 2014 its work was transferred to the programme called Future Earth, which was sponsored by the Science and Technology Alliance for Global Sustainability, comprising the International Council for Science (ICSU), the International Social Science Council (ISSC), the Belmont Forum of funding agencies, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations University (UNU) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Ferenc Mádl was a Hungarian legal scholar, professor, and politician, who served as President of Hungary, between 4 August 2000 and 5 August 2005. Prior to that he had been minister without portfolio between 1990 and 1993 then Minister of Education between 1993 and 1994 in the conservative cabinets of József Antall and Péter Boross.

The World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) is an international programme that helps to coordinate global climate research. The WCRP was established in 1980, under the joint sponsorship of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the International Council for Science (ICSU), and has also been sponsored by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO since 1993.

The International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS) is a non-profit organization and non-governmental organization, founded in 1919, that promotes the biological sciences internationally. As a scientific umbrella organization it was a founding member of the International Council for Science (ICSU).

Corvinus University of Budapest is a private research university in Budapest, Hungary. The university currently has an enrolment of approximately 9,600 students, with a primary focus on business administration, economics, and social sciences, operating in Budapest and Székesfehérvár since 1948. Corvinus University accepts students at six faculties and offer courses leading to degrees at the bachelor, master and doctoral level in specialisations taught in Hungarian, English, French or German.

Pázmány Péter Catholic University (PPCU) is a private university in and near Budapest, Hungary, belonging to the Catholic Church and recognized by the state. While PPCU takes its name after an institution founded in 1635, it forms a modern, split-off limb from one of Hungary's oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher education, that has expanded further in the second half of the 20th century.

Ekmeleddin Mehmet İhsanoğlu is a Turkish chemistry and science history professor, academician, diplomat and politician who was Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) from 2004 to 2014. He is also an author and editor of academic journals and advocate of intercultural dialogue.

Federico Mayor Zaragoza is a Spanish scientist, scholar, politician, diplomat, and poet. He served as the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) from 1987 to 1999. After his tenure as Director-General, he continued to participate in various peace-related organizations, such as the Foundation for a Culture of Peace and the International Decade for the Promotion of a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World, as a member of their honorary boards. Additionally, he serves as the honorary chairman of the Académie de la Paix.

The International Social Science Council (ISSC) was an international non-governmental organization promoting the social sciences, including the economic and behavioural sciences. Founded in 1952, the organization was based out of UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France.

The International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) is the global scientific organization and voice for food science and technology representing more than 300,000 food scientists, engineers and technologists through its work in more than 100 countries. It is a voluntary, non-profit association of national food science organizations. IUFoST is the only elected scientific representative of Food Science and Technology in the International Science Council (ISC), elected by its peers across scientific disciplines. It is the only global representative of food science and technology to notable organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, United Nations Development Programme and (UNDP), CODEX Alimentarius.

The World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS), founded in 1960, is an international non-governmental scientific organization and global network of more than 800 scientists, artists, and scholars in more than 90 countries.

The World Association of Young Scientists is a global network of young scientists established in 2004, in partnership with UNESCO and ICSU. It provides a Web 2.0 platform for scientific exchange, thereby linking individuals and existing networks with a regional or disciplinary focus.

Julia Marton-Lefèvre is a French - US environmentalist and academic. She studied history, ecology and environmental planning in the US and in France, and was born in Hungary.

Balázs Gulyás is a Hungarian neurobiologist.

The Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings are annual scientific conferences held in Lindau, Bavaria, Germany, since 1951. Their aim is to bring together Nobel laureates and young scientists to foster scientific exchange between different generations, cultures and disciplines. The meetings assume a unique position amongst international scientific conferences, as from 30 to 65 Nobel laureates attending each edition they are the largest regular congregation of Nobel laureates in the world, apart from the Nobel Prize award ceremony in Stockholm.

Sospeter Mwijarubi Muhongo MP is a Tanzanian geologist and a nominated member of the Tanzanian Parliament.

Tan Sri Zakri bin Abdul Hamid has had a distinguished career in science as a researcher, educator, administrator and diplomat.

The LudovikaUniversity of Public Service is a higher educational institution in Budapest, Hungary. Established in 2012, it is one of the youngest universities in Central and Eastern Europe; however, its faculties as former independent colleges look back much earlier.

Bashiru Aremu is a Nigerian academic and professor of computer science, Information and Communication Technology. He is the vice chancellor of Crown University International Chartered.

References

1 2 "From World Conference to World Forum – a History of World Science Forum". HAS – Hungarian Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 7 May 2013.
↑ Sólyom, László (1 June 2008). "Governing for sustainability". Asia Europe Journal. 6 (2): 187–191. doi:10.1007/s10308-008-0190-2. ISSN 1612-1031. S2CID 154365343.
↑ Berács, József; Clifton, Rita; Davidson, Hugh; Johnston, Yvonne; Lodge, Creenagh; Melissen, Jan; Morgan, Nigel; Norrman, Karl-Erik; Pant, Dipak R; Porritt, Jonathon; Rainisto, Seppo; Wästberg, Olle (1 January 2006). "'How has place branding developed during the year that Place Branding has been in publication?'". Place Branding. 2 (1): 6–17. doi:10.1057/palgrave.pb.5990041. ISSN 1744-070X. S2CID 143887972.

External links

Homepage

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[WSF-HAS-1] 1 2 "From World Conference to World Forum – a History of World Science Forum". HAS – Hungarian Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 7 May 2013.

[2] Sólyom, László (1 June 2008). "Governing for sustainability". Asia Europe Journal. 6 (2): 187–191. doi:10.1007/s10308-008-0190-2. ISSN 1612-1031. S2CID 154365343.

[3] Berács, József; Clifton, Rita; Davidson, Hugh; Johnston, Yvonne; Lodge, Creenagh; Melissen, Jan; Morgan, Nigel; Norrman, Karl-Erik; Pant, Dipak R; Porritt, Jonathon; Rainisto, Seppo; Wästberg, Olle (1 January 2006). "'How has place branding developed during the year that Place Branding has been in publication?'". Place Branding. 2 (1): 6–17. doi:10.1057/palgrave.pb.5990041. ISSN 1744-070X. S2CID 143887972.

[1]

[2]

[3]