World Science Forum
Encyclopedia
World Science Forum is an international conference series on global science policy. Since 2003, it is being organized biannually in Budapest
, Hungary
.
World Science Forum or 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 heln between 17 and 19 November 2011 in Budapest, it focused on "The changing landscape of science".
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 it in the field of global economic policy.
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 has acquired 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 brand-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 have been discussed by the first World Conference of Science, organised by UNESCO and ICSU, with the participation of over 2000 delegated from 186 countries on 26 June - 1 July 1999 in Budapest, Hungary.
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, 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 József Pálinkás 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
, 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.
, 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.
, 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); 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).
, the executive secretaries are Gergely Böhm and Ádám Kégler.
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
.
World Science Forum or WSF traces back its origin to the first World Conference on Science, organised by UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
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 heln between 17 and 19 November 2011 in Budapest, it focused on "The changing landscape of science".
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
World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum is a Swiss non-profit foundation, based in Cologny, Geneva, best known for its annual meeting in Davos, a mountain resort in Graubünden, in the eastern Alps region of Switzerland....
does it 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 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 has acquired 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 brand-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 have been discussed by the first World Conference of Science, organised by UNESCO and ICSU, with the participation of over 2000 delegated from 186 countries on 26 June - 1 July 1999 in Budapest, Hungary.
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, 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 József Pálinkás 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 SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
The Hungarian Academy of Sciences is the most important and prestigious learned society of Hungary. Its seat is at the bank of the Danube in Budapest.-History:...
, in close partnership with UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
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 HungaryHungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, the Director-General of UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
, the President of ICSU, and the President of the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
. At present, they are Pál Schmitt
Pál Schmitt
Pál Schmitt is the current President of Hungary. He was elected President of Hungary in a 263 to 59 vote in the Parliament of Hungary and was sworn in on 2010....
, Irina Bokova
Irina Bokova
Irina Georgieva Bokova is a Bulgarian politician, incumbent Directors-General of UNESCO. She was member of the Bulgarian Parliament from the Bulgarian Socialist Party for two terms, minister and deputy minister of foreign affairs in the socialist cabinet of Prime Minister Zhan Videnov, and was...
, 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 PálinkásJózsef Pálinkás
József Pálinkás is a Hungarian atomic physicist and politician, who served as Minister of Education between 2001 and 2002...
, 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); 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 GulyasBalazs Gulyas
Balázs Gulyás is a Hungarian neurobiologist.-Personalia:Gulyás is a Hungarian born neurobiologist now working and residing in Sweden. Since 1988, Gulyás has been living in Stockholm, working at the Karolinska Institute...
, the executive secretaries are Gergely Böhm and Ádám Kégler.