The World Conference on Science Literacy 2020 was successfully held on 8 December 2020 in Beijing, with the theme “Improve Public Science Literacy, Promote Global Anti-pandemic Effort”.
The conference is organised by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) and supported by WFEO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the International Science Council (ISC), and The World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries (TWAS).
23 international, national and regional science and technology organisations and experts from around the world joined the conference to talk about how to enhance public science literacy and science in the fight against COVID-19.
Prof. GONG Ke, on behalf of WFEO, addressed at the opening ceremony, saying “On every frontline of combating this deadly pandemic, innovations through science, technology and engineering have played crucial roles.”
“The science literacy of the public, and especially for decision-makers, are of vital importance. Scientists and Engineers are obligated to help to promote science literacy of all. They are responsible to promote public awareness of scientific facts, concepts and process. They are responsible to answer public concerns and answer their questions. And they are accountable for public trust.”
“WFEO would like to join our hands with CAST to promote public knowledge and capabilities in fighting against the pandemic and in coping with the various threats and risks faced by humankind, to transform our world by implementing the UN 17 SDGs, and to build back better from the pandemic.”
WAN Gang, President of CAST, stressed that “The international scientific and technological community should adhere to multilateral exchanges, openness and cooperation, and common development, work together to promote the public literacy of the world, make unremitting efforts to fight the pandemic and promote economic recovery, contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind, achieving the UN SDGs, and building a better world.”
“Science has value only if we know how to find it,” says Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, Assistant Director-General for the Natural Sciences of UNESCO.
HUAI Jinpeng, Chief Executive Secretary of CAST, proposed to uphold the concepts of openness, trust, cooperation, and win-win, and to incorporate the promotion of science literacy into the UN Sustainable Develop Agenda, and promote the implementation of the Global Public Science Literacy Action Plan.
On the plenary, Prof. ZHANG Boli, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), expert in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Prof. Micheal Levitt, Nobel Chemistry Laureate, Madame Hazami Habib CEO of Academy of Sciences Malaysia, Prof. Ehud Menipaz, Chairman of Association of Engineers, Architects and Graduates in Technological Sciences, Israel, delivered keynote speeches on science literacy and science in the fight against the pandemic and contributing to build back better.
For more information:
World Conference on Science Literacy 2020 website
DEC
2020