WORLD SCIENCE DAY FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT

Budapest, Hungary – 10 November 2007

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“Investing in Knowledge: Investing in the Future”: focus of World Science Forum in Budapest

Paris, 6 November - How can we make sure scientific knowlledge continues to drive development in our societies? How can the need to invest in the sciences be brought to the attention of governments? What measures must be taken to give new generations of scientists the means to face future challenges? These are some of the questions that will be raised during the World Science Forum held from 8 to 10 November in Budapest (Hungary), around the theme of “Investing in Knowledge: Investing in the Future”. Organized by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in cooperation with UNESCO and the International Council for Science (ICSU), the Forum coincides with World Science Day for Peace and Development, celebrated every 10 November at the instigation of UNESCO.

On the eve of the Forum’s opening, Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, noted with satisfaction that the question “how to pursue the development of scientific research in a context of greater sustainability for humanity” was central to the international meeting’s debate. He reaffirmed the “crucial” role of the sciences in UNESCO’s programmes, declaring, “Without the S of Science, UNESCO would not be able to carry out its full mandate.” “More than ever,” he continued, “science, indispensable for the prosperity of a society, has a major part to play in promoting sustainable development and ensuring the future of the next generations. UNESCO must see to it that this imperative takes the form of concrete and effective policies.”

The Forum will be inaugurated officially by László Sólyom, President of the Republic of Hungary. Four heads of state will attend the opening: Stjepan Mesic, President of the Republic of Croatia; Horst Köhler, President of the Federal Republic of Germany; Heinz Fischer, Federal President of the Republic of Austria; and Karolos Papoulias, President of the Hellenic Republic. Other speakers include, notably, E. Sylvester Vizi, President of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences; Goverdhan Mehta, President of the ICSU; the representative of José Manuel Durao Barroso, President of the European Commission; and Jacob Palis, President of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS). In all, more than 400 participants ? scientists, researchers, government officiials ? are expected.

During the Forum, Mr Matsuura will present two scientific prizes. The first, the 2007 Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Preservation, will be awarded jointly to the Institute of Biodiversity Conservation (IBC) of Ethiopia and to Dr Julius Oszlányi (Slovakia), Director of the Institute of Landscape Ecology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences.

The second prize, the “Great-Man Made River International Water Prize” for Water Resources in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas, will be awarded jointly to a research team of the Centre for the Sustainability of semi-Arid Hydrology and Riparian Areas (SAHRA) at the University of Arizona, and the Centre for Hydrometeorology and Remote Sensing (CHRS) at the University of California, Irvine.

In addition, the UNESCO report entitled “Science, Technology and Gender” focusing on women’s place in the scientific world will be officially launched during the Forum.

The Hungarian Academy of Sciences, in partnership with UNESCO and the International Council for Science (ICSU), founded the World Science Forum in order to promote dialogue on science’s new roles and the unprecedented challenges it faces. The first Forum in 2003 focused on “Knowledge and Society”; the theme of the second in 2005 was “Knowledge, Ethics and Responsibility”.

For more information: http://www.sciforum.hu/

Author(s): Media Advisory N°2007-75
Source:UNESCOPRESS

In focus

Official Statements