Fédération mondiale des travailleurs scientifiques

World Federation of Scientific Workers

96th Meeting of the Executive Council
Beijing&Huzhou - August 11-17, 2024

96th Executive Council Meeting

Beijing & Huzhou

Beijing&Huzhou
August 11-17, 2024

At the invitation of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), affiliated with the World Federation of Scientific Workers (WFSW), the 96th Meeting of the WFSW Executive Council (EC) was held in Beijing and Huzhou from 11 to 17 August 2024.

CAST

Founded in 1958, CAST is the largest non-governmental science and technology organisation in China.

With a network of 210 affiliated associations, including 32 regional or local ones, CAST represents over 120 million professionals, including scientists and engineers, throughout the country. In addition to promoting science and technology, CAST plays a crucial role in policy and legislative development, overseeing research integrity, promoting scientific ethics, and adopting appropriate working methods. Furthermore, it reinforces the commitment to maintain science as a global force at the service of humanity.

CAST also stands out in the field of scientific knowledge dissemination in society, led by the China Research Institute for Science Popularisation, which organises activities such as lectures for young students by renowned researchers as part of the 'Senior Scientists Public Lectures' programme. In addition, its action in the field of science, technology and innovation has contributed significantly to China's economic and social development, evidenced by the rapid increase of the investment in research and development (R&D) and the number of researchers in the country.

CAST's universality is reflected in the 185 affiliated scientific societies, covering a wide range of basic and applied sciences, including agricultural and medical sciences, as well as interdisciplinary fields. CAST plays a central role in China's scientific and technological progress, strengthening the relationship between the scientific community and society.

https://english.cast.org.cn/

The WFSW and its Executive Council

Founded in 1946, the WFSW is an international non-governmental organisation in official partnership with UNESCO. Staying true to its origins, the WFSW provides a forum for debate where scientific workers, regardless of their origin or personal convictions, can freely express their perspectives on issues affecting their activities, considering the specific conditions of their countries or institutions. The Federation promotes co-operation between associations representing scientific workers and within the scientific community in general, with the aim of putting science and technology at the service of the well-being of humanity.

The WFSW EC is responsible for managing the Federation between General Assemblies (GA), which are held every four years. The Council meets regularly to define and implement the Federation's strategic guidelines, assess the progress of ongoing initiatives and discuss new proposals and positions that address the challenges faced by scientific workers in various national and international contexts, particularly with regard to their living and working conditions. It also issues statements on global issues facing human societies, with a particular focus on the War-Peace dilemma as an existential threat.

The proceedings of the 96th Executive Council

The 96th EC meeting featured the usual parallel sessions of the various working groups dedicated to different areas of WFSW action. The sessions were held at the China Hall for S&T in the CAST Headquarters building in Beijing and at the Dongwu New Century Grand Hotel in Huzhou, Zhejiang province. As has become customary, the event included a public symposium, this time integrated into the International Conference on Green Low-Carbon Innovation, inaugurated on August 15 in Huzhou.

Nearly fifty participants from four continents and over ten nationalities took part in the EC proceedings and attended or contributed to the Symposium.

One of the highlights was the inauguration of an exhibition at the National Centre for Science Communication in Beijing, dedicated to the history of cooperation between CAST and the WFSW. This exhibition provides a comprehensive overview of the partnership between the two organisations, from the involvement of Chinese scientists in the founding of the WFSW to the deepened collaboration of today. The initiative aims at preserving the memory of this historic relationship and encouraging even stronger cooperation.

The following summary of the 96th EC highlights the WFSW's ongoing efforts, in collaboration with its affiliated organisations, to promote ethical and responsible science, aligned with the principles of peace, sustainable development, and international cooperation.