Executive Council Sessions
Following the opening ceremony, the first of the 96th EC's four sessions began. Frederico Carvalho, President of OTC, chaired the first session, accompanied by Sylviane Lejeune, representative of UGICT-CGT (France).
The session's main focus was a reflection on geopolitics and global challenges , particularly investments in weapons, to the detriment of resources for science and social progress. Elies Molins stressed the urgency of fostering mutual understanding among nations, Seydi Ababacar (SAES, Senegal) highlighted the role of the West in arming Islamist movements. The session underscored the commitment to peace, including the initiative of the Chinese government, which in July met with Palestinian organizations, reinforcing its position in defense of peace.
Discussions also addressed the subject of "Open Science", with particular attention to initiatives in the Maghreb and elsewhere in Africa, such as the movement "Democratise Science" and the preparation of a symposium with UNESCO in Rabat. Xu Lan (CAST, China) addressed the WFSW's financial challenges, suggesting a dialogue with organisations in arrears with their membership fees and the possibility of raising private funds to ensure the Federation's sustainability.
Maria Elmina Lopes chaired the second session, together with Joana Santos, both from OTC. The session focused on the activity of the eight active Working Groups (see below) and the UNESCO and Communication sectors, whose reports are available on the cloud/website of the 96th EC.
In the third session, chaired by Xiqiu Han (CAST, China) assisted by Cheikhou Sylla (SUDES, Senegal), the matters presented so far were discussed, and the proposal from Working Group 4, "Funding of Research in Africa," was introduced by Malick Fall (SAES, Senegal) and Mehdi Lahlou (Morocco). Finally, in the last session, held in Huzhou, chaired by Marcelo Magnasco (FESIDUAS, Argentina), alongside Jamal Sebbani (SNESUP, Morocco), the EC approved the Treasurer's Report, the Budget, the reports from the Working Groups and Sectors, as well as three documents for broad dissemination as Federation Declarations:
• The WFSW appeal for peace, disarmament, and cooperation to ensure a viable future for humanity on planet Earth (https://fmts-wfsw.org/2024/10/wfsw-appeal-for-peace-and-cooperation/?lang=en);
• An appeal to the global community to fully recognise the urgency of climate change and to strengthen global mobilisation in response to this existential challenge, focusing on the enhancement and reinforcement of climate strategy (https://fmts-wfsw.org/2024/10/address-on-climate-change/?lang=en);
• A joint WFSW—CAST appeal for Low-Carbon Green Development (https://fmts-wfsw.org/2024/10/call-for-green-and-low-carbon-development/?lang=en).
The above-mentioned proposals by Malick Fall and Mehdi Lahlou, were endorsed, and support was expressed for the speech by the President of China on the unification of Palestinian organisations. Finally, the Federation approved the affiliation of the Association des Femmes Chercheures de Côte d'Ivoire and an individual membership for Marianne Seck Tall from Senegal. Lastly, the dates for the upcoming EC and GA meetings were set: EC97 on 26-27 November 2024; EC98 in 2025 in Paris; GA24 in 2026 in Latin America.
