WCSL 2024 is set to take place in Beijing on Dec.5-6
The 2024 World Conference on Science Literacy (WCSL 2024) is set to take place in China’s capital city Beijing on December 5-6, 2024.
This prestigious event will delve into the theme "Enhance Science Literacy, Empower Joint Development," addressing critical global issues and charting the developmental trajectory within the realm of public science literacy.
The conference agenda is packed with an array of engaging sessions, including an opening ceremony, keynote speeches, 5 themed forums, and on-site observation activities.
A highlight of the event is the "Science Popularization Experts Talk," a dedicated special event that will feature laureates of the UNESCO Kalinga Prize from around the globe.
These distinguished guests will deliver speeches and engage in dialogues on topics of paramount importance, including the significance of enhancing scientific literacy among the global public, strategies for science popularization, and the cultivation of talent in the field of science communication.
The conference aims to foster the sharing of practical experiences and offer valuable insights that can inform and enhance science popularization and communication efforts both domestically and internationally.
The WCSL 2024, scheduled for December 5th to 6th in Beijing, will spotlight pivotal international issues such as fostering sustainable development through enhanced scientific literacy, cutting-edge science popularization services and technological innovation, and the collaborative effort to boost public scientific literacy across various entities.
The conference will also explore the empowerment of scientific literacy construction with new technology applications, regional practices and visions for science popularization capacity building, and the promotion of modernization through high-quality development in science popularization.
In November of this year, the 12th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) deliberated for the first time on the revision draft of The Law of the People's Republic of China on Popularization of Science and Technology.
Currently, the revised draft has been opened for public comments. This marks the first revision of China's Science Popularization Law since its implementation 22 years ago.
The revised draft includes multiple references to "international scientific and humanity exchanges," "science popularization exchanges and cooperation with foreign countries," and "international science popularization."
In August 2023, the United Nations General Assembly passed the resolution on the International Decade of Science for Sustainable Development, 2024-2033, which includes "empowering the international community with scientific literacy" as 1 of the 5 major tasks in its implementation strategy.
It is evident that improving scientific literacy has long been a key issue in achieving sustainable development, and the enhancement of public scientific literacy is closely related to building a community with a shared future for mankind.
The conference is designed to bolster an international science popularization exchange platform, offering a venue for the exchange of information and mutual learning within the global realm of science communication.
To date, the conference has garnered interest from representatives and guests hailing from 23 countries and 10 international organizations, with plans to attend. The anticipated total attendance is around 400 individuals, including over 60 guests from abroad.
Initiated by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) in 2018, the World Conference on the Promotion of Public Scientific Literacy has successfully convened for 5 sessions.
It is progressively evolving into a practical platform that fosters open trust and cooperation within the international scientific community and serves as an international exchanges and cooperation platform for the advancement of public scientific literacy.
Source: Official Website of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference