A child interacts with a robot during the 2016 National Science and Technology Week in Hefei Institute of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in Hefei, East China's Anhui Province, May 14, 2016. (Photo: Xinhua)
Beijing will host the World Conference on Science Literacy Oct. 16 - 17, an official from the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) announced at a press conference on Wednesday.
Under the theme of "Science Literacy for Sustainable Development," the conference is designed to promote people-to-people diplomacy, help deliver the United Nation's 2030 sustainable development goals and advance the building of a community of shared future for humanity, said Zheng Kai, vice director general of the CAST's department of science popularization.
Some 400 guests from both home and abroad will take part in the conference, including representatives of 33 science organizations from 26 countries.
Among those who have confirmed their participation are Daya Reddy, president of the International Science Council, Gulyaev Yury Vasilyevich, president of the Russian Union of Scientific and Engineering Associations, and Hasan Mandal, president of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey.
The conference will consist of over 20 activities, including various meetings and an exhibition.
At its plenary session, a total of 15 preeminent scientists, government officials, science communication experts, media professionals and entrepreneurs will deliver reports and speeches.
Over 20 experts and scholars will make presentations at three thematic forums, focusing on science education and sustainable development, social responsibility and cooperation among science communication facilities of the Belt and Road countries, respectively.
The conference will also offer two roundtables where participants will share their insights on how to strengthen international exchanges and cooperation on improving public science literacy, build consensus and push for the establishment of a long-term cooperative mechanism. About 20 national science organizations have confirmed their participation in this activity.
The First World Science and Technology Development Forum, another initiative of the CAST, will be held concurrently.
At the latter event, about 200 Chinese and international participants, including academicians, experts, scholars, fellows of important science organizations, renowned entrepreneurs and university presidents will discuss a wide range of topics around a theme of "Science · Technology · Development."
Jules A. Hoffmann, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2011, will be among the keynote speakers.