The 2024 World Conference on Science Literacy (WCSL) opened on Dec 5 in Beijing, gathering over 400 representatives from 23 countries and 10 international organizations.

The conference, themed “Enhance Science Literacy, Empower Joint Development,” aims to bolster public scientific literacy and social sustainable development worldwide, while fostering international scientific and cultural exchanges.

Hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) and supported by UNESCO, the International Science Council (ISC), the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), and The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), the WCSL serves as a pivotal platform for the advancement of science literacy.

In his address at the opening ceremony, CAST President Wan Gang put forward three initiatives, emphasizing the need for consensus in fostering global development momentum, mutual learning in addressing international development challenges, and collective towards sustainable development. He also underscored the importance of maintaining a civilizational perspective of equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness and leveraging the WCSL and the upcoming World Organization for Science Literacy (WOSL) to deepen international cooperation in scientific literacy.

The 2024 WCSL opening ceremony also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in scientific communication. Gong Ke, former president of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), and Executive Director of the Chinese Institute for the New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Strategies, stressed the transformative role of AI in enhancing human cognitive abilities and its potential as a tool for scientific popularization. He equated the importance of AI knowledge to Internet literacy 20 years ago, emphasizing its necessity in the modern era.

Vital platform for science literacy

Since its inception in 2018, the WCSL has been dedicated to creating a comprehensive, global platform for exchange and cooperation in public science literacy. The 2024 conference, the fifth in the series, adheres to critical themes such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the global response to the public health crisis, realizing a green future, and joining hands towards modernization.

China's efforts in science popularization have been significant, with a network of science museums, mobile exhibits, and science caravans reaching 140 million people in 2023. The country has seen a substantial increase in the proportion of scientifically literate citizens, from 1.44% in 2001 to 14.14% in 2023, according to a survey result published by the CAST on April 16.

The 2024 WCSL features five thematic forums: the Forum of Popularizing Frontier Sciences to Support Scientific and Technological Innovation, the Forum of Multi-stakeholder Collaborations to Enhance Public Science Literacy, the Forum of Leveraging New Technologies to Empower Science Literacy Construction, the Forum of Regional Practices and Visions for Building Science Popularization Capacity, as well as the2024 Forum of the Center for China Science Popularization and the 31st National Science Popularization Theory Seminar. These forums will delve into current hot issues in global scientific literacy enhancement and science popularization efforts, contributing to advancing public scientific literacy worldwide.

Additionally, a special event “SciComm Dialogue” on Dec 6 will feature UNESCO Kalinga Prize Laureates Karl Kruszelnicki and Li Xiangyi discussing the significance of enhancing global public scientific literacy and and sharing insights into science communication.

The WCSL continues to be a crucial event in promoting science literacy domestically and globally, reflecting the importance of scientific outreach in today's rapidly evolving world.

Sources: The 2024 World Conference on Science Literacy, VOC