"Today, we are facing unprecedented global challenges in areas such as climate change and public health... The challenges are often complex, interconnected, and closely linked to science. These issues can amplify others, directly impacting our lives. Science literacy equips us with the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle these challenges and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals," Ezra Clark, special representative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and assistant director-general for Natural Sciences, emphasized the vitality of enhancing scientific literacy for addressing global challenges at the opening of the 2024 World Conference on Science Literacy (WCSL) held in Beijing on Dec 5.

The two-day conference, hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), is themed "Enhance Science Literacy, Empower Joint Development." Over 400 participants from both domestic and overseas engage in discussions of science literacy-related topics through keynote speeches, round-table discussions, and dialogues.

Clark highlighted that UNESCO actively promotes enhancing public science literacy through initiatives such as the Recommendation on Open Science and the Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science. The International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024-2033) resolution adopted last year also prioritizes the improvement of public scientific literacy.

Ana Cristina Amoroso das Neves, Vice-Chair of the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development, stressed in her opening remarks the need to further enhance scientific literacy to inspire the creativity of the next generation of scientists and innovators.

Rosalia Vargas, President of Portuguese National Agency for Scientific and Technological Culture and Director of the Pavilion of Knowledge, also expressed that people are facing existential threats, and only by possessing scientific literacy can we effectively respond to these challenges. To this end, Portugal has developed a series of networks, including science clubs, science schools, and science centers to improve public scientific literacy.

"In the new era, the concept of scientific literacy has evolved with new changes and requirements," said Ni Zhiyu, Director of the Science Popularization Department of CAST. Ni explained that for citizens today, scientific literacy means embracing the spirit of science, establishing scientific thinking, mastering basic scientific methods, understanding essential technological knowledge, and possessing the ability to apply this knowledge to analyze and solve real-world problems.

Ni emphasized that enhancing scientific literacy is a key goal in the new era, and science popularization is an important means. CAST is continuously working on producing science popularization content, building platforms for science communication, developing science communication teams, and promoting international cooperation in science popularization.

According to Ni, in 2023, CAST managed 1,127 science museums, 749 mobile science museums, and 1,418 science outreach vehicles, serving a total of 140 million people throughout the year.

Gong Ke, former president of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations and Executive Dean of the Chinese Institute of New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Strategies, emphasized the significant role of artificial intelligence (AI) in science popularization activities in the new era. "AI is a general-purpose technology that is leading a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, yet many people still struggle to use it effectively," Gong said, urging society to embrace AI and enhance scientific literacy to adapt to the changing times.

"In the new era, we need AI to empower astronomical science education," said Liu Jifeng, Director of the National Astronomical Observatory, the Chinese Academy of Sciences. "We must enhance the capabilities of young people through scientific education, as the fundamental hallmark of success in the Fourth Industrial Revolution is the comprehensive enhancement of human capabilities."

Sources: The 2024 World Conference on Science Literacy, VOC