The recently held 2024 World Conference on Scientific Literacy (WCSL), hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), culminated in significant achievements, further propelling the cause of global scientific literacy and sustainable social development.

Emphasis on international cooperation

This year's conference emphasized the importance of international cooperation in enhancing global public scientific literacy. It proposed leveraging the conference and the World Organization for Scientific Literacy to jointly promote international cooperation in this field.

The event explored the different roles of various stakeholders in promoting public scientific literacy, highlighting the collaborative efforts of governments, academia, businesses, and media.

Wang Ting, director of the China Research Institute for Science Popularization, outlined China's strategy for science popularization at the conference.

“Our goal is to enhance the scientific literacy of the entire population, promote the integrated development of education, science, and technology experts, and implement a strategic approach that gives equal importance to technological innovation and science popularization,” Wang said.

Shi Zengzhi, a professor from the School of Journalism and Communication at Peking University, spoke of the current era as the best for science popularization, aligning with the vision of building a community of shared future for mankind.

Fung Hon Ngen, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Science and Technology Studies, Faculty of Science, University Malaya, highlighted the importance of adapting Chinese models of industry-science communication synergy to fit the nuances of different countries.

An insight into latest trends

The conference also helps to deepen concepts of science literacy and build consensus among the global scientific community. Leveraging the strength of the China Research Institute for Science Popularization, the conference focused on new trends such as AI, the integration of science and education, and the direction of science popularization. Participants shared their practical experiences in improving scientific literacy and science communication, providing valuable references for domestic and international science popularization efforts.

Jin Yong, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering of Tsinghua University, underscored the significance of innovation and scientific inquiries.

Ning Fanggang, general manager of the China Science and Technology Press, emphasized the importance of frontier science popularization in addressing human challenges.

Cong Bin, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, called for further efforts in disseminating scientific and technological knowledge while promoting the cultural characteristics of scientists.

Xin Bing, director general of the Children and Youth Science Center (CYSC) of the CAST, believes that new technologies serve as catalysts for international collaboration.

An inspiration to the future

The 2024 WCSL conference has provided valuable insights into the future of science communication, emphasizing the need to innovate alongside advancing technologies like AI. The event underscored the importance of adapting science popularization’s formats, content, and strategies to keep pace with technological and societal changes. Additionally, the WCSL highlighted the necessity for science communicators to address pressing global issues, such as sustainable development and the digital divide.

The construction of science literacy should emphasize the integration of ideological and cultural elements. In future practices, greater attention should be paid to the integration of science popularization and culture, promoting mutual learning and exchange among diverse cultures, incorporating culture into science popularization, shaping a global community of science popularization culture, expanding cultural dimensions, and continuously enhancing the cohesion and dissemination effectiveness of global science popularization culture.

Looking ahead, the WCSL will become a signature international platform in the field of science popularization, continuously advocating for the enhancement of public scientific literacy in the international community, establishing effective mechanisms for building public scientific literacy, and injecting a continuous stream of strength into the improvement of public scientific literacy worldwide.

Sources: The 2024 World Conference on Scientific Literacy, VOC