2019 Forum on Global scientific and Technological development and Governance held in Beijing
The common mission of the world's scientific and technological workers is not to realize technology, but to create a better world.
Sponsored by Tsinghua University with support from the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), the 2019 Forum on Global S&T Development and Governance opened in Beijing on November 2, 2019.
Wan Gang, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and president of CAST, delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony.
Wan Gang, vice chairman of CPPCC and president of CAST, delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 2019 Forum on Global S&T Development and Governance in Beijing on November 2, 2019.
In the speech, Wan pointed out that a new round of S&T revolution and industrial transformation are developing rapidly on a large scale with new trends emerging: (1) Basic research is going increasingly inter-disciplinary and integrating in the direction of macro expansion and micro deepening and continuously dealing with issues under extreme conditions; (2) Cutting-edge technology presents a cluster of momentum with multi-point innovation achievements; (3) Driven by the high integration and convergence of disciplines and the spiral rise of science and technology, research in key fields plays a leading role and is followed by researches in other fields rapidly and sustainably; (4) Research model and paradigm is undergoing restructuring, as evidenced by the ongoing transforms in basic scientific theories, leading researcher forces, organizational framework and resource basis.
Wan then proposed that facing the wave of science and technology development and economic globalization, science communities should strengthen cooperation and enhance independent innovation capacity; grasp the general rules of S&T development to provide more and better products and services to meet social demands; improve S&T governance level to serve human society; and better communicate science to the public to make a sound social environment .
Wan stressed that it is not technology implementation but a better world creation that is the common mission of science and technology professionals across the world. He urged all the attendees to set off from the very point of “science and tech is for public good”, forge a mutual trust framework of S&T governance and build a community with shared values to guide science and technology to develop for human beings’ common value and common good.
Huai Jinpeng, executive vice president of CAST and co-chair of the Leading Group of THUSTDG, addresses summery speech at the forum.
Huai Jinpeng, executive vice president of CAST and co-chair of the Leading Group of the Tsinghua University Research Center for S&T Development and Governance (THUSTDG), said in his summery speech that globalization of S&T governance is crucial to both promoting S&T innovation and guiding technological development toward promoting public good and the well-being of mankind, as S&T innovation requires not only policy incentive but also ethical regulation.
He stressed that while attending and following the rapid development of science and technology, it is more important for scientists and science organizations to maintain rational and critical thinking and are open to criticism and questioning, pushing for a scientific and technological governance mechanism through concerted efforts among science communities, government bodies and various social sectors. It should also deepen international cooperation in this regard.
While S&T innovation needs wisdom, S&T governance needs wisdom more, Huai remarked, emphasizing that CAST, as an organization of the Chinese science community, will pool everyone's wisdom and strength to communicate science to the public, promote scientific spirit in the nation, build innovation think tanks, and expand openness and cooperation, thereby providing technological support for modernizing the national governance system and capability of China and constantly contributing to global S&T governance and the building of a better world.
Tsinghua University president Qiu Yong delivered welcoming remarks at the opening ceremony.
Over 30 experts, scholars, government officials and officials of international organizations attended the forum, including vice chairman of the 12th National Committee of the CPPCC and vice chairman of Boao Forum for Asia Zhou Xiaochuan, vice minister of science and technology Wang Xi, Nobel Prize laureate in Economics Paul Romer, former World Health Organization director-general Margaret Chan.
