27.1 WORLD CONFERENCE ON SCIENCE
Prof. Fischli described the World Conference on Science, held
26 June - 1 July 1999 in Budapest, Hungary. Over 1800 scientists
and policy makers attended the meeting. Many of those attending
were UNESCO delegates. The meeting was jointly sponsored by
UNESCO and ICSU, but, it followed UNESCO philosophy with cooperation
from ICSU in the organization. The WCS approved two non-binding
documents: the first on a Science Agenda- Framework for Action
and the second a Declaration on Science and the Use of Scientific
Knowledge. Other subjects discussed included opening up science
for women, the disabled and indigenous people.
IUPAC organized two workshops at the WCS. One, on Science and
New Materials, was organized by Prof. Corish and Prof. Gilbert.
This was the only purely scientific event at the WCS. Prof.
Corish reported that a sentiment expressed by many delegates
from developing countries was the difficulty of keeping young
people in their home countries.
The second workshop, on Science, Industry, and Knowledge as
a Public Good was organized by Prof. Fischli and featured a
number of prominent industrialists. It was the only event in
which key industry representatives could participate.
27.2 TRAINING PROGRAM IN INDIA
Prof. Fischli described the program that had been approved by
the International Chemistry Council EC at its meeting in Paris,
January 1998. Due to budgetary problems UNESCO had been unable
to provide the promised support. Prof. Rao had been informed
that in the interim IUPAC would provide USD 5000 in anticipation
of a UNESCO contribution later in 1999.