ECOSF together with UNESCO and other partners celebrated the World Science Day
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ECOSF jointly with UNESCO, COMSTECH, COMSATS, Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) and Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS) celebrated the 2020 World Science Day for Peace and Development on November 10, 2020, at the auditorium of COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan.
During the event, distinguished experts and speakers highlighted many critical aspects of science including nature based-solutions for sustainable development with an emphasis on responding to COVID-19 by enhancing national capacities on STI for evidence-based policymaking.
Federal Minister for Science & Technology, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain was the Chief Guest during the event. The Federal minister said that World Science Day is an opportunity to renew our resolve for the noble purpose of advancing scientific knowledge and its practical application so that human beings everywhere can live their lives in complete peace and freedom in a dignified manner. Mr. Fawad further emphasized the need of free and equal availability of vaccines and suggested that it must not be allowed to be monopolized by anyone in the world.
Ms. Patricia McPhillips, UNESCO Representative in Pakistan emphasized the criticality of sharing of scientific data openly with all stakeholders. As COVID-19 spreads rapidly around the world, crossing geographical borders, it reminds that we all live on one planet. Today, the world is in urgent need of the sharing of scientific information. UNESCO promotes the open science concept to encourage the exchange of global experiences and best practices. Ms. McPhillips specifically noted her appreciation for the two young students, who spoke on the occasion, on their achievements in winning international science awards.
Prof. Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro, President, ECOSF, emphasized the critical role of science communication. He said that that Science Communication is extremely critical for well-informed policy making on global complex challenges, such as climate change, food security and especially during the current pandemic. He urged that we must have a strong science communication system and capacities. Prof. Soomro further proposed that Pakistan should hold a science week every year along with the world science day.
Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General COMSTECH in his remarks said that scientific and technological innovation had and will continue to drive massive global transformation and economic gains. We need a responsible science; where fruits of human ingenuity must reach to the one who needs them the most, he said.
During the event, representatives of PSF, PAS and COMSSATS also delivered their talks thereby highlighting the critical linkages of science and society. At the end, souvenirs were distributed among the experts and speakers.
