In convening a World Conference on Science for the Twenty-First Century: a New Commitment, from 26 June to 1 July 1999 in Budapest, Hungary, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Council for Science (ICSU), in co-operation with other partners, initiated a unique forum for a much-needed debate between the scientific community and society.

Recognising the global nature of challenges facing humankind World Science Forum has been created by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the International Council for Science (ICSU) in the quest for meaningful dialogue among the various stakeholders of knowledge, scientific communities, policy makers and societies. Experiencing the changes in the role of science we strive to offer a forum to discuss policy…