Day 2 of World Science Forum 2024 Champions Trust, Inclusivity, and Open Science
Day 2 of the World Science Forum 2024 in Budapest highlighted critical global conversations on building trust in science and fostering inclusive and open scientific practices. Sessions explored how science can address pressing societal challenges while emphasising transparency, accountability, and collaboration. The key theme of the day centred on the need to rebuild and sustain trust in science to ensure that its transformative potential is fully realised for the benefit of humanity.
Dr Sudip Parikh, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), encapsulated the urgency of the matter during the morning Plenary session I – Trust in Science – Conceptualising Trust in Science.
“Trust is gained in teaspoons and lost in buckets”, he said, adding that despite science being among the most trusted professions globally, trust levels saw a decline during the Covid-19 pandemic but have since rebounded.
Tamara Elzein, Secretary General of the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research, emphasized the role of education in countering misinformation and promoting scientific literacy, adding that scientists must focus on research that benefits humanity rather than financial gain or publication metrics.
In the thematic session titled “The Interplay Between and Regulation of Rapidly Developing Technologies” speakers addressed the challenges of regulating disruptive innovations such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology and quantum computing. Panelists, including Clarissa Rios Rojas, Research Fellow at the International Science Council, and Yanan Sui, Associate Professor at Tsinghua University, emphasised the importance of global cooperation, anticipatory governance and public trust in harnessing these technologies for societal benefit.
While the potential of AI is limitless, speakers also highlighted the ethical risks of its misuse and the need for transparency.
“This year’s AI is eight times more powerful than last year’s”, said Thomas Hartung, Professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, underscoring the pace of technological advancement and its impact.
The thematic session on “Building Trust in Science” emphasised the role of open science in fostering trust, inclusivity, and global partnerships. Moderator Lidia Brito, Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences at UNESCO, underscored the importance of accessible science literacy, to enable communities to make informed, evidence-based decisions. Panellists, including Ana María Cetto, Professor at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, and Quarraisha Abdool Karim, President of the World Academy of Sciences, called for frameworks to ensure that scientific research prioritises societal benefits while addressing global inequalities. Peggy Oti-Boateng, Executive Director of the African Academy of Sciences, called for the recognition of indigenous science, which can provide unique solutions to local and global challenges.
The day concluded with powerful reflections on the social responsibility of science:
- “We must not only trust science but have faith in it to build peace and develop applications for humanity,” said Tamara Elzein.
- “Science is our shared responsibility. We must make science accessible for all through open science,” urged Lidia Brito.
- “Now is a call for partnership, to work together for the betterment of humanity,” added Peggy Oti-Boateng.
Discussions highlighted the need for inclusive science education, co-designed solutions with local communities, and equitable global cooperation to bridge divides and empower all sectors of society. By addressing inequalities, promoting open science and fostering trust, the scientific community can turn global challenges into opportunities for sustainable development and peace.