World Science Forum 2017

Our universal right to peace is so much more than a claim to live free from conflict. Peace encompasses the reconciliation and prevention of conflict, but it further embraces the holistic promotion of universal access to natural resources (including food, water and energy), to inclusive and equitable education and health provision, and to the opportunities created by a growing global economy, increasing innovation, and the digital transformation of our world. Building and sustaining peace, in the face of geopolitical turmoil and growing inequality, prejudice, poverty and insecurity, are imperative to securing a durable future for our planet and our people.
Our definition of peace is at the core of the Sustainable Development Agenda (Agenda 2030), both as a vital threshold condition for development, and as a development outcome in its own right. The attainment and sustainment of peace are responsibilities for all, and for scientists and science-policymakers never more so. Scientists have a vital role to play in:

• the promotion and provision of evidence-based policy, working with policymakers and practitioners to ensure robust, effective policies and good governance, so that governments and institutions are informed and held accountable;
• providing sustainable solutions to major and wide-ranging global challenges – not least in the management of natural resources – as ineffective policies fuel greater division, social discord and, ultimately, conflict;
• promoting and shaping science education to foster equal opportunity, and to inform and empower all citizens;
• building a more secure and resilient world that is predisposed to peace between nations and within societies, and in rebuilding broken societies where natural or human catastrophic events have prevailed to create rifts and inequalities. 

The core scientific principles of rationality, transparency and universality are essential to building peace, promoting equality and engendering hope. Plenary 1 will explore the definition and application of “science for peace”, particularly in relation to Agenda 2030, notably, Sustainable Development Goal 16 (“promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies”) – which it may be argued is a pre-requisite for all the other goals. The session will explore the opportunities and challenges faced by the global science community in applying science for peace. In doing so, it will establish a narrative for the rest of the World Science Forum through seven other plenaries and supporting thematic sessions and side events.

“Leaving no-one behind” is at the core of Agenda 2030. Education is the key tool in combating poverty and promoting peace, social justice, human rights, democracy, intercultural understanding and environmental awareness. In this context, it is imperative for scientists and educators to promote and shape science education and to facilitate global science literacy, to support equal opportunity and to empower and inform global citizens. Good science education can help to give all people a voice to challenge injustice and inequality and enable them to make informed decisions about the way they live their lives. The annual UN’s World Science Day for Peace and Development, which falls on the final day of WSF 2017, shares these aspirations.
Science education and engagement beyond the classroom can also help to achieve these aspirations. Traditional science communication activities, through the media and science museums, are increasingly being complemented by social media, science centres, and new ways of communicating science through art and civil society engagement. Developments and deployment of ICT is transforming the way science is communicated to all ages and in many contexts.
This session will explore the status of science-based learning around the world, at all levels and in different contexts. Particular attention will be given to the strength and impact of basic science in developing economies, and the status of evidence-informed thinking around the world. The session will also explore capacity building and knowledge transfer programmes in education, helping to alleviate inequalities, and efforts to capitalise on innovative ICT developments.

This Workshop will address current issues and challenges being faced by women engineers. Through personal experiences and case studies, leading female engineers from the IEEE will share their views and seek answers to current problems ranging from reluctance of females to take up STEM  subjects at school, to barriers to joining engineering and continuing in the profession.
The IEEE is the world’s largest organisation of professional engineers.
Through a series of panel presentations, followed by break-out sessions, the Workshop will engage the attendees in exploring the Role of Women Engineers in Inspiring the future.

This special session will examine UNESCO regional initiatives to promote science diplomacy in shared Arab region/Africa water resources.  Building on that, a second objective is to explore potential future action towards effective use of the power of science to link different communities and societies towards addressing mutually shared developmental goals and concerns in the major basins and aquifers of the Arab region including the Nile, Jordan, and Euphrates-Tigris river basins.

 

Water scarcity remains one of the most critical sustainable development challenges in the Arab Region Nearly two thirds of the fresh surface water resources of the Arab region originate outside each individual country, with major rivers such as the Euphrates, Tigris, and the Nile originating outside the region. Likewise, countries in the region share several major groundwater aquifers among themselves and with neighboring countries. Effective and meaningful regional and sub-regional cooperation modalities and frameworks are yet to evolve into joint management of shared water resources, with only few exceptions. Sustainable development and management of these transboundary resources demand a great deal of water diplomacy including wider scientific cooperation, even when water diplomacy may struggle due to seemingly irreconcilable priorities.  In this context, the role of science diplomacy is to facilitate the establishment of a cooperative environment and partnerships towards enhancing opportunities for cooperative management of shared and transboundary resources.

 

For science diplomacy in the Arab region and in Africa to achieve these objectives, it must include deliberate and sustained stakeholder driven capacity building efforts as one of its core activities. Among the several experiences in the field,  UNESCO’s  FRIEND/Nile Initiative (2002-2013) and its successor Water for Peace in the Nile Basin initiative (2013-2014) are recognized.  These initiatives have had notable experience in establishing scientific cooperation between water scientists in the Nile Basin Countries and with scientists from other regions. However, the impact of both initiatives on shared management of the water resources was less than hoped for. Other initiatives, mainly those concerned with shared aquifers have combined success in developing scientific cooperation with the delivery of actionable policy guidelines on shared management of water resources. It is therefore important to learn from these lessons of science diplomacy prior to launching new initiatives, especially as the stakes are now tied to the regional sustainable development and peace.

 

UNESCO Regional Bureau for Sciences in the Arab States seeks to organize this activity for supporting the formulation of an effective and sustained mechanism for planning and implementation of scientific cooperation in water resources management in the major surface and ground water basins in the region such as the Nile Basin, The Jordan River, the Euphrates-Tigris basins, and the Nubian Sandstone aquifer. The contemplated initiative shall capitalize on the network of UNESCO water/environment related Cat-2 centers (C2Cs), UNESCO Chairs, and IHP NATCOM and academic/research institutions in the region and globally. Research partnerships and alliances in the area of water management and consumption and production technologies can offer a platform to exchange knowledge and expertise, with the possible development of amenable solutions to these challenges, in addition to strengthening regional ties.  Through capacity-building knowledge sharing and research, the C2Cs and Chairs can provide a valuable and unique contribution to the implementation of UNESCO’s strategic programme objectives especially in enhancing the regional cooperation and building capacities for better water resources management.

 

The event will bring together participants representing the mentioned initiatives with leaders in the theory and practice of science diplomacy.  Experiences will be shared towards the development of the outlines of a joint vision for future science diplomacy in supporting sustainable water security in the region. The vision shall be responsive to technical and geo-political complexities and shall build on previous success.

SESAME – Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East – is a new third generation light source situated near Amman, Jordan, with a research program beginning this year. It is an international organization that promotes scientific excellence and collaboration in the region. Administratively modelled on CERN, SESAME’s Members are Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Pakistan, the Palestinian Authority, and Turkey. This session will give a brief introduction to SESAME and its mission to develop scientific excellence in the region.

Science, technology, and innovation (STI) are recognized drivers of economic growth and prosperity.  But there is also the broader importance of science to citizenry by fostering objective and informed policies and guiding policy implementation.
To this end, scientists must engage with the local, national and international policy processes to help devise sustainable solutions to global challenges. The core scientific principles of transparency and universality are adaptable to building peace and sustainable development. But how does this work in practice?
This session will feature a panel discussion with experts from multiple countries, sectors and stakeholders currently working to expand science and technology (S&T) policy capacity at the national and international levels through fellowships and other science policy connection mechanisms.
This session will address the need to engage and nurture a new generation of global scientific leaders eager to meet current and future demand at the science-policy interface.  Strategies to accomplish this will be discussed  - with special emphasis on the Middle East - and include: expanding the availability of and access to immersive science-policy connection mechanisms; enhancing the training of STEM leaders to include policy-relevant skill sets; and the importance of international cooperation in building science policy capacity as an emerging dimension of science diplomacy.

The universality of science in its broadest sense is about developing a truly global scientific community based on equity and non-discrimination. It is also about ensuring that science is trusted and valued by societies across the world. As such, it incorporates issues related to the conduct of science; capacity building; science education and literacy; access to data and information and the relationship between science and society. 
 
The Principle of Universality of Science (current ICSU Statute 5) states that;
“The free and responsible practice of science is fundamental to scientific advancement and human and environmental well-being. Such practice, in all its aspects, requires freedom of movement, association, expression and communication for scientists, as well as equitable access to data, information, and other resources for research. It requires responsibility at all levels to carry out and communicate scientific work with integrity, respect, fairness, trustworthiness, and transparency, recognizing its benefits and possible harms. In advocating the free and responsible practice of science, ICSU promotes equitable opportunities for access to science and its benefits, and opposes discrimination based on such factors as ethnic origin, religion, citizenship, language, political or other opinion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or age.”


There are several ICSU activities and bodies addressing these issues as adherence to this Principle is a condition of ICSU membership. 

The ICSU policy Committee on Freedom and Responsibility in the conduct of Science (CFRS) serves as the guardian of the Principle and undertakes a variety of actions to defend scientific freedoms and promote integrity and responsibility. 
Session 


The thematic session will be an open item of the 23rd CFRS meeting.  A panel of three invited speakers will offer their perspectives on the state and future of the Principle of Universality of Science.  This will be followed by questions and answers from the floor and general discussion within the context of the following presumptions and concerns:

• Despite decades of broad international support for the Principle of Universality of Science, a number of persistent issues around inequality and recent developments around the world indicate a shift in trust in science in society and among politicians and, in turn, challenge the foundation for universality and the capacity of science to contribute to societal development.

• At the same time, borders between states and cultures matter little as we struggle to find sustainable solutions to global issues like energy, food, water and climate change.

• The Principle of Universality of Science is one of the fundamental building blocks of a sustainable knowledge-led society.  Discovery and use of new knowledge to serve society depends on open borders between states and cultures.  It must avoid the pressure to select what is important or not important based on politics and opinion.

• Universality includes openness and the ability of scientists to freely associate and share knowledge and to take account of different perspectives.  Openness is also critical for building capacity in countries with less-developed research systems, to allow them the same opportunity to grow and develop, and address the global issues that all countries are facing.

• Openness also comes with a responsibility for scientists to communicate the results of their research clearly, openly and accessibly, and contribute to the removal of barriers to accessing the outputs of scientific research.

The relationship between peace, conflict and food security is historic and well documented. The threat of hunger is a powerful driver of instability, anger and violence, while actions to promote food security can help prevent crisis, mitigate its impacts, and promote recovery, healing and growth. But sustainable and equitable access to food for all is becoming increasingly challenging as consumption patterns and dietary expectations change rapidly. Further, the relationship between global food production and a variety of factors including health, nutrition, agriculture, climate change, water and energy management, ecology and human behaviour is complex and characterised by inequality and imbalances. The Sustainable Development Goals provide a critically important framework for addressing these challenges but require an integrated scientific approach to understand and account for these interdependencies. This session will explore how the global science community is responding to these challenges, and how it can work with policymakers, the food industry and landowners to help build local resilience and help ensure a secure and sustainable food supply for all.

This special session will explore how different disciplines and sectors can come together to solve global challenges.

Interdisciplinary work is considered crucial by scientists, policymakers and funders.

Done correctly, it is not mere multidisciplinary work — a collection of people tackling a problem using their specific skills — but a synthesis of different approaches into something unique. The best interdisciplinary science comes from the realization that there are pressing questions or problems that cannot be adequately addressed by people from just one discipline. Most scientists are aware of the term, and might have used it, but how many are truly engaged in it?

• What are the benefits of interdisciplinary approach in science and technology?
• What are the challenges of interdisciplinary work?
• How can governments, funders and universities encourage researchers to visit the no-man’s-land of interdisciplinary work?

This Session will be composed of a panel of 4-5 regional experts who will present ideas and solutions to foster scientific cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean and introduce CILAC (Open Science Forum for Latin America and the Caribbean) as the space to forge and strengthen regional cooperation. Some of the areas to be addressed in this session will include: How to promote integrated approaches between countries in LAC; funding for regional research; the interface between science-policy and society; cross-learning platforms to foster smart bench-marking between countries and communities; education for science to strengthen citizenship and democracy for sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean. 
Advancing in the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean demands new integrated, innovative approaches and regional collaboration to fully harness the potential of science in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, this session aims to reinforce CILAC as tool that contributes to building a sustainable future in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The session will open with a presentation of the results, recommendations and outputs of CILAC 2016 followed by a brief insight into what to expect in the second edition of the open science forum for Latin America and the Caribbean, to be held in Panama City in 2018, followed by a dynamic journalistic-style discussion, moderated by the chosen expert to promote the dialogue and exchange between the panellists and the audience.
Expected results:

• The international scientific and governmental community aware on the importance of scientific cooperation to strengthen regional integration towards the 2030 Agenda.

• Higher international visibility of the CILAC Open Science Forum in LAC strategy as an example of a multiple stakeholder platform for science, technology and innovation towards the implementation of the SDGs.

• To strengthen UNESCO’s role as a leading actor in the promotion of science as a bridge for peace and development.

CILAC: Open Science Forum is spearheaded by the UNESCO Regional Office for Sciences for Latin America and the Caribbean and supported by a number of regional partners that set out to influence science policies and the decision-making processes in Latin America and the Caribbean, through the promotion of dialogue between science, politics and civil society.

How does artificial and human intelligence combine to help fight extremism content on Utube where 83% of worrisome videos are now being flagged in real-time and what should we think when Google’s AlphaGoZero teaches itself to be the world’s best Go player and dispenses with human wisdom? Is it already the present for some of us and the future for all to have Android receptionists in our shopping malls, robot workers in our factories or to have our newspaper articles written by search engines or our CVs and job interviews handled by machines? Do we even need Chief Science Advisers in government when AI might provide less biased answers or researchers in our labs when technology doesn’t need eating, smoking, toilet or sleeping breaks?

 

Viewed against phenomenal hundred billion $ investments in the global ‘artificial intelligence race’, this panel will demystify big-data and global information analytics through the eyes of scientific publishing’s role in solving global challenges. Big data analysis can tell us which pupils are at risk of dropping out of school, the path of the next pandemic, which cars are likely to be uninsured or the speed of glacial melting. It is increasingly part of scientific output and of policy decisions. Bringing together ethical and AI experts, policy-makers and the publisher of over 1800 scientific journals, speakers will argue that public discussion about research quality, validity, and trustworthiness must keep pace. Via a moderated audience debate, this session aims to reach firm conclusions about what decision-makers, the general public, journalists etc. need to know to hold the output of big data analytics to account. In particular, this session will use as case-studies the latest findings on gender and science and science in the Arab region. 

Global and national food systems present increasing challenges for the science community in tackling issues of health, nutrition, agriculture, climate change, ecology and human behaviour. The Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the UN in 2015 provide a critically important framework for meeting these challenges but require fresh engagement by the science community to address the complexities of evidence-based policies and programmes.
The current major global challenges in attaining food and nutrition security are compounded by pressures of growing populations, climate and other environmental change, and economic inequity and instability. Furthermore, lack of quality and safety of diets, risk-prone food distribution systems and adverse nutrition behaviour and lifestyles, resulting in obesity, are of increasing concern. No region is immune from concerns about food and nutrition security, and food systems have also to become better integrated as a pillar of the growing global bioeconomy.
Setting priorities for increasing agricultural production through sustainable intensification must additionally take account of pressures on other critical natural resources, particularly in the food-water-energy nexus, and the continuing imperative to avoid further loss in ecosystem biodiversity. Dealing with food and nutrition security must include both supply-side and demand-side issues: reducing food waste and changing to healthier consumption patterns will reduce pressure on land and other natural resources. Therefore, in addition to improving agricultural productivity, within an integrative food-systems approach there are interrelated issues for resource efficiency, environmental stability, resilience, the public health agenda and global justice
There is much still to be done to fill knowledge gaps. For example, what is a diverse, sustainable and nutritious diet? How can food waste and the concomitant waste of natural resources be reduced? How can changes in consumer demand be incentivised? How can climate resilience be fostered? How should land and marine resources be best utilised to avoid the negative effects of agriculture on the environment?
IAP (the InterAcademy Partnership), the global network of science academies, has initiated a project on “Food and Nutrition Security and Agriculture” that encompasses work by its regional academy networks in Africa, Americas, Asia and Europe. Among these, the affiliated European network, EASAC, has taken on a lead role. The IAP-EASAC initiative represents a novel approach to explore how science can inform global policy development, connected to regional and national policy development. Regional goals are now being assessed and compared according to societal priority needs, by drawing on the academy traditions of scientific excellence. Regional evaluations will be examined and combined in 2017 to create strong consensus messages for policy-makers and other stakeholders at the global level, with clarification of the scientific basis of current disparities in policy expectations, objectives and future options in the different regions.

If the powers of science, technology and innovation (STI) to grow the economy, quicken the pace of development, and contribute to evidence-based policy are to be fully realized, then the community of science leaders must be diverse. Consider scientist innovators: diversity among innovators increases the likelihood that the products and services created will address the needs and support development goals for all groups within a society, thus supporting sustainable peace and prosperity. Studies in various sectors have shown that women leaders are held to higher standards than men and need to do more to prove themselves. Despite the slow, but unequivocal change, the world of science is no exception, women in leadership is still rather an exception than a rule of everyday life.
Variably, across the globe, individuals, institutions, and governments are tackling the obstacles—laws, practices, attitudes, and stereotypes—that limit women’s access to and stunt their leadership in STI careers across all sectors (e.g. academia, government, private sector and industry, etc). The extraordinary members of this panel have demonstrated their talent as scientists and leaders. Join them to discuss how to foster a new generation of women leaders in STI. Topics to be discussed include:
Why do we need women leaders in various STI sectors?
What are the strategies that women in STI need to employ to increase leadership within various sectors? What policies or programs are working, where, and why? What is working in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region?
How does STI education need to change to be more inclusive and foster more women leaders in STI fields? How do academic institutions need to change beyond curriculum (e.g. governance and policies)?

Heritage sites are often exposed to a number of natural hazards (landslides, flash floods and earthquakes) that represent a threat to the monuments and the visitors. Synergies need then to be created between the protection of cultural assets and the management of natural hazards for the enhanced preservation of the sites and the joint benefit of the visitors and the local communities. In the past years, the Amman Office has been engaging with the Petra Archaeological Park, the Department of Antiquities and Jordan Civil Defence in a long-term strategy aimed at the prevention and mitigation of natural hazards at the World Heritage Site of Petra through a number of initiatives and projects. Thanks to the expertise acquired and the network developed the Amman Office will be able to 1) present the activities undertaken in Petra in cooperation with the national authorities, 2) invite relevant experts in the field of DRR applied to cultural heritage to present best practices from their respective regions. This approach will enable strengthening existing partnerships and building new synergies between Jordan and countries with expertise in the application of Disaster Risk Reduction strategies at cultural heritage sites (e.g. Japan, Switzerland, Italy).

Future global security, prosperity and equality will depend in large part on how the world responds to pressures on natural resources. The global demand for food, water and energy is increasing at an unsustainable rate, due to a rapidly growing global population, inefficient resource management, and the impacts of climate change. Agenda 2030 accounts for these challenges across several Sustainable Development Goals but their interdependencies (both synergies and trade-offs) are not yet adequately understood. This is most acute in the host nation and its region when it comes to the “water-energy nexus”.
This session will examine the most acute resource challenges in the host region through the critical interdependency of water and energy security. Water scarcity in Jordan and the Levant has the potential to further compromise social and political stability of the region.  Scientists have a role to play in developing better management systems through enhanced cooperation, knowledge exchange and institutional strengthening; improving water conservation and energy efficiency; building local capacity in water and energy sectors; and working together on transboundary resource sharing to build regional resilience. Opening channels of communication between states where there is political tension can, in turn, help to build trust and promote cooperation on other issues.
The session will also give an account of governance systems, technological choices and investments, and social and human infrastructure that are being developed in other parts of the world, bringing in representatives of science, industry, policy and civil society, to share good practice and to exchange knowledge.

The session seeks to strengthen lifelong learning trends for Arab women and highlight its mechanisms, approaches and technical platforms in order to utilize them within the contexts of education and work. Arab women have contributed significantly to scientific disciplines despite the numerous challenges faced by many Arab countries which include cultural and other constraints, but mainly the reluctance of females to opt for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) specializations. This trend, it must be admitted, is slowly but surely changing and women are more and more visible in the STEM related research and teaching. However, the pace of change is rather slow.
According to statistics published in the UNESCO SCIENCE REPORT Towards 2030, the global participation of women in science and research is rather sluggish. Women do pursue bachelor and master degrees, and in several regions even outnumber men at these levels, representing about 53% of graduates. A quick drop in numbers seems to come abruptly after this phase, at PhD level, when all of a sudden male graduates (57%) overtake women. The disparity becomes even wider at the researcher level, with men representing 72% of the global cluster. Obviously, the larger percentage of women in tertiary education does not necessarily lead to their greater visibility in research.
Statistics in the UNESCO SCIENCE REPORT Towards 2030 also brings to focus that the presence of women in science and research differs according to the field of study. Presently, women surpass men in the broad fields of health and welfare in most regions of the world, but fall behind in other disciplines of science. For instance, their absence is most notable among engineering graduates. In Jordan, women researchers make up 5.3% in the field of Engineering and Technology, 12.6 % of Natural sciences, 30.8% in Medical Sciences and 21.5 % in Agricultural sciences and 31.9% in Social sciences and humanities.
A survey of 10 prestigious journals in environmental biology, natural resource management and plant sciences studied the number of women on editorial boards and among editors from 1985 to 2013. The result was self-explanatory:  Women made up 16% of subject editors, 14% of associate editors and 12% of editors-in-chief (Cho et al., 2014).
It is clear that national universities, where future scientists and researchers are born, need to drastically rethink their vision and strategy in responding to current and future labor market demands. We need to create interrelated disciplines that combine scientific specializations with technological abilities and business management skills which help to increase the choices for women in science, and integrate them smoothly into the labor market while developing their ability to adapt to changing conditions. We need to create and enforce a comprehensive national framework for academic and career guidance that adopts advanced mechanisms and modern means that can guarantee success.
This session aims to highlight Arab women’s achievements in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, identify and close gaps in these areas, and focus on the potential offered by STEM fields for more dynamic women leaders and role models.
The session will address the following issues:

• Highlighting mechanisms, approaches and technical platforms to utilize Arab women scientists within the contexts of education and work.
• Highlighting Arab women’s achievements in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, identify and close gaps in these areas, and focus on the potential offered by STEM fields for more dynamic women leaders and role models.
• The need to create and enforce a comprehensive national framework for academic and career guidance that adopts advanced mechanisms and modern means which can guarantee success.
• Arab women’s participation in the private sector: Careers for women in high-tech
• Gender issues in scientific research
• Gender perspectives related to scientific careers
• Women and leadership
• Strategies to attract girls into STEM programs
• International organizations and their policies to empower women engineers and scientists
• The contribution of women to the region’s growth and sustainable development
• Strategies to make women’s contributions more visible
• Harnessing the full potential of women and overcoming barriers that continue to hinder equal participation
• The importance of regional dialogue and cooperation to help to achieve these goals

The Dead Sea represents a unique environment of a hyper saline terminal lake located in a pull-apart basin, which is one of the main components of the Jordan Dead Sea Transform Fault System, the active Plate boundary between the Arabian and African plates. The lake is the lowest place on Earth with an elevation of about 432 m bMSL in November 2017. Most of the valuable Dead Sea coastal areas are over complex faulted zones related to the lake’s pull-apart basin, an area prone to rather infrequent and strong earthquakes that are occasionally involving some soil liquefaction. Most of the area is also characterized by karstic and fractured rock formations that are genetically connected with faults. Karstic conduits extend from land into the sea, and the prevailing seaward sloping rock strata. A steep escarpment characterises the morphology. The difference in the elevation between the lake’s level and the Jordanian highlands to the east exceeds 1200 m over a horizontal distance of 15 km. Hot and sulphur springs are found in many places in the area. Due to the maximum level of the lake at about 180 m bMSL in the Pleistocene, marine saline sediments deposits are the direct cause of the observed high salinity of some springs adjacent to the shore.

Since the 1960s, the Dead Sea water level has been dropping at an accelerating rate: from about 60 cm/yr. in the 1970s to 100 cm/yr. in the 2000s to about 140 cm/yr. in 2017. This is causing the expected environmental problems of shoreline withdrawal, subsidence, landslides, and swarms of rapidly proliferating, highly hazardous sinkholes affecting some segments of the coastal areas, thus putting infrastructures at risk. Avoiding most consequences of the worsening degradation of some parts of the Dead Sea shore requires more support for our scientific efforts aiming at developing an Early Warning System based on close monitoring of the cumulative tiny deformations taking place in critical areas before catastrophic events. The EWS is the focus of our research since 1991. The talk will expose the Dead Sea induced environmental degradation and the EWS way to help avoiding the consequences. 

More in.. Closson et al. 2003, Abou Karaki and Closson 2012, Abou Karaki et al. 2016, Fiaschi et al. 2017. 

 

Abou Karaki N., Damien Closson, 2012, European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers- EAGE Workshop on Dead Sea Sinkholes, causes, effects & solutions, Field Guidebook, 45pages.

http://www.eage.org/images/cms/files/Conferences/Field%20Guide%20-%20color%20-%20min%20size.pdf  

 

Abou Karaki N., S. Fiaschi, and D. Closson. 2016. Sustainable development and Anthropogenic induced geomorphic hazards in subsiding areas. Earth Surf. Process. Landforms. Published online (Wileyonlinelibrary.com), DOI: 10.1002/esp.4047

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/307892747_Sustainable_development_and_Anthropogenic_induced_geomorphic_hazards_in_subsiding_areas_Anthropogenic_sustainable_development_in_subsiding_areas

 

Closson D., Abou Karaki N., Hansen H,  Derauw D.,  Barbier C., Ozer A. , 2003, Space born radar interferometric mapping of precursory deformations of a dike collapse -Dead Sea area- Jordan. Int. J. Remote Sensing 24(4) 843-849.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/240527227_Space-borne_radar_interferometric_mapping_of_precursory_deformations_of_a_dyke_collapse_Dead_Sea_area_Jordan?_iepl%5BviewId%5D=vG14hqzlbL16OK5q3D233NBR&_iepl%5BprofilePublicationItemVariant%5D=default&_iepl%5Bcontexts%5D%5B0%5D=prfpi&_iepl%5BtargetEntityId%5D=PB%3A240527227&_iepl%5BinteractionType%5D=publicationTitle

 

Fiaschi S., Closson D.,  Abou Karaki N.,  Pasquali P., Riccardi P. and  Floris M., 2017, The complex karst dynamics of the Lisan Peninsula revealed by 25 years of DInSAR observations. Dead Sea, Jordan. ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 130:358-369 · Aug. 2017.

International funding – especially from philanthropy, development cooperation agencies, and multilateral agencies, constitutes a significant share of the total R&D spend in Africa. For example, in South Africa where national R&D expenditure is just below 0.8% of GDP, approximately 15% of this is sourced from foreign funding. Whilst science prospers through international cooperation and attracting foreign investment to strengthen science and innovation capacities is pursued by developed and developing countries alike, this session will examine if an over-reliance on international funding, as is often the case in Africa, distorts national R&D agendas.

Kofi Annan’s Africa Progress Report claims that twice as much is being lost in illicit financial outflows than received in aid. Unethical tax avoidance, transfer pricing and anonymous company ownership are obliterating the benefits governments gain from international funding. Furthermore, much is being done outside the governmental framework with civil society groups and foundations raising billions for their ‘Africa work’ with scant governance or, indeed, financial accountability in place, Ebola being a recent example amongst many.

In Africa-55 countries where little if any public funding is available to support national R&D programmes, domestic researchers are “forced” to pursue foreign funding as an objective in its own right. This is often for mere survival, at the price of sacrificing work on strategic national priorities, as well as the obligation to comply with frequently onerous administrative obligations attached to the funding. Do we need to re-focus our best researcher minds away from the international and back to the national or regional? Do we risk upsetting the apple cart, at best, or biting the hand that feeds us, at worst, if we ask for greater co-ownership, co-production and co-responsibility for example, in the EU’s African Union Research Grants Programme or the African Academy of Sciences meritorious efforts to develop African-led continental research programmes involving funding from international partners such as the UK’s Wellcome Trust?

This panel will explore the significant policy challenge of developing vibrant international cooperation partnerships and attracting foreign funding, while complementing national investments that support national programmes and do not hamper them. Representing African governments, academies, civil society and institutions such as the African Union, speakers will juxtapose the reality on the ground with the ambitions of Africa’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA).

Organiser: Aidan Gilligan (IRL), CEO, SciCom – Making Sense of Science; Media Manager, WSF 2017 Jordan; Elected Member of the Governing Board, Euroscience; Executive Committee Member, International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA).

Co-organiser: Daan du Toit, Deputy Director-General: International Cooperation and Resources, Department of Science and Technology, Government of South Africa.

UNESCO as part of the PERFORM consortium is in charge of the sustainability of this European Commission extra budgetary project. We are committed to promoting PERFORM at World Science Forum, which is an appropriate venue to discuss the programme.

PERFORM aims to investigate the effects of the use of innovative science education methods based on performing arts in fostering young peoples’ motivations and engagement with STEM in selected secondary schools in France, Spain and the United Kingdom.

The PERFORM special session at World Science Forum will present to the audience PERFORM in action and discuss early results of PERFORM two years following initial implementation. 

Archaeology is the study of the material remains of human resilience, adaptation, and innovation. As a discipline, archaeology sits at the nexus between the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences, integrating elements of each to reconstruct the human past in all its facets. This special session considers how human beings have responded to perennial challenges, including maintaining a food supply, and climate change.
The scientific basis of how archaeologists “know” is presented alongside the key questions and new discoveries. In recent times, archaeological methods and practice have been revolutionized through the application of scientific techniques and computational capacity. The techniques and tools are evidence-based and involve the articulation of large data sets, setting highly complex human interactions in context.
The contributions consider what the past can contribute to the present, and what archaeological science can contribute to debates and practice regarding climate change and environmental stewardship, human origins and ingenuity through time, as well as human-animal and human-plant relations.  Archaeology provides a means to communicate science and to bring “science and science-based thinking to our public and private spheres” (WSF2017 concept note).

The functional and experiential characteristics of the working environment impact on the success of scientific experimentation and collaboration.  

Scientific endeavour is influenced by the quality of different types of space – to enable technical research, contemplation, collaboration, and engagement to further the positive impacts of science on society.

Scientist’s comfort and well-being, as well as the technical performance of facilities, are critical factors which impact on the delivery of successful science. 

In the pursuit of scientific advances which help support peace, consideration of individual, local and international social contexts take on even greater relevance for scientific collaboration and the dissemination of ideas.

 

Presentation and Discussion

Ian Taylor, Architect + Partner, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, London.  

Since the introduction of penicillin in the 1940’s antibiotics have become one of the main pillars of modern medicine, saving millions of lives and billions of dollars. However, their extensive use has also resulted in the emergence of new, resistant bacteria indicating that the era of traditional antimicrobial treatment may soon be over. A panel of outstanding scientists and policy experts will share their breakthrough scientific ideas and their in-depth experience to forecast how scientists, medical doctors and health-policy experts can take up the fight against the threat of unconstrained infections on a global level.

This session seeks to stimulate dialogue on best practices and modalities for transferring, diffusing and localizing sciences and knowledge to support and accelerate efforts for achieving sustainable development in the Arab region. The session will also highlight the issue of brain drain in developing countries.
This session will expand on the outcomes of the Round-Table Workshop on “Science and Knowledge for Advancing the 2030 SDGs in the Arab Region”, which was organized in Cairo, Egypt in May 2016.
Transfer and localization of science and knowledge is an essential element for advancing sustainable human development. In the context of sustainable development, effective knowledge and technology transfer and utilization provide effective means to translate innovative and creative problem solving approaches from global to national and local levels. This event will explore the institutional capabilities requirements, and the challenges, opportunities and experiences that hinder/permit the relevant institutions to successfully absorb, adapt, develop and utilize knowledge and technology for developing the knowledge-based economy in any given state.  In addition to identification of major issues, challenges and opportunities, major responsibilities and roles of stakeholders shall be identified including the potential role of UNESCO/UN agencies as well as relevant international, regional and national bodies, in advancing the Science/Knowledge and SDG agenda in the Arab region.
The expanded set of the approved 17 SDGs and 169 targets cover a wide range of topics with a large diverse set of socioeconomic and environmental indicators. Taking into account the socioeconomic, environmental and geo-political complexity of the Arab region, Science and Knowledge have a major role in providing platforms for advancing the 2030 Agenda.  In particular, Science and knowledge can/should:

• Provide innovative knowledge-based scientific and technological solutions to pressing livelihood challenges in all spheres of and sectors (water, energy, agriculture, industry, health, environmental protection…inter-alia);
• Enable the marginalized sectors to actively engage in socioeconomic advancement
• Provide scientific basis for addressing social and economic challenges
• better understanding of the dynamics and linkages across sectors and scales
• enhancing collaboration (closing gap) between the policy and scientific communities and other stakeholders

The future of nations depends not only on their economic capital or natural resources, but also on the collective ability to understand, anticipate, and effectively act to address challenges through generating and deploying science and knowledge. 

• Provide innovative knowledge-based scientific and technological solutions to pressing livelihood challenges in all spheres and sectors (water, energy, agriculture, industry, health, environmental protection…inter-alia);
• Enable the marginalized sectors to actively engage in socioeconomic advancement

The issue of brain drain in developing countries will be the second focus of the session. This issue is of significant importance as the lack of opportunities in developing countries is causing an intellectual leakage of scientific talent from developing countries. Understanding the potential of strengthening science and technology for capacity building means that programmes can be implemented to create and improve opportunities. In this way the outflow of young capable minds will be reduced and growth of local research will be encouraged

While the practice of delivering independent science-based advice to policy-makers has always been a difficult one, recent developments seem to have added a new dimension of challenge.
The boundary lines between facts, non-facts and uncertainties appear to have become blurred. And increasingly, (parts of) societies do not agree anymore on those facts that form the foundation of any scientific analysis, evaluation and recommendation.
In this thematic session, we will look at some of the ‘standard‘ challenges that providers of science-based advice to policy-makers are faced with globally before turning to those shifts in public debate and perception that may in time require some fundamentally different approaches to science-based policy advice

 

A 2017 American documentary film directed by Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk about former United States Vice President Al Gore's continuing mission to battle climate change. The sequel to An Inconvenient Truth (2006), the film addresses the progress made to tackle the problem and Gore's global efforts to persuade governmental leaders to invest in renewable energy, culminating in the landmark signing of 2016's Paris Agreement. The film was released on July 28, 2017, by Paramount Pictures.

 Former Vice President Al Gore continues his tireless fight, traveling around the world to train an army of activists and influence international climate policy. Cameras follow him behind the scenes -- in moments both private and public, funny and poignant -- as he pursues the inspirational idea that while the stakes have never been higher, the perils of climate change can be overcome with human ingenuity and passion.

Technological and digital advances are bringing disruptive and transformative change to our world that will impact on every aspect of the lives of all its citizens. Government, industry, civil society and academia are striving to anticipate how the pace and scale of these advances will change the way our world works, and to identify and leverage the opportunities and tackle the challenges they will bring.

While technological and digital advances have helped to drive societal development, they have also fuelled disparities in equal rights and access to social progress, raising social, legal and ethical issues that must be addressed. For example, the unequal distribution of access to digital resources blocks the free flow of knowledge and the potential power that it confers. Innovations such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and the Internet of Things, are exciting digital developments but also invoke a fear of loss of control for many in a “black box society”. In particular, they may accelerate the exclusion of many in the developing world. This plenary Session will examine the role of machines now and over the next decade or so; the opportunities and challenges this presents to society; and its impact on human interaction and societal well-being.  It will argue that technological and digital transformation must not lead to widening disparities within societies and between nations, and it will focus on how new technologies can be used to advance development in the world’s poorer and more vulnerable states.

The Arab region can achieve better development outcomes if it invests in research and development and develops its research capacities. As clearly articulated in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, science and technology are important “means of implementation”. The power of science should/can be leveraged to accelerate the achievement of development goals in the region. Unfortunately, the Arab region continues to lag behind developed - and even several developing - countries in terms of science and technology indicators and knowledge at large. There is a dire need in the Arab region for an ethical framework that promotes and guides the quality, integrity, and independence of research activities, supports multi-disciplinarity, and protects the individual and society from the possible negative implications of science and technology; an ethical framework that ensures that science serves society in the region.

 

Conscious of the above-mentioned challenges, Arab experts in the field of ethics, science and technology gathered in Beirut from 11 to 12 July 2017 in a regional meeting on “Ethics in Scientific Research and Technology Applications in the Arab Region”. Organized by UNESCO (Cairo and Beirut offices), the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research, the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology of Egypt, and ESCWA Technology Center, the meeting reviewed relevant regional experiences  towards learning and exploring the value and possibility of elaborating a regional charter of research ethics. The personal participation of Her Royal Highness Pincess Sumaya bint el Hassan in the meeting gave a great impetus to this initiative

 

As a result of the meeting, participants agreed regarding the need to develop an “Arab Charter of Ethics for Scientific Research and Technology Applications.” UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science in the Arab States was entrusted by all participants to lead and coordinate the process of drafting the Arab Charter, in collaboration with the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research and other organizing parties.

 

The Arab Charter of Ethics will:

-            be comprehensive, covering research in all fields of science, including the social and human sciences;

-            build on global and regional experiences in the area of ethics, be of high standard, and have as its ultimate objective to serve people in the Arab region;

-            reflect the specificities of the region, notably the particular challenges affecting scientific research and technology development activities (including those facing researchers, research subjects and other stakeholders);

-            be elaborated following an inclusive consultation process involving a wide range of stakeholders

 

In order to achieve the above, a Working Group was established to collaboratively formulate the Arab Charter. The Working Group members are distinguished experts from the region, specializing in ethics, science and technology and law. At least three rounds of consultations are foreseen: a) with Experts who participated in the Regional Consultation that took place in Beirut, July 2017; b) with participants at the World Science Forum; c) with non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders through a public debate.

The primary objective of this parallel session is to present, and stimulate discussion around a first draft of the Arab Charter of Ethics for Scientific Research and Technology Applications. The session will benefit from the presence of high-caliber researchers, scientists and political figures to gather views regarding the relevance of the Charter to the challenges facing research in the region, and its appropriateness for the task it was formulated for. The session will also contribute to highlighting the issue of ethics in science and technology in developing countries and the world.

As a result of this session, ideas will be generated and inputs will be collected that will support the Working Group in refining the first draft of the Charter into a solid, legally-sound, and region-specific document. It is expected that the final Charter would be submitted to the League of Arab States for possible adoption by the Arab Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and implementation across the region.

The Jordanian diaspora and relevant international networks could be helpful in the process of building knowledge bridges generating opportunities and bi-lateral relations in joint Research and Development programmes, funding venues and other knowledge transfer avenues to pursue.   In turn, research collaboration in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) is increasingly becoming the main driver for socioeconomic development and sustainability. At the same time, governments and policy makers have a role in linking together their diaspora members to maximize the possible gains for the benefit of migration.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, HE Ayman Al Safadi will deliver remarks at the session opening on the impact that Diasporas have on development of their home countries.  The session will host several Jordanian academics, living abroad, to share their scientific endeavors, and current & future opportunities in connecting Diasporas to development. The session will present a national initiative; Jordanian Scientists and Technologists Abroad (JoSTA) presented by HE, Dr Khaled Elshuraydeh, Secretary General of the Higher Council for Science and Technology in Amman, Jordan, to show case a programme that was formed upon the directives and guidance of HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal with a vision to achieve high economic growth and prosperity through partnerships between Jordanian scientist abroad and their peers in Jordan.
Moreover, the proposed session will also include two prominent scientists from the USA; Professor Ali Malkawi of Harvard University and Professor Issa Batarseh of University of Central Florida to speak about the significant role the Jordanian diaspora can play in Jordan’s economic and technological development, each from his own professional activities to benefiting Jordan. Another young scientist, Dr Noor Gammoh of the University of Edinburgh, will present her cancer research and how she can benefit Jordan through different channels of collaboration between Jordan and the UK.

There are several challenges of communicating science, which include engaging formally with the public about science, the special complexities of communicating science when it is part of a public controversy (science-related controversy) and today’s complex, dynamic and competitive communication media environment.
Quiet often, because of the lack of understanding of science, several people dispute scientific claims or do not support polices that are consistent with evidence. At the same time, public engagement is crucial to facilitate the exchange of information, knowledge, perspectives, and preferences among groups with different expertise and background.
Decision makers, government agencies, and other public- and private-sector organisations seek the help and support from scientists to engage the public in discussions about important science-related issues, which makes the task of science communication more complex.
Science communication in the 21 century is facing a complex and rapidly changing media environment. New ways of communicating are constantly emerging. The way that media are affecting people’s perceptions and understanding as well as the use of science in a dynamic communication environment, creates the need for new effective approaches to cope with the emerging changes in media and facilitate people’s understanding and perception of science.

• Why and how is it important for scientists to be able to communicate science to public?
• What are the major challenges in science communications and how to overcome them?
• How scientific facts and research results are accessed, understood, shared and discussed with policy makers?
• What are the ethics of science communication?
• How can scientists use the new media (internet, social media etc) for public engagement?

Panelists:

• Stephen Cole, Chairman, Institute of Diplomacy & Business
• Fernando Salvetti, Founder & Managing Partner, Logosnet
• Professor Abdullah Khataibeh, Faculty of Education, Yarmouk University
• Professor Hanan Malkawi, Vice President for Science Engagement, Royal Scientific Society
• Dr. Yazan Smadi, Department of Electrical Engineering, Jordan University of Science & Technology

Empirical evidence shows that scientific discoveries and technological innovations led most efficiently to economic prosperity, yielding social stability and hence peaceful dignified living. However, this has not always been the case in many Arab countries. After decades of investments in education, and infrastructure for labs and research centers, the dividends did not significantly lower unemployment, curtailed the brain drain, or circumvent wars. Scientific research resulted in more publications but remained short of useful innovative solutions to the numerous overwhelming local problems.

Turning the tide is a required direction to reap relevant returns on societal investments in education, science and technology for addressing local developmental challenges and promoting more peaceful societies and prosperous countries.

The present international pressures of accelerated challenges (e.g. climate change, unemployment, energy - food - water insecurity) are concurrent with lucrative technological innovation opportunities (e.g. Internet of Things, Artificial intelligence, Big data, Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, and others). The Arab countries have the chance to channel their national and regional proven scientific research capacity and infrastructure towards developing efficient solutions to local and international challenges with a productive national innovation and technology transfer system. The main objectives of the UN ESCWA organized session on Knowledge and Technology Development and Transfer pivotal role in Local Sustainable Development are:

• to review and discus the operational and legislative frameworks of national technology development and transfer systems in the 6 project implemented countries Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, and Tunis.
• To provide a platform to discuss with distinguished panelists means of harnessing identified strengths, and established systems and related legislations for supporting economic diversification and the generation of decent employment especially for the educated youth in the Arab region

 

Science and gender equality are both vital for the achievement of the Sustainable Developments Goals (SDGs). Over the past 15 years, the global community has made a lot of effort in inspiring and engaging women and girls in science. Unfortunately, women and girls continued to be excluded from participating fully in science. Although the development of STEM fields is widely regarded as beneficial for the expansion of national economies, the underrepresentation of women in STEM represents the loss of a critical mass of talent and ideas.

This side event will include a roundtable discussion on the current situation of women and girls in science and engineering and will provide complementary perspectives on the role of women in science to achieve SDGs.

The event will also serve to inspire young man and women and will sensitize policy-makers and other stakeholders on initiatives that foster women’s contribution to sustainable development.

The discussions will enrich the debate and will emphasize and strengthen the message, at the general debate during the Forum, that gender equality in science is a key element that countries and international organizations need to take into account in formulating action plans and/or roadmaps for STI for the SDGs.

 

During the session, it will be officially launched the publication “Measuring Gender Equality in Science and Engineering:

the SAGA Toolkit”. 

The SAGA toolkit provides practical tools to monitor and evaluate gender equality and to integrate gender aspects in science, technology and innovation (STI) policies. The lack of data from which to draw useful indicators can obstruct the design, monitoring and evaluation of STI policies aimed at gender equality.

Considering the themes covered and the type of audience attending the event, the World Science Forum is the ideal platform to present and launch the SAGA Toolkit. The exchange and the dissemination of best practices and innovative methodologies to address gender imbalance, which are evident around the world, are important to improve mainstreaming gender into research, innovation, and policy.

 

The conclusions and recommendations of the round table will be shared among the World Science Forum’s participants and among the other networks.

 

The importance of the contribution of women in science cannot be excluded from the forum, considering that WSF is a platform for improved dialogue and collaboration between the scientific community, private sector, government and civil society. 

In a globalised world where people and goods are constantly circulating, the risk of global threats in the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives (CBRNE) areas is increasing, in tandem with the risk of intensification of terrorist threats and the number of tense political situations worldwide. In order to fulfil public health and security requirements, countries must not only continually improve the legal framework and its implementation, but also develop the capacity to identify and prevent potential emerging risks that can affect their population and environment. It is therefore most apt to address the counter-measures via a multi-dimensional approach straddling over CBRNE and Human Factors, with the view for security risk reduction.
CBRNE approach - Science plays a central role in this context and the constant research developments are crucial when it comes to securing societies against CBRNE threats. The knowledge and tools provided by the scientific research contribute continuously to enhance the resilience of societies against natural and man-made disasters; to fight crime and terrorism; to improve border security; and to provide enhanced cyber-security. This includes a wide-range of areas and competences, such as crisis management, protection of critical infrastructure, border protection, forensics, detection technologies, secure information sharing, protection against explosives, supply chain security, etc.
Based on the scientific innovation and knowledge, there is also the need to reach out globally to best practices though capacity building activities such as training. These reinforce the building of capacity to better prevent, detect, respond and recover in case of CBRNE accidents or incidents. Acknowledging the global, multi-dimensional and cross-border nature of the security threat, the EU CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE) initiative joins excellence in science with operational expertise in diverse areas. The network includes regional, national and community levels of intervention, from policy makers, coordination agencies, research institutions, academia to operational services. It includes as well a focus on outreach for educators and researchers for formal training, capacity building, sharing of best practices and awareness-raising in CBRN security and safety.
Cultural Factors - In addition, cultural factors can influence security and safety in CBRN more broadly. Through MESIS, this thematic session will learn about its competency in looking at how cultural and human factors can shape outcomes of adversarial (example: arms treaty negotiations) and non-adversarial situations (such as training). MESIS undertook several work streams such as organizing workshops in the UK to examining this issue, developed a signage campaign (i,e, posters) for Jordan’s first nuclear research reactor that are distributed within the facility to reinforce safety and security practices by focussing on very locally and culturally framed messages (hospitality culture, honour, shame etc…). This is part of a project that MESIS led to develop a human reliability or trustworthiness program for employees of the reactor. These types of programs are common for facility or sectors where human reliability is required to mitigate against the potential threat of insiders.
Human Factors approach - Security is implemented not only using technologies but also by competent staff. With security threats today delivered in multi-dimensional forms (i.e. low-order attacks and high-impact operations) and wearing down the security frontline officers whose vigilance are on the high to look out for irregularities in their operational environment, the weakest links could be in the human operator and the minds of the perpetrators. There is, therefore, a need to discuss the intricacies of human factors application in the security domain.  The main objective is to develop a more effective human-system integration design, ensuring a better overall system performance by the operators of security.
Brain research is an emerging science, leveraged by the Human Factors discipline, to enhance the human limitations in deciphering the human intents and behaviour, sense-making and decision-making in the world of hidden truths and mega voluminous data. This area has high relevance in the real-world setting ranging from law enforcement, border security, counter-terrorism to justice administration, and many other areas, greatly augmenting the sense-making and decision-making of the security, law enforcement and justice functions.
Raising awareness on the science of human factors and understanding the concept of the human-in-the-loop is important as the mental and physical well-being of the security operator, whose vigilance and fatigue are critical factors to the success of daily operations, are essential. Nevertheless, human factors are often the weakest link and disregarded at operational level, what could give rise to security and safety lapses.

We are living in an historic period of global dislocation and migration. In the Middle East/North Africa alone, war and civil conflict in recent years have forced millions of people to leave their homes. Most have arrived in adjoining countries such as Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. Some 1.5 million have arrived in Europe. Others have travelled as far as South Africa, Malaysia, Canada and Brazil.
Among them are uncounted thousands of professionals and students in science-related fields. For example, by one count, Syria had 31,000 doctors before its civil war. Today, half are gone. Meanwhile, other displaced and refugee scientists from across the region are scattered to neighbouring countries, or to Europe and North America. There is an urgent need to help them continue their careers so as to avoid the irreversible loss of scientific capital; they will be of utmost importance when the time comes to rebuild their conflict-torn countries and economies.
"An ocean apart: the journey of refugee scientists" is a new documentary film produced by Italian filmmaker Nicole Leghissa and The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). The film, making its global premier at the World Science Forum, explores the struggles of researchers who have been forced by war and conflict to leave Iraq, Syria and Yemen. Additional insight is provided by experts from the UK, Lebanon, Canada and Germany.
Arriving in the adjacent countries or in Europe, these displaced scientists are determined to continue their work or their studies, but they are confronted by daunting professional and personal challenges. The destination countries, both in the MENA region and in Europe, have often made significant sacrifices and investments to accommodate them. But jobs and support are difficult to find; among policymakers and the public, there may be insufficient awareness that some refugees have research skills and experience that can be of great benefit to their new communities. But these skills can be put to use only if the destination countries identify the scientists and engineers and provide training, employment and other support.
A five-minute trailer of "An ocean apart" will be shown to open the session. The film presents a scientific story, but also a deeply human story, about men and women who are living precariously and often invisibly in their new countries. They are struggling to find a place in this new world, and dreaming of the day when they can return home to help rebuild.
The panel discussion will explore in deeper detail the experience of refugee scientists, their needs, and key issues for top policymakers and educational leaders in the MENA region, Europe and North America. The discussion will also highlight and discuss the UNESCO Science@Risk Initiative, which promotes the comprehensive protection of the global scientific capital in cases of violent conflict and disasters.
To achieve this goal, the Science@Risk Initiative focuses on four key objectives: (i)  to protect and valorize of the human scientific capital in cases of natural disasters or violent conflicts; (ii) to foster open data, free flow of information and sharing of Scientific knowledge to and from region afflicted by violent conflicts and disasters; (iii) to safeguard the natural scientific archives, including  the climate archives, such as glacial ice/ice core, climate historical and instrumental records; (iv) to protect the built scientific infrastructure, such as universities, libraries, and laboratories.

At the heart of Agenda 2030 is inclusion and leaving no-one behind.  The SDGs were shaped following the largest consultation programme in UN history, drawing on a series of “global conversations”: the goals are owned by citizens of the world.   Their implementation will require the best minds, resources, business models and innovations from all sectors and with all parts of society embracing them. 
This thematic session will explore how the global science community is supporting the SDGs, through the lens of three different constituencies: the established science community, the next generation of science leaders, and the general public, focusing on the MENA region.
With representative voices from the established science community, the next generation of science leaders, and the general public, this session will complement plenary and other thematic sessions at WSF 2017, as well as the efforts of other participating international networks of scientists who support global policy agendas - such as the International Council for Science (ICSU) and International Network of Global Science Advisers (INGSA). One important question for the global science community is how organised science – including academies, multilateral agencies and established science fora - will need to adapt to better empower their constituencies and deliver knowledge that supports the SDGs agenda more effectively.

The appalling and relentless conflict in Syria has tested regional and global resilience to an unforeseen level and has shown trans-border resilience mechanisms to be severely lacking. The Syrian catastrophe has highlighted how borders matter little when entire populations are made desperate by the breakdown of social and political order. How can the science and policy communities work together to build mechanisms to cope with threats to communities and societies in conflict situations or in response to other crises such as emerging infectious diseases and pandemics, or the effects of climate change? This session will examine how resilience mechanisms may be built to support human dignity and emphasise our universal rights and common humanity

Young researchers and the communities to which they belong have an important role to play in science diplomacy, promoting peace through the establishment of shared communities and research collaborations. While young researchers across the world are embracing this role, there is an evolution of skills required by researchers to engage in our increasingly complex world. This session will highlight the essential skills of the future that researchers have to develop to advance science diplomacy initiatives and provide transboundary and transdisciplinary science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) innovations to tackle the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and expand career opportunities in the 21st century and beyond. Panel members will present case studies that showcase community- building projects undertaken by young research scientists to promote peace and bridge divides in their countries and regions. These case studies highlight an ever-changing skillset required by researchers in order to have impact on the world around them and the international institutions, such as UNESCO, ICoRSA, GYA, CRDF Global, World Association of Young Scientists (WAYS: Global and Arab region) that enhance and support their initiatives. The Jobs of the Future (JOF) initiative was developed to address the SDGs at the 2015 World Science Forum and has gained support by European Commission to expand its reach and scale to other initiatives and organisations to collaborate.

Objectives:

To showcase community and peace building efforts of young researchers in an arena where they can interact with high level parliamentarians and policy makers.
2. To present the Jobs of the Future Initiative as a means to highlight the evolving skills ecosystem required for

young researchers to address major societal challenges and the role that different multilateral sectors play to support these researchers.
 To explore the opportunities young researchers have to advance new science diplomacy efforts while expanding and diversifying future career choices.

The Science diplomacy case studies and JOF initiative will showcase how a scientist-driven approach can produce jobs and skills development towards addressing the SDGs and addressing other transnational challenges. The cases highlighted serve as scalable models for similar initiatives around the world. The outcome is designed to empower and inspire young researchers, scientists, engineers and technologists to take proactive roles in their communities drive towards harmonious existence, and assist other stakeholders in the goal of obtaining a peaceful planet. Additionally, the summary of the session will be submitted for publication.

A 2017 American documentary film directed by Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk about former United States Vice President Al Gore's continuing mission to battle climate change. The sequel to An Inconvenient Truth (2006), the film addresses the progress made to tackle the problem and Gore's global efforts to persuade governmental leaders to invest in renewable energy, culminating in the landmark signing of 2016's Paris Agreement. The film was released on July 28, 2017, by Paramount Pictures.

 Former Vice President Al Gore continues his tireless fight, traveling around the world to train an army of activists and influence international climate policy. Cameras follow him behind the scenes -- in moments both private and public, funny and poignant -- as he pursues the inspirational idea that while the stakes have never been higher, the perils of climate change can be overcome with human ingenuity and passion.

Rebuilding broken societies where natural or manmade catastrophes have prevailed is imperative to effect recovery and achieve stability, and to bring peace and socio-economic development to an affected region.
Post-conflict countries face particular development and security challenges as they move toward economic recovery. These countries are often characterised by insecurity and lawlessness, poor or corrupt economies, and a lack of social services and cohesion. Building enduring peace in war-torn areas is a formidable challenge which requires an understanding of managing the sometimes conflicting tensions between short-term recovery and long-term reconstruction and development.
This plenary session will explore how science can help to rebuild broken societies, with a focus on post-conflict countries. Intuitively, science can bring knowledge and rigour to understanding immediate and longer-term needs, informing roadmaps and long-term investment plans for building prosperity and improving the lives of affected people. Some post-conflict nations, such as Rwanda and Vietnam, have put this into practice and are now benefiting from the pursuit of science-for-development strategies. This session will explore lessons learned and whether there are transferrable practices that can be institutionalised and replicated in other post-conflict nations or those in transition. It will explore whether developing robust science infrastructure should be an integral part of reconstruction and recovery.

The aim of this event is to explore establishing a Gender Summit platform for the Arab World, which would join similar platforms already active in Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Africa, and Latin America.  The Gender Summit was created in 2011 with the aim to enable dialogue and consensus between scientists, gender scholars, policy makers and stakeholders in science endeavours on the improvements needed where scientific evidence shows unequal quality of research outcomes for women and men, or results that open up new research questions and applications for science knowledge with benefits for society.  This event brings together Arab and international scientists and policy makers to start the dialogue and map out topics that are particularly relevant in the Arab context, as well as those of shared interest.

Current geo-political challenges in the Middle East impact how researchers and policy makers can manage radicalisation among youth. New forms of extremism are likely to re-emerge despite the military defeat of Daesh, particularly that the political and socio-economic structures and ideologies that contributed to the phenomenon remain intact in the region. Recent developments in Europe also point to an increase in radical lone wolves compared to earlier threats of organised armed groups. These challenges raise important question into best approaches to manage radicalisation as a spiritual-ideological quest, and as a response to structural frustrations.
This session draws on multi-disciplinary research in Europe and the Middle East with insight from field research with fighters and returnees to addresses crucial questions like:

• How does the spiritual factor enhance or undermine CVE efforts? How the spiritual interacts with the structural in understanding radicalisation and necessary CVE efforts?
• How can policy makers and CVE stakeholders introduce behavioural and ideological transformations that can delegitimise extremist ideologies?
• What are the prospects and challenges for reintegrating returnees in local communities with the current legal and communal infrastructure?
• How can current knowledge and practices on CVE be revised and re-designed for efficient preventive CVE measures?

The ability to perform science and innovation is distributed unequally; only scientists from few countries have the means to address problems affecting the world. This is often perpetuated by the absence of strong scientific leadership and sustainable mentoring traditions, lack of an idea generation system, or underdeveloped institutional foundations. To the best scientists in the world, the highest calling is to elevate the minds of the most promising emerging scholars, equipping them with the mental tools to pursue a career of discovery. Thus, the ability to provide global mentorship provides hope for the future of science. Scholars involved on either end of this relationship will be able to share and foster core values such as respect for the value of knowledge and acceptance of working with different cultures. On a practical level, the ability to extend mentoring relationships to a global stage may counteract problems like human capital flight – sometimes referred to as “brain drain”. The shift in viewpoint from a local community of researchers to a global one will infuse all areas of science with new ideas and skillsets, increase learning opportunities for scientists at large, and tackle informational and technological challenges that are associated with local problems before they become global. The vision of a global science network fueled by mentoring is ambitious, but is proving achievable.
The session will highlight global science activities, introduce research and scientific outreach programs, present capacity building case studies, and detail accomplishments achieved by emerging scholars who have plugged into a quickly developing global science network of researchers. The context will then be set to demonstrate how providing global mentorship leads to opportunities in scientific research, which benefits emerging scholars, countries, and even regions as a whole.

Adopted by the UN just a year before Donald Trump’s election and the rise of ‘America First’, the subsequent collapse of the planned US-Asia trade bloc, the UK Brexit Referendum and the call for reform of NAFTA, NATO and the UN system, this session examines whether the 17 Sustainable Development Goals underpinned by 169 targets were always based on ideology and unrealistic promises or might, in fact, deliver action and results. Concrete case-studies spotlighting future health-care and how climate is literally ‘changing us’ are given, alongside a technical demonstration of upcycled mobile technology monitoring and protecting remote forests, enabling real-time interventions.  

With speakers from the US, Europe and Asia working very much at the heart of efforts to tackle climate change, poverty, public health and much else, we examine if achieving the SDGs is wishful thinking, perhaps the dying embers of a bygone era of global cooperation? We will question if artificial intelligence and technological disruption, geopolitical rivalry, widening social inequality and growing populist calls for nationalist policies, including trade protectionism, fed by rising contempt for international cooperation, are too strong a headwind for the SDGs to succeed. In particular, the role of STI as a leveler of the playing field and global-good-enabler versus as a catalyst for winner-take-all competition whereby hubs seize access to knowledge and power, leaving less-privileged groups, classes, sectors, and regions struggling to compete, will be spotlighted.  

Against the backdrop of fiscal restraints in the richer countries, coupled with emerging markets weakened by lower commodity prices making paying for such public goods all the more unappealing, the panel will equally signpost where the SDGs are, in fact, already making an important difference. They will argue that in a world of 65 million refugees compared to 1.6 million in 1960, the SDGs provide a necessary blueprint for tackling destructive politics in water-stressed and conflict-affected countries where governments are fragile and failing. In addition, multilateral institutions need to be upgraded and restructured, with effective decision-making and implementation mechanisms for managing global development and social peace challenges such as infrastructure gaps, migration, climate change, and financial instability.

Organiser: Osamu Kobayashi (JP), Director, Department of International Affairs, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).

Co-organiser: Thomas Hartung (DE), Thomas Hartung, MD PhD, Doerenkamp-Zbinden Professor & Chair for Evidence-based Toxicology, The Johns Hopkins University.

Goals or own-goals? The back-story to setting the SDG’s and progress to-date

In 2015, the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development set 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) unanimously adopted by 193 UN Members. These lock in the coordinates for the direction the entire world should take with 169 universally binding targets for all nations and for all stakeholders. My talk unravels the politics, the science and the economics underpinning the SDGs, reviewing how they came about as a successor to the Millennium Development Goals. I will identify the tortoises and the hares in the race to successfully implement them, while pointing to those best practices we can already credit certain actors with on the road to 2030. Above all, I will champion the pivotal role of science, technology and innovation as the bedrock of any eventual full or partial success.

New technologies driving the future of healthcare and public health

Health – well-being and longevity – costs countries world-wide an average of 10% of their GDP. In the US, it stands at 17%, rising to 20% by 2025. As try to reach the many SDG targets, my talk will examine the sustainability of the status quo. I will demonstrate how new technologies and their implementation will be the deciding factor in our successes and failures in harvesting the societal benefits of these massive investments. In particular, I will spotlight new test and prevention strategies for toxic exposures to illustrate the tremendous changes we are facing. While the West moves onto 21st century solutions and beats the drum for the 4th industrial revolution, is it acceptable to share with other poorer regions only the 20th century health-care technologies we are leaving behind? 

Environmental SDGs through the eyes of an insider

Future Tech Video Demonstration:

Topher White (USA), Founder, Rainforest Connection, California.

Trees that can talk: how upcycled mobile technology can monitor and protect remote forests, enabling real-time interventions.

While political struggles have failed to bring stability to the Middle East, the Malta Conferences Foundation (MCF) has developed an approach that leverages a common science heritage to define regional challenges, develop potential mitigation strategies, and motivate appropriate multinational responses. In 2001, the idea was born to bring Middle East scientists together to share their research and ideas and form multinational collaborations to solve common regional problems including deteriorating environment, climate change, nuclear and chemical security, inadequate educational institutions, and water scarcity. Using science as a common language, solutions for security, potable water, clean air, green energy, and science education have been initiated through cross-boundary, multi-disciplined, scientific teams.  Rather than relying on overbearing input from outside the region, this effort aims at using regional scientific cooperation as a bridge to peace.
The Malta Conferences are the only platform where scientists from 17 MENA countries (Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian Territory, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates) can meet face-to-face with five Nobel Laureates for five days, develop collaborations and friendships.
In this session, we will discuss the challenges of organizing these unique international conferences, which are related to visas, culture, distrust, funding, and personal risk.  The means of establishing a safe, neutral location and an effective format that is conducive to cooperative scientific dialogue will also be examined.  The progress made during the seven biennial conferences will be reviewed as will our plans to expand their future impact.
Although MCF has faced many challenges, much progress has been made. Advances in water science offer an example of how the science-based regional approach can offer cross-border solutions. MCF succeeded in bringing together scientists and engineers from neighboring countries to work on transboundary water resources, regional water quality, the Gaza Strip water crisis, initiatives on water and energy nexus, and feasible solutions for water scarcity. Because MCF believes that science education is a human right that belongs to all, collaborations were formed to develop a unified curriculum for the Middle East, which will make science accessible to all.
This panel will provide an overview of how the Malta Conferences Foundation uses science for peace in the Middle East, a model which could be implemented in other regions of conflict.

Because of their high costs and multidisciplinary use, large-scale synchrotron light sources facilities provide strong opportunities for integration through networking and cost-sharing, and promote multi-disciplinary collaboration with the wider global community, while promoting science diplomacy and peace at large. Following the SESAME example– the Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East –, the thematic session will use as its basis, the UNESCO-IUPAP-IUCr project “Light sources for Africa, the Americas and the Middle East”, to showcase how light sources have revolutionized research in many science and technology disciplines and have contributed to the socio-economic development of countries and regions by:

• creating international scientific communities, fostering cooperation;
• improving education and creating job opportunities;
• discussing the steps-forward following the establishment of light sources in the South (mainly, Africa and Latin America), while learning from the experiences of SESAME;
• increasing awareness of decision-makers of the major advances that light sources bring to these regions and the identification of the best locations for a sustainable development of such infrastructure;
• advocating through global initiatives such the International Year of Crystallography and International Year of Light, including follow-up activities;
• developing a critical mass of highly qualified human capital (including the African science diaspora) needed to reach the SDGs and regional framework agreements like the African Union Agenda 2063.

The overall objective of the session is to portray a scalable model for light sources initiatives in the developing regions. The outcome is designed to empower and inspire researchers, scientists, engineers and technologists, policy makers to take proactive roles in their countries and regions to drive towards a densified science cooperation to improve international relations between countries and to develop the human capacity that enable researchers in the Global South to get the most from light sources, and to be meaningful contributors to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Synchrotron light sources are comparable to super microscopes that probe the inner structure of matter. They produce very intense pulses of light (from infrared radiation to x-rays), with wavelengths and intensities that allow detailed studies of objects ranging in size from human cells to viruses and proteins, down to atoms, with a precision that is not possible by other means. They allow researchers to investigate the structure and properties of a wide range of materials, from proteins to provide information for designing new and better drugs, probing novel materials for biotechnology, analyzing soils for green agriculture, to engineering applications, and the examination of archeological artifacts. Light sources have become prime enablers of scientific and technological progress and innovation, conducive to sustainable development in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

The way in which society manages and uses natural resources fundamentally shapes the wellbeing of people, the environment, and the economy. With current systems of production and consumption, the ambitious level of social, ecological and economic well-being articulated in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development cannot be achieved. Inequality of access to resources, and the unequal distribution of the negative impacts to people and planet of their use, are at the heart of many conflicts both within and between countries. With a forecast human population of 9.2 billion by 2050 accompanied by continuing world economic growth, scientific minds and policy leaders have the urgent task of helping to transform how we use, and re-use, resources to secure a healthy, prosperous and peaceful future for all.
The session will explore how the science-policy interface and institutional frameworks can be strengthened to stimulate social innovation for a prosperous and peaceful future for all, which allows us to overcome various constraints and trade-offs pertaining to natural resources. This conversation will be all-inclusive, sharing accounts and viewpoints of global players from developing and developed economies.
There is ample evidence for economically attractive resource efficiency, and, cost efficient options exist in the short term in many sectors of the economy that allow for employment and economic growth while reducing resource use and attendant negative environmental and social impacts. Furthermore, these issues should not be dealt with sector by sector, as this approach will often entail serious trade-offs.  Therefore, highest priority must now be given to policies and actions that promote and enable radical decoupling of economic growth from natural resource consumption and environmental impacts, while maximizing health, well-being, and peace for all.  The nexus approach will be useful to apply the latest advancement of science and technology.
The session will bring scientists from various disciplines and policy-makers together in a conversation on how the sustainable management of natural resources based on state-of-the-art but robust scientific evidence and success stories is supporting global delivery of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Science for Cultural Relations is currently a ‘hot topic’ but by no means a new phenomenon. Ever since scientists started to examine the world around them, they have worked with counterparts in other countries to share observations, and discuss and refine their ideas. This leads them to build relationships with people from different backgrounds and cultures where the uniting thread is the science itself, rather than political views or cultural norms.
In this session, we will use a combination of talks by speakers and discussion in small groups to explore the past, present and future of science as a means to establish long-term relationships, built on mutual trust and respect. We will also take the opportunity to have the discussion led by young researchers who will be able to feed in their vision for Science for Cultural Relations in a ‘post-truth’ world.

While international science cooperation has long served the interests of science, there is increasing interest and focus on the role of science to promote diplomatic interests. These may serve a country’s own direct interests which will depend on a country’s size, geopolitics and state of development – for example, in projecting a country’s reputation and influence, for promoting trade, for attracting scientific expertise and knowhow, and for technology access. Science diplomacy may also be necessary to promote common cross-border interests in areas such as environmental or resource management or in disaster or crisis management. Science diplomacy’s essential role in vital global agendas, as reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals, or in the management of the ungoverned spaces of the planet (such as the polar regions, deep oceans and space) further emphasises how central science diplomacy is to the theme of Science for Peace. This session will explore these different dimensions of science diplomacy and help to establish a framework for fulfilling the goals set by earlier plenary sessions.