Special newsletter issue for Building World Science Literacy

Here we bring you a special newsletter issue for Building World Science Literacy.

As part of its efforts to promote international exchanges and cooperation, participate in crafting the international agenda on science literacy, and create a channel for people-to-people science and cultural exchanges, the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) has been engaged in various endeavors to promote public science literacy since 2018.

It seeks to boost China’s strength, soft power, and circle of friends through science popularization work to help build a global community of shared futures and meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). CAST is now leading efforts to set up the World Organization for Science Literacy (WOSL) in partnership with more than 20 science and technology organizations in Asia, Europe, Oceania and Africa. WSOL plans to be an international non-profit organization with headquarters in China’s capital Beijing.

WOSL seeks to promote positive interaction between science and technology and society at the broadest level. With science and technology penetrating every aspect of our lives at unprecedented speed and scale, it is increasingly turning society into a community with a shared future. While science and technology can push societal progress and enrich minds, it also creates risks and uncertainties that cannot be over- looked. The science community must abide by strict integrity and ethical standards to ensure full understanding and participation of the public and maximize the value of science and the overall and long-term interest of humanity.

WOSL takes its mission and responsibilities to heart. Science literacy is an intrinsic requirement for a person to achieve all- around development, the social foundation for a nation to achieve innovative capabilities and sustainable development, and the ideological under- pinning for a society to build tolerance, understanding and inclusiveness. Science literacy entails a good understanding of scientific knowledge and methods, and it is also reflected in respect for scientific spirit and thought. Improving science literacy is vitally important to the future of a person and a nation alike. It kindles the wisdom and capability to overcome risks and challenges to jointly build a prosperous world.

WOSL is working with its partners to bridge gaps in science literacy. Given the global imbalance of public science literacy and weaknesses in international exchange and cooperation mechanisms, it is imperative to raise public science literacy and provide people access and opportunities for development. All countries should expand efforts to popularize scientific education, eliminate barriers impeding sharing of science knowledge, narrow the knowledge and development gaps, and contribute to global sustainable development.

WOSL seeks to provide fair and equitable access to science resources. All people should have access to science education and the right to enjoy modern civilization irrespective of their origins or social group. WOSL will do all it can to protect and stimulate young people’s passion for science, help the poorest groups narrow the gap in science literacy, dissolve the shackles of poverty, and empower women with the dignity nurtured by science literacy.

For more information about WOSL, like its developments, its members and abstracts about international science popularization, please click here and download the Special newsletter issue for Building World Science Literacy.

Download: Special newsletter issue for Building World Science Literacy.pdf