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NEWS
World Federation of
Science Journalists
created
Representatives from 14
international, national and regional organisations from around
the world, meeting in Brazil have agreed to form a World
Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ), recognizing the
increasing international nature of science communication.
In the Declaration of
the Third World Conference of Science Journalists at Sao Jose
dos Campose, Brazil, the participating science journalists and
science communicators further resolved that "The new
organisation is designed to bridge scientists and society
worldwide by creating network for the exchange of information,
improving access to scientific and technical information sources
and facilitating training and education of journalists
particularly those in the developing world. Our goal is to
promote and improve the quality, accuracy and pre of science
reporting in all types of media".
The founders have
adopted a constitution that will allow membership through
journalists and national associations in all fields of science,
including technology, health and environment.
The constitution was
presented to the more than 300 participants attending the Third
World Conference of Science Journalists held at the University
do Vale do Paraiba, Jose dos Campos, in Brazil.
The constitution will be
presented to perspective member organizations for ratification.
The WFSJ will have its headquarters at the European Science
Foundation in Stasbourg, France.
The first General
Assembly is expected to be held during our 4th World Conference
September in 2004 in Montreal. Canada.
ISWA organises 2nd National Science
Communication Congress - 2002
The 2nd National Science
Communication Congress (NSCC - 2002) was organised by Indian
Science Writers' Association at Indian Lac Research Institute,
Ranchi (Jharkhand) during December 20 - 21, 2002 with the
objective of providing a forum for researchers and practitioners
of science communi-cation to discuss their views and share
findings to accelerate the pace of science communication in the
country.
Samresh Singh, Minister
of Science & Technology, Jharkhand, inaugurated the Congress. In
his inaugural address, Singh appreciated the programme and hoped
that it would bring science communicators, science journalists,
scientists, academicians, science writers, technologists and
science activists, etc., together to share their innovative
ideas, problems, newer ways and means for developing science
communication as a tools for country's overall development.
Madhu Kora, Minister of REO, Jharkhand was the Guest of the
Honour on this occasion. Dr. Majoj Patairiya, Honorary
Secretary, ISWA and Editor IJSC in his address gave an
introduction to various activities of ISWA and described the
aims, objectives and basic concept of the Congress.
The congress was divides
into 5 technical sessions, i.e. (i) Emerging scientific issues
and public response, (ii) Global vs local subjects of science
reporting, (iii) Sources of scientific information, (iv)
Scientist-journalist interface, and (v) Science writing in
Indian languages. Over 100 delegates from all over the country
participated in the congress. Some 30 presentations were spread
over these 5 technical sessions. The technical sessions had
presentation of invited talks and contributory research papers.
The delegates also participated in split group discussions to
draw conclusions. An exhibition of various science periodicals
in Indian languages was also organized during NSCC-2002.
This year's ISWA
Honorary Fellowship was announced for His Excellency President
of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam for his unprecedented contribution
towards science popularisation, especially among children. Mr.
Basant K. Das (a popular science writer in Oria language) and
Mr. Irfan Human (a popular science writer in Hindi language)
jointly shared this year's ISWA National Award for Popular
Science Writing in Hindi language) jointly.
Annual General Meeting
of ISWA also took place on 21st December in the evening
following the Congress. On a proposal from ISWA Andhra Pradesh
Chapter, it was unanimously decided that the NSCC-2003 would be
organised in Andhra Pradesh. ISWA Jharkhand Chapter hosted the
NSCC-2002.
International
Conference on Public Communication of Science & Technology
The 7th International
Conference on Public Communication of Science & Technology, (PCST
- 7), was held at University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South
Africa during December 03 - 07, 2002. This conference on the
theme ‘Science Communication in a Diverse World’ was organised
by the Public Communication of Science & Technology Network (PCST),
in association with the Foundation for Education, Science &
Technology (FEST), Department of Arts, Culture, Science &
Technology, South Africa. Mr. Anuj Sinha, Adviser and Head,
Science Communication and Science & Society Divisions, DST and
Dr. Majoj Patairiya, Scientist in NCSTC participated in the
conference. A country paper on ‘Emerging Scenario of Science
Journalism in India’ was presented in a parallel technical
session on ‘Focus on Scientists’.
The conference aimed at
exchanging experiences and presenting results of research and
development in science and technology communication and their
confluence with society. There were 47 parallel technical and 3
plenary sessions on various aspects of science and technology
communication, including four poster sessions. Some 400
scientists, educationists, science communicators, journalists
and writers participated from around the world.
An international
workshop ‘Achieving Public Understanding of Research in
Developing Countries’ was organised by the Department of Science
Communication, Cornell University with support from the U.S.
National Science Foundation (NSF) and South Africa's Foundation
for Education, Science and Technology (FEST), during December 08
- 2002 in MTN Science Centre, Cape Town, South Africa,
immediately following the PCST-7. The workshop brought together
scholars and practitioners of science communication from around
the world, especially from the developing world. Shri Sinha and
Dr. Patairiya also participated in this workshop and a position
statement on ‘Public Understanding of Science in India :
Challenges and Prospects’ was presented.
Participants discussed
various aspects of comparative analysis of S&T communication in
India and rest of the world. Emphasis was given on the need of
young science communicator with new ideas to come in the
facilitate public understanding of research, especially in
developing countries.
It was heartening to
observe that most science communication efforts in India are
unique and unparalleled anywhere in the world. Our science
communicators emerge as leaders in this field in developing and
developed countries. |