“Children of the WSF”

Young researchers announced the formation of the World Academy of Young Scientists (WAYS) on the closing session of the World Science Forum (Budapest, Hungary, 8-10 November 2003; http://www.sciforum.hu). Speaking in the Hungarian Parliament on the World Science Day (Fig.1.), the young scientists described their mission: “to create a permanent global network for the young scientific community that provides regular input into decision-making on science and technology”. General Delegate of WAYS, György Pálfi explained the „double objective” of the new worldwide organization: “to provide an environment to carry out quality scientific research and actively participate in science policy and decision-making”.

The international interest in the development of a worldwide network of young researchers is clearly reflected in the increasing number of members and supporting scientists and policy-makers. Presently the organization has some 600 members, originating from nearly 70 countries of five continents and representing all disciplines. WAYS also benefits from the support of some very valuable senior scientists, including six Nobel laureates. Besides their scientific merits, these researchers have expressed their enthusiasm for the education of youth. And what young researchers really need today is the support of well-established scientists who are eager to pass on their knowledge to the next generation.

WAYS, developed under the aegis of the UNESCO, promotes both the scientific and social interests of young scientists - principally between 15 and 40 years of age - by searching for the “ways”, both virtual and actual, to the world of science, to science worldwide, within and among different generations of scientists all over the world.

The objective is to make science more attractive for young researchers, and more comprehensible and accessible to everyone. WAYS encourages the career development of young scientists, facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration and networks among scientists of all generations and from all parts of the world, and influences policy-making worldwide. A crucial aim of the new organization is to bridge the gap between north and south. One of the young founders explained the need in terms of his own situation: Serge Sawadogo said, "I’m doing research in malaria, a disease that ravages my country. There are no facilities in Burkina Faso to study immunogenetics, so I conduct my research in France."

The Network is intended to provide a continuous voice to sensitize scientific institutions and decision-makers to the necessity of creating opportunities for young researchers in S&T, and actively involving them in their shaping.

WAYS is being formed as a continuation of the successful satellite event ("International Forum of Young Scientists" or IFYS) of the UNESCO-ICSU World Conference on Science in 1999. Recognizing the new challenges of science at the beginning of the 21st century and problems that have to be faced by young scientists, the IFYS participants decided to establish an organization that would function as a forum to communicate the opinion of young scientists to decision-makers in science policy.

In 2001, at the UNESCO General Conference in Paris, general consensus was achieved about the opening of the IFYS Secretariat in Budapest. The decision was based on Hungary's long tradition of scientific and civil institutions comprising all generations of young scientists (from secondary school through undergraduate and postgraduate studies to postdoctoral level). These young scientist organizations provide a firm background for the creation of an international network.

In 2002, the IFYS Foundation was established by the Association of Hungarian Ph.D. Students. As a legal entity, the IFYS Foundation was charged with advocating on behalf of young scientists and securing financial support to further the mission of the organization. A new name, World Academy of Young Scientists (WAYS), was also proposed. The acronym WAYS has multiple meanings: ways to access science, to encourage scientific cooperation among generations, to international scientific cooperation, to influence science policy and to eliminate barriers to scientific opportunity.

In 2003, due to the Trustee's effective lobby activity, the WAYS Secretariat was fully equipped and opened in Budapest (1 August 2003) with the support of UNESCO, the Hungarian National Commission for UNESCO, the Hungarian Ministry of Education and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. The Secretariat, located in the Computer and Automation Research Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, is presently run by two full-time employees. Mr. Balint Magyar, Minister of Education of Hungary already reported on the establishment of the WAYS Secretariat in Budapest at the UNESCO General Conference on 3 October, 2003 in Paris.

The organization made a very successful debut at the World Science Forum, Budapest - 2003 with the participation of 35 young scientists coming from 18 countries, and with the organization of the session 'Forum of Young Scientists'. The event also provided opportunity for discussing the possible structure, operation and activities of WAYS, as well as membership and partnership issues. It was decided that WAYS would develop a structure according to scientific disciplines and geographical areas, support the organization of specialized scientific events, and encourage and promote the international mobility of talented young scholars. Furthermore, an international provisional board was elected, which coordinates workgroup tasks, such as finalization of the WAYS Constitution, development of external relations, coordination of logistical tasks, fundraising and organization of the upcoming 1^st General Conference of WAYS. The work of the Secretariat, also acting as the coordinating centre of the organization, is helped by volunteers and advisory members. Presently national WAYS units are also developed with the assistance of local coordinators.

The successful debut of WAYS provided basis for numerous media appearances, such as in Science and European Voice. Science’s Next Wave presented the global network of young researchers through the portraits of two board members, Marta Maczel and György Pálfi (http://nextwave.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2004/06/02/2). Information on WAYS also appeared in newsletters and on websites, and the news on its formation reached five continents.

As a sign of international recognition, the organization got the possibility to organize its own workshop entitled "Governance of Young Scientist Associations" in the framework of the MCFA Career Programme during the EuroScience Open Forum, held between 25 and 28 August, 2004 in Stockholm (http://www.esof2004.org/ programme_events/event_detail_mcfa.asp?eventkey=216). The aim of the workshop was to give young scientists the chance to debate various aspects of the structure and central activities of WAYS, establish new forms of collaboration and partnership, and exchange visions of how to effectively include young scientists in the making of S&T policy.

WAYS, supported by UNESCO, ISESCO and the Moroccan Government, will hold its 1st General Conference in Morocco from 5 to 7 December, 2004. The information package and call for participation reached 190 countries, and the selection of delegates is in process. The "children of the WSF" are also expected back as organizing partners at the World Science Forum – 2005, and in 2006 a joint conference with the International Council for Science Unions is planned.

Meanwhile the organization is seeking the active participation of young scientists from all over the world in its development. Interested researchers and organizations are invited to visit the organization’s website (http://www.waysnet.org) or contact the WAYS Secretariat in Budapest (ways@waysnet.org).