On 09 December 2020, a TV forum themed "Science in an uncertain world” was held to discuss the important role science literacy plays in responding to global challenges. Participants included Nobel Prize laureates, academician at home and abroad, representatives of social science organizations and young scientists. Dr. Linxiu Zhang, TWAS fellow, and Director of the United Nations Environment Programme-International Ecosystem Management Partnership (UNEP-IEMP), was invited to participate in the panel discussion in the forum.
Participants agreed that as the world is facing complicated and severe challenges such as the politicization of scientific issues, addressing global challenges should be a common mission for not only the politicians and elites but also the media, scientists and the public. Science literacy is a cornerstone of global governance. The more extensive people have science literacy, the more capable the public is to shoulder responsibilities and meet the ever-evolving challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the panel session, Director Zhang talked about science literacy and the reason why it is important in an uncertain world today. She stressed that policy-making is usually science-based. The scientists have the responsibility to generate science knowledge and to help governments shape their policies, but the implementation of policies need the involvement of all the stakeholders including the public even they do not well understand the science behind the policies. Higher science literacy of the general public indicates people’s stronger ability to understand the science behind the policies, as well as their ability to better act upon it.
Director Zhang participated in the panel discussion of the forum
The forum was jointly held by the CGTN Think Tank and the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST).
To watch the replay of the forum, please use the CGTN App. The forum was broadcasted on 18 December, 2020 during 13:00-15:00 and on 19 December, 2020 during 22:00-24:00.
To read the CGTN news on the forum, please click here.
