The World Science Forum

The World Science Forum (WSF) was created in 1999 at the World Science Conference. It serves as a forum on science for the nations of the world. the Forum met in Budapest, Hungary in 2003, 2005 and 2007, and is to meet again in 2009 on the tenth anniversary of the World Science Conference. Its website provides information on these meetings.

The WSF convened in Budapest November 8-10, 2007 with the overarching theme "Investing in Knowledge: Investing in the Future." Attracting more than 400 scientists from over 60 countries. They included government officials and representatives of NGOs.

The WSF is a joint event of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, UNESCO and the International Council for Science. Its goal is to promote dialog and the exchange of ideas on key issues relevant to scientists and policymakers alike. The three-day program included sessions on "Science and Innovation as a Global Enterprise" (chaired by Dr. Alan Leshner in which both he and Dr. Arden Bement outlined the U.S. approaches to research funding in an increasingly interconnected global scientific environment."

Representing the United States at the 3rd Biennial World Science Forum (WSF) were Ambassador April H. Foley, the Director of the National Science Foundation, Dr. Arden Bement and the CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Dr. Alan Leshner.