Islamabad, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in collaboration with the Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), and ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF), organized a Convention of Scientists in Islamabad on the occasion of World Science Day for Peace and Development. The event, held at the Pakistan Science Foundation, focused on raising awareness about the quality and equitability of Pakistan’s STEM education system.
According to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), World Science Day for Peace and Development, celebrated since 2001, underscores the crucial role of science in society and the need for public engagement in scientific discussions on contemporary issues. This year’s theme, ‘Building Trust in Science,’ emphasizes the importance of trust in the development and application of science-based solutions to global challenges. The convention featured remarks from notable figures including Dr. Youssef Filali-Meknassi, Director of UNESCO Islamabad; Dr. A.S. Shahid Mahmood Baig, Chairman of PSF; Ambassador Dr. Seyed Komail Tayebi, President of ECOSF; and COMSATS Executive Director Mohammad Nafees Zakaria. They highlighted the significance of STEM education in Pakistan’s progress.
The event was attended by government officials, scientists, researchers, science communicators, and journalists. It served as a platform for discussing the enhancement of trust in science, which is vital for science-based policy decisions and societal support for their application.
In conjunction with World Science Day, UNESCO also organized three interactive sessions for students at the Pakistan Museum of Natural History in Islamabad on November 15 and 16, 2023. These sessions included hands-on activities like DNA extraction from fruits, laboratory and science communication techniques, and experiments demonstrating inertia. These activities aimed to foster student interest in STEM fields, highlighting the event’s commitment to engaging and inspiring the next generation of scientists.