IAP Young Scientists Tianjin 2008

  ... New: Quotations from Young Scientists who participated in the first IAP/WEF Joint Venture

Background information to the Pilot Venture in 2008

IAP at the "Summer Davos", Tianjin, 2008
The InterAcademy Panel on International Issues (IAP) organized two events at the World Economic Forum’s 2008 Meeting of the New Champions, held in Tianjin, China, from 26 to 28 September 2008.

Science, in its recent issue of 3 October (vol 322) contains a summary of the events - The World Economic Forums' second annual “New Champions” meeting featured workshops on managing science and frontier science, organized in conjunction with IAP. Plenary sessions on nanotechnology and life sciences also took place with IAP's young scientists engaged as panellists. The young scientists embraced the idea that they needed to engage with the business community in language that the latter could understand... 
Download the full article in Science by Richard Stone.

Also known as the ‘Summer Davos’, the New Champions Meeting brought together a group of young ‘champions’ – individuals younger than 40 – who had a proven track record of success in fields related to business, politics, technology and science and provide a platform for the leaders of tomorrow to exchange ideas and learn from one another. More than 1500 people attended. IAP and the Forum are now considering the results of this pilot venture to develop future joint activities.

More information ...
The two sessions organized by IAP on Friday 26 September focused on ‘managing science for a better world‘ and the 'role of frontier science in shaping society’. More than 40 outstanding young scientists, proposed by IAP members and selected through a competitive merit-based process, participated in the sessions. The discussions were facilitated by a number of eminent scientists, including Bruce Alberts, editor-in-chief of Science, and former president of the US National Academy of Sciences; Howard Alper, Chair of the Government of Canada's Science, Technology and Innovation Council, and Foreign Secretary, RSC: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada; Other resourc persons inclueded Padmasree Warrior, Chief Technology Officer, Cisco, USA, Matt Bross, Chief Technology Officer, BT, United Kingdom, Jüri Engelbrecht, President, ALLEA (All European Academies), Estonia, Mike Clegg, Donald Bren Professor of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, USA and Adam Bly, Founder, CEO, and Editor-in-Chief, Seed Media Group, USA.

“IAP is pleased to have an opportunity to participate in the New Champions Meeting”, says Howard Alper. “This event provides an unsurpassed forum for eminent young scientists from around the world to showcase their knowledge and expertise, and to explore the worlds of economics, finance and politics with equally accomplished peers in other fields.” 

“…scientists' input and interaction with other young leaders from the political and business sectors will catalyse insights, and identify new approaches to addressing economic and social sustainability…” Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum

***
Key results and additional information ...

• IAP AWARDS  2008 for the most innovative and promising projects initiated between Young Scientists and the World Economic Forum’s business community during the “Summer Davos”: Two Awards were given by IAP to young scientists who teamed up with an entrepreneur in Tianjin and submitted a proposal to IAP. The selection process was headed by the co-chairs of IAP. Winners were: Tilman Bruck (Germany) (download FINAL REPORT) and Thanth Thi Kim Nguyen (UK).
• "Passion for Science - Passion for a Better World" The IAP Young Scientists Statement, Tianjin, 2008
• My experience as an IAP Young Scientist, by Ranjini Bandyopadhyay
• "Facebook" of the participating young scientists in 2008

IAP Session Details:

Session I: Managing Science for a Better World

Session II: The Role of Frontier Science in Shaping Society

World Economic Forum website with session summaries and press releases: www.weforum.org/en/events/AnnualMeetingoftheNewChampions2008/index.htm