First World Conference on the Future of Science - Science and society

The First World Conference on the Future of Science has sprung from an awareness that the problems and dilemmas generated by unrelenting scientific and technological progress are not being adequately discussed in society as a whole.

As Science exerts an ever more pervasive influence on our lives, society seems ill-informed about the short and long term implications of scientific advance, little interested in strategic decisions regarding investment in research and unaware of the social, economic and cultural consequences of the continuing technological revolution.

The ambitious aim of the Conference has been to examine the role of science in third millennium society and to provide clear and reasoned indications to governments and society regarding the positive potential of scientific thought and the importance of scientific knowledge in tomorrow’s world.

During the three days Conference experts of international renown from various spheres and disciplines have been invited to give their points of view on these issues, which are crucial to the destiny of our society.

The fruit of the first Conference has been the signing of The Venice Charter, to alert government and public opinion to the opportunities provided by the constant growth of science and emphasize the ethical problems raised by scientific progress.