Fourth World Conference on the Future of Science - Food and Water for Life

The Fourth World Conference on The Future of Science has explored a theme that puts science at the centre of the social debate: Food and Water for Life.

The aim has been to offer a global vision of problems such as water scarcity, the development of sustainable agriculture, food safety, food and health; and indicate how science and technology can contribute to solving these problems. Economic, political and ethical aspects have also been discussed.

The conference has started from the premise that all have a right to clean water and wholesome food. These are not only moral imperatives: investment to realize them will bring major economic returns.

As with past Future of Science Conferences, the fourth Conference has taken place over three days on the Island of San Giorgio in the Lagoon of Venice. Speakers of international renown from various disciplines have examined problems of food and water in the light of the affirmation of the Venice Charter that major goals of applied scientific research must be the eradication of poverty and hunger, and the provision of water for agriculture and uncontaminated water for drinking.