ANNUAL REPORT - Australian Academy of Science

InterAcademy Panel Meeting of Young Scientists
The Academy supported the attendance of Dr James Tickner of CSIRO Minerals as the Australian
representative at the IAP’s Meeting of Young Scientists at the 2009 World Economic Forum (WEF) (also known
as the ‘Summer Davos’) in Dalian, China, from 10 to 12 September. The meeting was designed to provide
a forum for young scientists to discuss international issues and to participate in sessions of the main WEF
meeting. Discussion focused on the teaching of science to produce future innovators, and ways in which
innovation could address problems facing society.
The Academy also supported the attendance of Mr David Fisher of ABC Radio’s The Science Show, which
featured the meeting during their 14 November broadcast.
Federation of Asian Scientific Academies and Societies
Professor Kurt Lambeck FAA has assumed the presidency of the Federation of Asian Scientific Academies and
Societies (FASAS) for the period of 2010 to 2012. During this time the Academy will act as secretariat for FASAS.
FASAS was established in 1984 and currently has a membership of 15 scientific academies and societies from
the Asian region. The aims of FASAS are the promotion of S&T, and the organisation of national and regional
programs for the development of member countries. In particular, FASAS emphasises the importance of S&T
for development in the region, and the integration of S&T into national development planning and policymaking
processes.
To achieve these aims FASAS maintains the following areas of focus:
• the promotion of teaching practices of all levels of science; and
• increasing awareness of the importance of science and technology in governance, business and everyday life.
During his tenure as president of FASAS, Professor Lambeck intends to focus on increasing awareness of the
importance of science literacy and science education in the region.
The Foreign Secretary, Professor Jenny Graves FAA, attended the 2009 FASAS council meeting in Dhaka,
Bangladesh, on 9 and 10 October 2009. She gave a presentation on the Academy’s science education program
Primary Connections at the science education workshop on 10 October.
Asia-Pacific Forum on Chemical Safety and Security
Approximately 80 people attended a regional conference, Asia-Pacific Seminar on Chemical Safety and
Security to Counter Terrorism, from 10 to 12 June, which was co-hosted by the Academy, through the National
Committee for Chemistry, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Bilateral cooperation
The bilateral activities conducted by the Academy provide opportunities for Australian researchers and
government officials to meet high-level international researchers and research funders to discuss international
science and technology policy and practices, and to promote Australian research and technology capabilites.
These interactions also help to promote and strengthen long-term relationships, identify areas for future
collaboration, and increase Australia’s presence and influence at the international level.
The Academy’s bilateral activities are substantially supported by DIISR’s International Science Linkages
(ISL) – Science Academies Program. A key component of the program is a series of scientific symposia and
workshops on global issues, conducted in Australia and overseas. To enable wide dissemination of information
from the workshops the presentations and publications have been posted on the Academy’s website at
www.science.org.au/events/proceedings.html. The other component is support for international collaboration
which is reported on pages 54 to 70.
INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
ANNUAL REPORT APRIL 2009–MARCH 2010 47