5/4/04

Plans are underway for some run-up events to the WSIS Phase 2, such as the satellite event on science and technology that will precede the Summit.

The event is called "Past, Present, and Future of Science and Technology in the Information Society" and will take place from 13-15 November 2005. This event will basically examine the role of research and the production of knowledge in the information society and is seen by the organisers as "a satellite event of WSIS without political affiliation." Organising the event is the International Advisory Council composed of representatives of its partner coalitions. This body includes the U.S. National Science Foundation, the National Research Foundation from South Africa, and the Louisiana State University also from the U.S.

The core issues of the conference were identified as the intersection of Science and Engineering, Information and Communication Technologies, and Development. It is seen as an opportunity to highlight the importance of science and engineering in the information society as well as to consider and propose solutions to the immense divide in information and communication technologies that exists in the research communities of the developing world. The conference hopes to bring together scientists and engineers from the developed and developing nations to discuss projects and form collaborations.

Three thematic areas will be the major concern of the conference, namely:

1. Science, technology, and engineering in the origin and development of the Internet.
2. Current and cutting-edge technologies and trends in the utilisation of information technology for science and engineering.
3. Constraints and opportunities that exist for the research communities of Africa, Latin America and Asia.

The conference carries the following objectives:

• Examine the relationships between academic, government, civil society, and the private sector that brought about the development of an information society.
• Increase understanding of the informational challenges of science and engineering in developing areas in an environment with many world leaders and policy makers present.
• Discuss the digital divide in science and engineering.
• Examine specific programmes that seek to reduce this divide.
• Evaluate the opportunities and constraints on the globalisation of scientific collaboration with particular reference to the developing world.
• Publish the proceedings in printed and electronic form, and distribute a documentary film that provides a record of the proceedings and a resource for programme managers and policy makers.

For further information about this conference, please visit their website at http://worldsci.net or e-mail their programme co-ordinator Wesley Shrum at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..