Conferences

UNESCO Sponsored International Conferences

International Conference held on March, 7-10 -2005 at CRRID ,Chandigarh,Punjab on Science & Technology Policy: Future challenges in the context of globalization

It was organized by the Zaheer Science Foundation and held under the auspices of Regional Council for Science Technology and Development and Co sponsored by UNESCO, Indo- US S&T Forum, CSIR, Department of Science & Technology, Department of Biotechnology and Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India.

The Conference was inaugurated by Shri Kapil Sibal, the then Minister of State for Science & Technology, Government of India and Chaired by Dr. A.R. Kidwai, Chairman, Zaheer Science Foundation and the then Governor of Haryana. The keynote address was given by Dr. R.A. Mashelkar, DG,CSIR and addressed by Shri P.G. Narayanan, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, India etc.

One of the important features of the Conference was special interactive session of Parliamentarians and scientists participating in the Conference. This session was chaired by Shri P.G. Narayanan, Member Parliament, India and addressed by Shri Saifuddin Soz, and Shri S.K. bansal, Member of Parliament, India, Mrs. Paola Tiihonen, Chairman, Committee for Future, Finland and Dr. A.R. Kidwai, Governor of Haryana. The introductory remarks and objectives of the Conference were given by Dr. Mohsin U Khan, Scientist, NISTADS and Convener of the Conference. The concluding remarks were given by Dr. R.A. Mashelkar, Director General, CSIR, New Delhi.

The participants discussed cooperation in the area of Science Policy to face future challenges in this new era of globalization. They recognized the need of closer cooperation between Parliamentarians and policy makers, Scientists, Industry (Public and Private) and the media at all levels from sub-national to International.

Second International Conference held on 27-29, November, 2007 at New Delhi on “Capacity Building in Science and Technology; Policy perspective, opportunities and challenges in the context of globalization.

The Conference was initiated by South Asia and Southeast Asian Scientists sponsored by UNESCO and organized by Zaheer Science Foundation and supported by NISTADS (CSIR) and other organizations. The venue of the Conference was Indian National Science Academy.

The inaugural session was addressed by Dr. A.R. Kidwai, Chairman, Zaheer Science Foundation, Prof. Bhalachandra, Member, Planning Commission, Government of India, Dr. A.W. Khan, Assistant Director General, UNESCO, Dr. Abid Hussain, former Ambassador to US, Dr. Mustafa El-Tayeb, etc. The main themes of the Conference were technology transfer; Science and Technology Policy; Agriculture and food processing; Digital divide, Medicine and medical care; Higher technical education etc. The keynote speakers from India were Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, Chairman, M.S. Swaminathan Foundation, Dr. Kasturirangan (Space Scientist), Member, Rajya Sabha, Dr. Mangla Rai, Director General, Indian Council of Agriculture Research, Professor M.G.K. Menon, FRS and Former Minister of Science & Technology, Dr. Goverdhan Mehta, FRS and President ICSU etc. Several foreign delegates including Director, ISESCO, Iran; Dr. Mustafa El-Tayeb, etc. also gave keynote addresses. The Valedictory address was given by Shri Pranab Mukherjee, the then Minister of External Affairs, Government of India; HE Mr. Koichiru Matsuura, Director General, UNESCO; HE Dr. A.R. Kidwai, and Dr. Abid Hussain.

World Conclave of Scientist - 26 to 29th Nov 2010

UNESCO South Asia & South East Asia Science & Technology Policy Forum & Zaheer Science Foundation, New Delhi organized World Conclave of Scientists on “Regional Cooperation in Science & Technology: Opportunity and Challenges in the Context of Globalization” during 26-29th November 2010. The venue of the Conclave was Indian National Science Academy (INSA), New Delhi. The Conclave was attended by a large number of delegates from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand, Italy, UK, Russia, Finland, Afghanistan, Australia, Germany, Mexico and USA. There were six Keynote Addresses and 34 research papers were presented in the areas of Climate Change and Environment; Health Services; Information and Communication Technology and Science and Technology Policy Studies. One of the important features of the Conclave was the presence of Member of Parliaments of the region including India who participated in the special session of the Parliamentarians on science and technology policy of their respective countries.