The Global Young Academy – The Voice of Young Scientists around the World

  1. What is the GYA?

The Global Young Academy (GYA) is an independent academy of young leaders, selected on the basis of research excellence and their commitment to using their expertise for the benefit of society. The academy has a maximum of 200 members at any given time, who together build consensus on science policy topics, address societal issues through interdisciplinary discourse, foster intercultural dialogue, build an international network and develop leadership skills.

The GYA defines “Science” as any inquiry-based, knowledge-generating research, including natural, physical and social sciences as well as engineering, medicine, the arts and humanities. With the term “scientists”, the GYA refers to all scholars, irrespective of their research area or their occupation.

GYA 2016-2017 ledership photos

 Vision and mission

Society is confronted with increasingly complex and interdependent challenges at local, regional, and global scales. These mutual challenges range from climate change to gender inequality, from digital vulnerabilities to continuing conflicts and poverty. Scientists have a key role to play in developing solutions to these issues. To effectively confront these myriad and shared challenges, scientists with different backgrounds and areas of expertise must draw upon their unique strengths and knowledge bases in regional and global collaborations. In addition to research and analyses, scientists have a role to play in communicating with society, meeting society’s research needs and informing society about scientific findings and their potential implications in policy through science-based policy advice mechanisms.

The vision of the GYA is to be the voice of Young Scientists. The mission of the GYA is to empower outstanding early-career researchers and scholars to lead international, interdisciplinary and intergenerational dialogue – both with each other and with external stakeholders – by developing, connecting and mobilizing young talents from six continents. The GYA’s purpose is to promote reason and inclusiveness in global decision-making.  Academy members share a common passion for “the role of science in creating a better world”.

In order to build a stronger and more cohesive voice, the GYA works towards closing the gaps between science and scientists in every part of the world. The Academy aims to make scientific systems around the world more effective in developing knowledge and communicating with society. The GYA aims to develop alumni who are empowered to change the world, who also work to support the development of the next generation of scientific leaders. The GYA membership seek to ensure that global decision-making incorporates scholarly knowledge and is inclusive, with a focus on how today’s decisions will affect future generations.

 

Guiding principles

The GYA believes that early career scientists are optimally positioned to think in new ways and to innovate novel solutions to societal challenges. GYA also believes that bringing together outstanding Young Scientists from around the world creates new opportunities for tackling global issues. The exchange of ideas across disciplines/research areas, cultures and nationalities expands opportunities for scientists, increases global scientific capacity and contributes to improving the state of the World.

The strategic targets of the GYA are guided by the following six principles:

Excellence

GYA members are selected based upon a proven track record for outstanding contributions to science and their commitment to public service. GYA strives for the highest quality in its activities: “excellence is an imperative”.

Diversity

The GYA is an academy of early career scientists and draws its membership from across all disciplines and research areas. GYA aims to include scientists from every geographical region around the world and for inclusive representation, by gender and scientific disciplines.

Responsibility

Concerned with global challenges, GYA takes special responsibility for its actions and work towards cooperative solutions, considering the social, ethical and moral issues involved, and being aware of dilemmas created by the interactions between science and society.

Evidence

As scientists, GYA members expect solutions to society’s problems to incorporate scholarly knowledge. GYA seeks to contribute innovative science-based policy ideas to the debates of concern to both scientists and the wider community.

Independence

The Academy fosters early career independence for Young Scientists. It operates independently from governments, other academies, funding sources, and businesses. It exists as a non-profit organization.

Impact

The GYA focuses on activities of concern to Young Scientists, supports the career development of Young Scientists, and is committed to addressing Global Challenges. GYA supports the formation of National Young Academies that empower these scientists to contribute to national improvement.

 

The GYA in a nutshell

The Global Young Academy grew out of discussions amongst top Young Scientists from around the world, convened by the InterAcademy Panel (IAP): The Global Network of Science Academies for the Annual Meetings of the New Champions of the World Economic Forum (“Summer Davos” meetings) in 2008 and 2009.[1] The foundation of the GYA took place in February 2010 in Germany. It filled a niche, as there was not a single international Academy devoted to supporting  excellent Young Scientists committed to addressing emerging global issues.  In 2010, there were only five National Young Academies, three in Europe and one each in Africa and Asia, and not a single Academy for Young Scientists in the Americas and Australasia.

 

In 2014, four years after its foundation, the GYA had reached its full capacity with 200 members composed of early- and mid-career scientists from over 50 countries on all continents and from a variety of disciplines. These members are elected to a five-year term on the basis of their demonstrated research excellence and a commitment to improving the state of Science and the Science-Society interface. When admitted, members are typically within 3 to 10 years from earning their Ph.D. and around the age of 35 years. After their five-year term, members become alumni, with roles that focus on continuing the mission of the GYA both in their own careers and to the betterment of the current GYA members. At present, in early 2017, the GYA has 134 alumni worldwide.

 

The GYA is a democratic organization. The Annual General Meeting of the membership is the highest governing body, but they are represented by an Executive Committee (EC) with 2 Co-Chairs. One Co-Chair is from a developing economy/country and the other is from a developed economy/country. Similarly, the 9 additional EC members reflect the diversity of the membership. In 2016/2017 the elected Co-Chairs are Dr. Orakanoke Phanraksa (National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thailand) and Dr. Mari-Vaughn Johnson (United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) -Natural Resources Conservation Service, USA). Their predecessors were Dr. Eva Alisic (Monash University, Australia), Prof. Sameh Soror (Helwan University, Egypt), Prof. Rees Kassen (University of Ottawa, Canada), Prof. Bernard Slippers (University of Pretoria, South Africa), Prof. Gregory Weiss (University of California, Irvine, USA) and Dr. Nitsara Karoonuthaisiri (National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Thailand).

 

The 2016/17 EC consists of 5 women and 6 men who collectively represent all major regions of the World – the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australasia. The GYA also benefits significantly from an Advisory Board[2], a group of internationally distinguished scientific leaders, which provides advice and helps develop international contacts, and supports the GYA’s mission. The Advisory Board is currently composed of distinguished men and women from Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa; its membership will continue to expand further and diversify.

 

The GYA receives core funding from the German Government and has its Head Office on the premises of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina in Halle (Saale). Particularly beneficial is the close cooperation with the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP)- the global network of science academies. The GYA has been granted observer status at IAP, and attends their Executive Committee meetings.

 

The GYA approach

GYA activities include:

  • Support and advancement of National Young Academies (NYAs)
  • Developing position papers on major international issues of concern to Young Scientists
  • Writing white papers on best practices, to support early career researchers
  • Cooperating with international institutions and forums such as UNESCO, the UN Secretary General’s Scientific Advisory Board, ICSU, IAP, the Global Research Council, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre and The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)
  • Introducing novel programs to bridge the scientific gap between the developed and developing worlds
  • Support for science education and outreach
  • Carrying out research studies on issues of importance to Young Scientists
  • Promoting dialogue between Young and Senior Academies -including by contributing to statements and reports produced by Senior Academies- through GYA’s observer status at IAP.

 

  1. GYA Accomplishments and impact so far

Since its foundation in Berlin in 2010, the GYA and its members have made important contributions to improving the state of Young Scientists around the world and their contribution to society. The activities and achievements have been described in the following public reports: “GYA: The First Five Years[3], “GYA 2015” and “GYA 2014 in 12 Stories”.

A few recent examples of GYA achievements include:

2.1. Theme Science and Society

Cooperation with the International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA)

Over discussions at a number of high-level events, Eva Alisic (GYA Co-Chair 2014-2016) developed a close working cooperation with the International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA). She was called to join the program committee for the 2nd International Network of Government Science Advisors Conference, 29-30 September 2016 in Brussels, Belgium. Jointly organized by the European Commission and INGSA, this important global conference brought together users and providers of scientific advice on critical, global issues. Policy-makers, leading practitioners, and scholars in the field of science advice to governments, as well as other stakeholders, explored principles and practices in a variety of current and challenging policy contexts.

After a successful workshop on science advice in South Africa ahead of the IAP Conference 2016, the International Council for Science (ICSU) has confirmed to assist in the development of an INGSA Africa Chapter. So far, the chapter has established an inaugural steering committee that includes among others Tolullah Oni (South Africa, GYA member) and Sameh Soror (Egypt, GYA Co-Chair 2013-2015).

 

Path to more systematic UN contributions

UN Secretary General’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB)

At the meeting of the UN Secretary General’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) in May 2016, which was attended by GYA Co-Chair 2013-2015 Sameh Soror, the GYA was invited to attend all SAB meetings as an observer. The GYA is optimistic to also be included in future UN structures in order to more effectively contribute the voice of young scientists. The Leopoldina’s President Prof. Hacker is one of the 26 renowned members of the SAB.

UN Major Group Children and Youth

In 2016, following joint engagement on Disaster Risk Reduction which was organized in late 2015, the GYA was invited to join the Advisory Board of the UN Major Group for Children and Youth (UN MGCY) and developed a partnership with them that is mutually beneficial. The GYA supports the younger, enthusiastic and very active UN MGCY members with its scientific expertise and experience, whereas UN MGCY with its formal status can open UN doors to the GYA. UN MGCY representatives attended GYA’s Annual General Meeting in Eindhoven 2016 and visited the GYA office. GYA Co-Chair Mari-Vaughn Johnson spoke as a discussant at UN MGCY side events at the UN- Science Technology and Innovation Forum in New York in 2016.

Refugee Workshop and follow-up with the European Commission

In December 2015, the GYA co-organized an interdisciplinary expert meeting “Fresh Eyes on the Refugee Crisis” in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, along with the Dutch Young Academy. Many Young Scientists participated in it that were nominated by Young Academies. The outcome document of the meeting was launched with a press release and a video in February 2016. The recommendations have been circulated to a number of international and European agencies and decision makers. The document is a timely statement on one of today’s burning issues.

In June 2016, the European Commission invited Eva Alisic and her co-convenors to Brussels to discuss the outcomes and recommendations of the workshop with European Commission representatives in charge of refugees and higher education. The GYA also used the opportunity to write to Senior Academies in Europe with this news and ‘challenged’ them to take up the issue of the refugee crisis and support for refugee scientists.

The video about refugees and solidarity, based on the interdisciplinary meeting, received 20,000 views in the first few months. It is also being used in teaching and outreach. The meeting inspired the Young Academy of Scotland to allocate 4 (among 30) annual new seats in their membership for refugee scientists / scholars at risk for the next 3 years, and GYA is now ‘challenging’ senior academies to develop and share similar initiatives.

 

2.2. Theme Research Environment

G7 Science and Technology Minister’s Meeting 2016 in Japan

The GYA was invited to participate and speak at the G7 Meeting of the Science and Technology Ministers that took place from 15 to 17 May 2016 in Tsukuba City, Japan. The GYA was represented by GYA alumna Ranjini Bandyopadhyay (India), Associate Professor at the Raman Research Institute (RRI), who was invited as a panel speaker in the section “Gender and Human Resource Development for Science, Technology and Innovation”. In her speech, attended by the Ministers and the EU Commissioner, she highlighted the role of women’s participation in science, technology and innovation (STI). Ranjini’s lecture was well received and gave an opportunity for the Ministers to express their commitment to strengthening the position of Young Scientists in international dialogue and science-policy collaboration, as was recommended by the GYA.

A number of GYA recommendations on strengthening of the position of Young Scientists and especially women researchers in science that had been presented to the host and other G7 countries before the meeting were included in the Ministers’ final communiqué that explicitly referred to the GYA: “We expect that our actions will help and advance the activities of International Scientific Councils such as Global Young Academy.”

 

The Global State of Young Scientists: GloSYS

The Global State of Young Scientists (GloSYS) projects provide one key component in GYA’s efforts. Through GloSYS, the members collect qualitative and quantitative information on the situation and environment of Young Scientists with a view to improving them. With initial projects in Asia and Africa, the eventual vision of GloSYS is to collect similar data in all regions of the World so that Regional and Global Policy can be more informed, in terms of how to promote the development of Young Researchers in Science and Technology. The GloSYS ASEAN project carried out in 2015 was the first regional study to follow the precursor conducted in 2013. The GloSYS ASEAN report was published in January 2017. The latest regional study is GloSYS Africa which has gained momentum with a first regional meeting in Mauritius in July 2016.

 

Africa Science Leadership Program and ASEAN Science Leadership Program

Following the successes of the Africa Science Leadership Program, in which the GYA is a partner, and as a first concrete outcome of the preliminary results of the GloSYS ASEAN study, the GYA launched an ASEAN Science Leadership Program for a first cohort of 18 participants. With Thai funding, the first multi-day training workshop was successfully conducted in June 2016 in Thailand, receiving leadership and guidance from GYA Co-Chairs Orakanoke Phanraksa and Eva Alisic involved as mentors. The Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia agreed to sponsor the 2nd workshop in Malaysia in August 2017.

 

Open Access and Open Data Statements

GYA member Sabina Leonelli co-led the joint effort of European NYAs and the GYA to develop joint statements on Open Access and Open Data and EC member Moritz Riede contributed to them. The two position statements were written as strategy papers, involving perspectives and concrete experiences of researchers and young researchers. The approach was a “bottom-up and top-down debate”, as GYA member Sabina Leonelli said. Further, the documents sought to promote researchers’ perspectives on Open Science and how to use the experience of those being engaged with scientific data, browsing archives and publishing day in, day out, was an important aspect for the researchers being effectively included in the European debate around the buzzword of Open Data and in the consultation process of the European Commission.

GYA member Sabina Leonelli was elected as a member of the Open Science Policy Platform (OSPP) of the European Commission. The OSPP was created to advise the European Commission on how to further develop and practically implement open science policy, which is particularly significant at a time of deep transformations in the ways in which research is institutionalized, evaluated and communicated.

 

Next Einstein Forum

The Next Einstein Forum (NEF), a New Global Forum for Science in Africa, showcases some of Africa’s top Young Scientists and connects them with leading scientists, policy-makers, business people, journalists, civil-society representatives and entrepreneurs from Africa and other continents, in “invitation-only” forums. The participants highlight their breakthrough discoveries and catalyze scientific collaborations for societal benefit.

 

GYA members were prominently present throughout the 2016 program: Noble Banadda (Uganda), Ghada Bassioni and Sherien Elagroudy (both from Egypt) and Tolu Oni (South Africa) were selected as NEF Fellows and were featured in the NEF Fellows Spotlight Sessions. GYA members Abdeslam Badre (Morocco), Vidushi Nergheen (Mauritius), Setonji Samuel Olatunbosun Sojinu (Nigeria) and Dexter Tagwireyi (Zimbabwe) were invited as Ambassadors. Alumnus Bernard Slippers (South Africa) and GYA members Maarten van Herpen (The Netherlands), Noble Banadda, Ghada Bassioni and Sherien Elagroudy were plenary speakers and Vidushi Neergheen was selected as one out of five NEF Ambassadors for a panel discussion with Nobel Laureates and the NEF Presidential Panel.

Interdisciplinary Grant Scheme

GYA includes a diverse membership of scientists and scholars, in many disciplines, based in developed and developing countries. In 2014 an interdisciplinary grant scheme was developed that fosters collaborations across the borders that often separate researchers and limit possibilities. The grant facilitates the development of small-scale, innovative, curiosity-driven, exploratory research pilots or prototypes that unite researchers in developed and developing countries and cross disciplinary boundaries. It provides seed money to enable GYA members to prepare a proof of concept, a prototype, or a pilot research project with a view to securing larger external funding. This grant application is restricted to GYA members only. Each grant requires a minimum of two applicants. There must be one applicant from a developing (‘South’) country and the other one from a developed (‘North’) country. Two of the applicants must be from different disciplines and the proposal must be strongly interdisciplinary. So far, three interdisciplinary grants have been awarded.

 

2.3. Theme Science Education and Outreach

Measuring Excellence in Science Engagement (MESE)

Scientists are increasingly urged to engage beyond academia to improve decision-making, public discourse and lay understanding of science, and many young scientists are actively engaged in this discourse. Many institutions encourage such engagement and consider it an important component of staff responsibilities, but how do these efforts contribute towards their promotions, acquisition of tenure, and professional reviews etc? The Working Group “Measuring Excellence in Science Engagement (MESE)” wishes to answer this question. Science is supposed to be in the public interest, but the benefits of science cannot be fully realized without engagement and communication between scientists, citizens, decision-makers, and the media.

Many GYA members are actively involved in these engagement processes – but often with little explicit recognition from their institutions, even though they may encourage such engagement, e.g. as a component of community service. Anecdotal evidence indicates that the current practices of evaluation generally assess science engagement and its impacts in a one-dimensional and non-transparent way, separately and inconsistently.  Therefore, the need of the hour is for inventing the ‘wheel’ of appropriate assessment approaches. This situation has numerous effects, including: 1) Broken feedbacks by which rewards are disconnected from the activities they are intended to encourage; 2) Non-transparent, non-replicable, unstructured assessment processes that leave worthy candidates insufficiently recognized due to judgment errors from cognitive biases; and 3) Missed opportunities for academics for cross-institutional learning, in this emerging challenge.

The MESE group has disseminated and analyzed a survey to understand the current measurement systems for science engagement activities. One aim of the survey is to compare perceptions of social importance/benefits with the importance that such engagement efforts receive in three kinds of review processes (hiring, periodic review, and promotion). Preliminary findings from the sample of over 1000 survey responses (>500 completed surveys from professors and senior researchers and almost as many from students and postdocs) are intriguing, suggesting that scientists largely agree that their engagement is highly beneficial to society, but is under-rewarded in their respective institutions. The working group anticipates that it might benefit many science institutions by shaping institutional policies for more effective science outreach. They have already received many comments from colleagues and other scientists in various nations that the survey – which was shared widely has elevated the conversation around science engagement. The analysis of survey results has been written up in a draft manuscript that will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal, which should foster a substantial role for science in creating a better world.

Young Scientist Ambassador Program (YSAP) and Expedition Mundus

The Young Scientist Ambassador Program (YSAP) aims at building bridges between the developing and developed worlds. YSAP WG has already funded many Ambassadorships.

Studying Egyptian legend seems like an unlikely topic for the GYA, but not for Ghada Bassioni (Egypt) and Wilfred van der Wiel (The Netherlands). Working on experiments with children from two schools in Enschede, The Netherlands, the researchers talked about how science explains the world – even helping to solve the deadly curse of the pharaoh. Ghada Bassioni delivered a similar talk on the science day in 2015 to students in Dortmund, Germany.  The theme of her talk was the pharaoh’s curse, in which she has explored and described the concepts of solubility, crystallization, and toxicity to children. Students discovered that radon, not magic, explained the mystery.

Other YSAP outreach included a special session to promote the Expedition Mundus Game that has been developed by the Dutch Young Academy. Thomas Edison de la Cruz (Philippines) led the gameplay during the first International Conference on Science, Research and Popular Culture held at the Alpen-Adria University in Klagenfurt, Austria, in 2015. About 15 delegates participated in a one-hour special session on the Expedition Mundus game. This International Conference was an ideal venue to play the Expedition Mundus game as participants came from different scientific backgrounds, cultures and countries.. Having promoted the game widely in the Philippines, Thomas de la Cruz now believes playing at conferences could help Expedition Mundus find its way to younger students and inspire them enough to choose to pursue a career in science.

GYA members Alexander Kagansky from the UK and Vidushi Neergheen-Bhujun from Mauritius, also organized an extra-curricular session for children at the International School of Mauritius. They helped children build a model cell, create a ‘chromosome dance’ to show segregation during cell division, and explore endemic flora and fauna of Mauritius using microscopes. These Ambassadors observed that science outreach needs active encouragement; they suggested that more teacher-scientist partnerships would also support a more inquiry-based culture in classrooms.

 

 

2.4. Support for the International Young Academies movement

2.4.1 NYA establishment

Since its foundation the GYA has been impacting global science policy by promoting the establishment of National Young Academies (NYAs) around the World. Before 2010, when the GYA was founded, only five NYAs had been established. In part through the efforts of the GYA and its members as well as through the Blueprint that is described below, this number of NYAs has increased to 31 in 2017. Many other countries have also voiced an interest in establishing NYAs.

The GYA and its members have been and will remain a driving force behind the establishment of NYAs. In many countries, GYA members worked with the Senior Academies in their countries on the establishment of an NYA. They were invited to draft proposals, work on steering committees, and contribute to drafting the proposal and/or the constitution and/or select the inaugural members.

The GYA-drafted “Blueprint for the Formation of a National Young Academy” can provide a basis for many NYA constitutions, which are later adopted to the specific circumstances of the respective country. The blueprint also helps nascent Young Academies to define their goals. GYA leaders have facilitated introductions between Young Scientists and Senior Academies, this primarily because of the excellent rapport the GYA maintains with many Senior Scientists and Academy Presidents through its observer status in IAP.

Here are some examples from the extremely dynamic year 2015:

The Indonesian National Young Academy, whose local name is “Akademi Ilmuwan Muda Indonesia” or AIMI was established in Jakarta on 25-26 May 2015. This was backed by the Indonesian Senior Academy AIPI and the US Kavli Frontiers of Science, its 40 founding members are all alumni of the country’s Annual Science Frontiers Symposium, a National event for Young Scientists. These founders have received advice from the GYA.

At the launch of Uganda’s new National Young Academy of Science (UNYAS) in September 2015, Elizabeth Gabona, Director for Higher, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (HTVET) reminded the assembled that young researchers must not be left behind, nor taken for granted. Fridah Kanana (Kenya) represented the GYA at the launch and GYA member Noble Banadda was instrumental in its development as was GYA alumnus John Muyonga.

The Ghana Young Academy (GhYA) held its inaugural meeting and a one-day science communication workshop for Young Scientists and researchers in October 2015. New GhYA members were inducted alongside interim co-chairs and an acting Administrator/Chief Executive Officer. Several GYA members have taken leadership roles within this fledgling organization.

The senior academy of Senegal has selected seven members and four founding members for its National Academy of Young Scientists in Senegal (ANJSS). This seed academy will select the others members. In total there will be 21 members. ANJSS had a meeting in July to prepare for the inaugural General Assembly and the recruitment of the other members. GYA alumnus Cheikh Diop has taken the lead for this endeavour.

On 29 October 2015, the Norwegian Young Academy was launched with the first 20 members admitted, bringing the number of European NYA to 10. They had previously consulted with the GYA and visited the Office.

2.4.2 NYA support

Second Regional Conference of National Young Academies in Africa, Mauritius, October 2016

The 2nd Africa Young Academies Regional Conference was hosted by Mauritius, in October 2016. In addition to the representatives from all existing African NYAs, one representative each from all NASAC member academies were invited, as well as Young Scientists involved in establishing NYAs and their cooperating partners, including the Leopoldina participated. The conference helped to reinforce the cooperation between YAs in Africa and to establish new NYAs in the region and discuss opportunities to link and better use the capacities of expatriate African Scientists in their home continent. A detailed report can be found at GYA’s website.

 

Cooperation with Asian NYAs

In 2016, the GYA attended a number of meetings with Asian NYAs, including meetings in Japan and the Philippines. The ASEAN SLP and GloSYS ASEAN are conducted in cooperation with NYAs. Through invitation of the Sri Lankan NYA, GYA EC member Yusuf Baran attended the 16th Science Council of Asia (SCA) in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The conference, titled, “Science for People, Mobilizing Modern Technologies for Sustainable Development in Asia”, brought together 29 academic expert organizations from Asia.

In December 2016 the 1st Asian NYA meeting under the theme “Advancing Synergies in Asian NYAs” took place in Bangkok with the help of Thai donors as a means of reinforcing the cooperation between NYAs in Asia and the establishment of new NYAs in the region.

 

Cooperation with European NYAs

Together with the European NYAs, the GYA developed and successfully launched a statement on Open Access and a statement on Open Data (see above), both of which attracted the attention of the European Commission. GYA member Sabina Leonelli presented the latest findings of her research on Open Science at the Open Science Conference organized in Amsterdam from 4-5 April 2016. She also submitted the statements on Open Data and Open Access by the Young Academies of Europe and the GYA to the European Commission. Sabina was accompanied by Christian Lange and Rianne Letschert from the Dutch Young Academy. All parties strongly agreed on the need to involve researchers in development of these policies and on the need to foster an inter-disciplinary and diverse approach in the development of these policies, as provided for under the general framework of the EU.

 

3rd Worldwide Meeting of Young Academies

The 3rd Worldwide Meeting of Young Academies is being co-organised by the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) and the GYA in July 2017. This is a follow-up to the 1st Worldwide Meeting of Young Academies in Amsterdam 2012 and the 2nd in Stockholm 2015, both co-organised by the GYA with the respective NYA. The 3rd Meeting offers exchange of experience and planning of cooperation between the Young Academies in combination with a conference on “One Health/ Health in the Context of an Urbanising Planet and its Implications for Science Policy”.

 

More information on the GYA and on individual members’ profiles can be found on the GYA Website here.

 

[1]See “The Tianjin Statement of Global Young Scientists at the Annual Meeting of New Champions of the World Economic Forum 2008: Passion for Science – Passion for a Better World” at http://www.globalyoungacademy.net/gya-publications/TianjinStatement2008.pdf.

[2]The present composition can be found at: https://globalyoungacademy.net/senior-advisory-board/

[3] https://globalyoungacademy.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/GYA_FirstFiveYears_Report_v2_web.pdf