GYA Executive Committee (EC) member Filippo Rossi (Politecnico di Milano, Italy) and GYA alumnus Wataru Iwasaki (University of Tokyo, Japan) provided a voice for early- and mid-career researchers during the G-Science Academy (S7) International Symposium, held in Tokyo, Japan in March 2023.
During the S7 meetings, the G7 academies of science (i.e., The Royal Society of Canada, Académie des sciences France, German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Italian Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, Science Council of Japan, The Royal Society United Kingdom and the National Academy of Sciences United States of
America) proposed to politicians three different statements with recommendations on climate change, health in the face of ageing societies and ocean biodiversity. Politicians will discuss these proposals during the upcoming G7 meeting in Hiroshima, Japan, to consider practical actions to realize these recommendations.
With Filippo representing the GYA, and Wataru representing the Japan Young Academy, both participated in a round table presentation and discussion with S7 academies on the theme “Science in Society; Science for Society”.
During that discussion, Filippo noted that it is fundamental to improve the feeling of trust in scientists. To do that, it is imperative that the scientific community uses many different channels to improve their connection with the public. One particular initiative of importance is the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Wataru discussed the need for young researchers to work diligently in interdisciplinary research, international collaboration and regional cooperation to approach research from a new perspective and hopefully help solve the wicked problems facing Japan and the world. Overall, he was pleased at the responses of representatives from each of the G7 countries to both himself and Filippo.
Filippo also noted that the presence of the GYA at the S7 was fundamental and fitting, particularly because from its beginning, the GYA has been involved in “Science in Society” and also currently works towards realizing the SDGs.