GYA signs Memorandum of Understanding at Hong Kong Science Summit, Executive Committee holds In-Person Meeting
In December 2025, the GYA Executive Committee (EC) participated in the third Hong Kong Science Summit on “Converging Knowledge, Inspiring Future”, organised by the Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences (HKYAS) together with the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, where they signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the HKYAS and the represented young organisations.
Young Academies join established science networks
At its Conference and General Assembly in December, the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) announced the first cohort of its new IAP Young Affiliates. Eleven Young Academies have now joined the IAP as Young Affiliates, and a number of them were present at the IAP meetings.
With over 150 member academies across more than 100 countries, the IAP connects thousands of leading scientists. As a Young Affiliate, Young Academies will now have greater opportunities to shape international science policy, collaborate on global initiatives, and amplify the voice of early-career professionals on this world stage. The GYA has been a full IAP member since 2019.
In November, the International Science Council also confirmed Category 3 membership of the Argentinian Young Academy and the UK Young Academy.
International Workshop “Free Scientific Research Under Threat”
The Argentinian Young Academy together with the German Young Academy organised a hybrid workshop in October 2025, on “Free Scientific Research under Threat”. GYA EC member Natisha Dukhi represented the South African Young Academy of Science and spoke on “The Consequences of Global North Funding Reductions on South African Research and Science Diplomacy for Equitable Scientific Access”. Read a brief workshop report here.
Swiss Young Academy publication and podcast
The Swiss Young Academy has published a report on “Innovative Teaching Formats at the Science-Society Interface: Reflections and Future Directions in Swiss Higher Education”, which offers course models and priority actions to strengthen science-society engagement in higher education institutions, and highlights how innovative teaching approaches can mobilize students to engage with societal partners – an essential step in promoting science-society dialogue needed to address complex societal challenges.
The Swiss Young Academy has also published a new, 12th episode as part of their podcast “Spark – Stories from Advocates for Global Change“, which features conversations with academic and non-academic experts on urgent global issues such as climate change, human rights, artificial intelligence, and social media’s impact on democracy. The podcast is aimed at audiences aged 16–23.
In the latest episode, Markus Schefer, Professor of Constitutional and Administrative Law at the University of Basel and a member of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, talks about how legal frameworks, advocacy, and public awareness can work together to help ensure the respect of human rights for persons with disabilities.
Vietnam YA Newsletter
The latest issue of the Vietnam Young Academy newsletter is available here.