World Science Forum: Bringing Together Participants in Science and Its Beneficiaries

The 2024 World Science Forum (WSF) in Budapest is taking place from 20 to 23 November at several venues, including the Pesti Vigadó, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Müpa Budapest, and the Parliament. "The concept of the WSF is to bring together those who participate in science and those who benefit from its results—in other words, researchers and the people for whom the research is conducted—because research is never merely a curiosity-driven activity; it always has beneficiaries," explained Balázs Gulyás, President of HUN-REN, one of the visionaries and co-founders of the Forum. He also served as the organiser of the WSF from 2003 to 2011.

The event, held for the 11th time this year, was opened by Balázs Hankó, Minister of Culture and Innovation. In his speech, he highlighted Hungary's scientific achievements alongside future challenges in the field of innovation: "Europe needs a turning point in competitiveness, and research and innovation will play a key role in achieving this," he said. Tamás Freund, President of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Chair of the WSF, emphasised: "This year's theme of the World Science Forum—the relationship between science and specialised policy-making in times of global transformation—perfectly aligns with the Forum's founding ambition to provide a platform for dialogue between these two essential actors."

Balázs Gulyás recalled that the original vision, articulated 25 years ago during the presidency of Szilveszter E. Vizi at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, remains highly relevant today. He emphasised that this year's Forum offers a platform for "those who conduct research and those who benefit from it to connect, discuss pressing issues, and reach consensus for the benefit of all humanity." He added, "Over the next four days, Budapest will play a crucial role in facilitating this." Gulyás also stressed that "this dialogue between the research community and its beneficiaries is a vitally important process, one that the WSF is committed to fostering both now and in the future."