Greetings from Global Young Academy’s International Conference of Young Scientists and Annual General Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda!
The Young Academy of Norway made a notable and prominent presence at the thrilling GYA meeting that took place in the capital of Rwanda.
For the first time since 2019, the International Conference of Young Scientists was conducted in person once again. The conference, held annually, is a collaborative effort between GYA and the Young Academy of the host nation. This year, Rwanda had the honour of hosting the conference, which coincided with GYA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).
More than a hundred participants from almost all continents were present in Kigali. The Young Academy of Norway (AYF) was represented by Natalia Kucirkova (both member of AYF and GYA), Salwa Suliman (AYF member) and Bjørn Kristian Danbolt (general secretary); making a remarkable presence through this Norwegian delegation.
With over 200 members, the GYA develops, connects and mobilises young talent from six continents. The GYA also supports the establishment and coordination of National Young Academies and similar initiatives across all continents – with the active contribution of the Young Academy of Norway
Technological innovations for solving global challenges.
The conference centred around the theme of leveraging technological innovations to address global challenges. The presentations and panel discussions considered the crucial role of young academies in tackling local challenges through a global perspective, emphasizing the importance of collaborative solutions.
The conference commenced with a video greeting from Tedros Ghebreyesus (Director General, World Health Organisation) and the following days had several prominent international speakers, including Magdalena Skipper (editor-in-chief of Nature), Valentine Uwamariya (The Minister of Education, Rwanda), Romain Murenzi (Executive Director of the World Academy of Sciences) and Paula Ingabire (The Minister of ICT and Innovation, Rwanda). In addition, several GYA-members and other important speakers from the academic community contributed to the conference’s diverse and multidisciplinary programme.
Our member Professor Natalia Ingebretsen Kucirkova moderated one of the panel discussions.
The full program may be found here: https://agm.globalyoungacademy.net/programme/
Remembrance and reflection at the Kigali Genocide Memorial
Despite Kigali and Rwanda’s transformation into a secure and thriving city and country over the past three decades , they experienced a dark chapter in their history with the civil war from 1990-1994 and the genocide in 1994. As part of the conference, the delegates had the opportunity to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial and gained deeper insight into Rwanda’s tragic past. Equally significant was to learn how the nation has progressed, healed and rebuilt itself in the last 30 years.
Learn more about this important center at: https://kgm.rw/
New GYA-leadership elected
During the annual general meeting, the GYA elected two new co-chairs and members for its executive committee. The role of co-chair will be shared by Priscilla Kolibea Mante (re-elected) from Ghana and Felix Moronta from Italy. A comprehensive list of the the new executive committee may be found here.
We look forward to a fruitful collaboration with the new leadership of GYA.
Washington DC next
We extend our gratitude to the Global Young Academy and Rwandan Young Academy of Sciences for organizing a truly inspiring meeting. During the event, we not only reinforced existing connections but also established new alliances with young academies and scientists from various part of the globe.
We are eagerly anticipating the upcoming GYA International Conference for Young Scientists and Annual General Meeting scheduled to take place in Washington DC in June 2024.
Greetings from the AYF-delegation
Natalia, Salwa and Bjørn Kristian
Press contact:
Bjørn Kristian Danbolt
General Secretary – the Young Academy of Norway
bjorn.danbolt@yngreforskere.no / +47 922 90 263