On September 18, the 2023 Meeting of the Preparatory Committee of the World Organization for Science Literacy (WOSL) was held in Shougang Park, Beijing. Members of the Preparatory Committee of the WOSL, representatives of member and observer organizations, specially-invited representatives, staff of the Secretariat, and heads of the Department of Science Popularization and the Department of International Affairs of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), attended the meeting. MENG Qinghai, Vice President and Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the China Association for Science and Technology and Chair of the Preparatory Committee of the WOSL, chaired the meeting.

At the meeting, the Preparatory Committee Secretariat delivered reports on the progress of the work of the Preparatory Committee, the establishment plan of the special committee, the international plan for science literacy evaluation, and the scientific, technological, and cultural exchange program. The participants engaged in-depth discussions and exchanges, speaking highly of and acknowledging the work done by the Preparatory Committee for the past year. In addition, they put forward constructive opinions on promoting the development of the WOSL in accordance with real-life situations of various countries.

Four consensuses have been reached during the meeting. First, the committee will make joint efforts to promote the establishment of the WOSL, actively recruit new members, establish a full working systems, and prepare for the normal operation of the organization. 

Secondly, the committee will actively promote the establishment of special committees to focus on key issues, difficulties, and related topics in the work of science literacy in the international community. Thirdly, the committee will continue to promote the application and development of public science literacy evaluation and research in many countries and regions, and support science communication, education, and popularization in various countries with science literacy investigation and research, all in an effort to promote global public science literacy. 

Fourth, the committee will focus on common issues such as youth science and technology education, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education, exhibitions and educational activities in science popularization venues, and creating science popularization materials, as well as hot scientific topics such as poverty elimination, climate change, carbon peak and carbon neutrality, green development, and aerospace. These efforts will encourage member organizations to be more open and involved, further enhancing the influence, solidarity, and public service capacity of the WOSL.

Since its establishment in 2020, the Preparatory Committee of the WOSL has gathered 27 member organizations, covering 26 countries and regions in Asia, Europe, Africa, and Oceania, and has made positive contributions to promoting global public science literacy.