Organized by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Third World Organization for Women in Science and the Academy of Sciences for the Development World, the International Workshop on Women for Science opened on August 16 in Beijing.
Chaired by Prof. Fang Xin, vice president of TWOWS and member of CAS Presidium, the opening ceremony was attended and addressed by Vice Chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and President of All-China Women's Federation and Gu Xiulian; Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and CAS President Lu Yongxiang; Chief Executive Secretary of China Association for Science and Technology Deng Nan; Vice Secretary General of the Chinese Academy of Engineering Shi Liying; TWOWS President Kaiser Jamil; TWAS Executive Director M. H. A. Hassan and Executive Director of the InterAcademy Council John Campbell.
Scholars from more than a dozen developing countries have gathered in Beijing to address issues concerning women in science and technology. The two-day meeting focused on five topics, namely, careers for women in science, ways to attract women into scientific careers, factors behind the success of women scientists, ways to encourage the understanding and use of scientific knowledge by women in rural areas, and women in science–prospects and future strategies.
It was announced at the meeting that China will also host the Fourth General Assembly of TWOWS in 2009 in Beijing.
