Science and technology (S&T) professionals and students met past noon yesterday at the College of Science (CS) Auditorium to celebrate the World Science Day (WSD) for Peace and Development.
Scientists and students from various organizations such as the March for Science Alliance and the CS Student Council rallied UNESCO’s annual event aimed at “[highlighting] the important role of science in society.”
The celebration kicked off with a lecture by Agham Youth National Chair Ezron Cabrera on the role of S&T in society, following the WSD international theme “Science for Global Understanding.” Cabrera stressed that science is not neutral. Instead, he emphasized that the way science will be used, whether for development or destruction, will depend on those who hold political power.
Launching of the “Paaralang Pons,” a science and society lecture series, was also held, paying tribute to the late Guillermo “Pons” de Leon, a former Physics professor and chairperson of progressive group Science, Technologists, and Engineers for the People (STEP).
The launching followed two educational discussions from the Center for Environmental Concerns and AGHAM on the state of the Philippine environment, and on Philippine S&T and national industrialization, respectively.
The celebration-cum-discussion is part of a series of events spread throughout the month in support of the WSD held every November. This is the third year that the Philippines participated in the international celebration.
