World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ)

The World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ) is a non-profit organization representing 40 national, regional or international associations of science journalists and two associate partners. It is, in short, an association of associations. The WFSJ seeks to further science journalism as a bridge between science, scientists and the public. It promotes the role of science journalists as key players in civil society and democracy. The Federation's goals are to improve the quality of science reporting, promote standards and support science and technology journalists worldwide.

Objectives

The Federation seeks to organize regular exchanges between its member associations and their individual members. It encourages the foundation of associations where there are none and networking opportunities for science journalists across the globe. The WFSJ maintains a website to share information about advances and trends in science journalism. Training and networking for science journalists, especially in the developing world, are key priorities. A major activity of the Federation is the periodic convening of the World Conference of Science Journalists (WCSJ). The 6^th World Conference of Science Journalists brought 1,000 participants in June 2009 in London (United Kingdom). Previous conferences were Melbourne (2007), Montréal 2004, Brazil 2002, Budapest 1999, and Tokyo 1992. The next conference will be held in June 2011, in Doha (Qatar).

History

The Federation was founded in November 2002 at the 3^rd WCSJ in São José dos Campos, Brazil, where Canadian science writer and broadcaster Véronique Morin was elected its first president. At the 4th WCSJ in Montréal, in October 2004, more than 600 participants from 58 nations attended, as well as representatives from 30 science journalism associations worldwide, and Australian science journalist and magazine editor Wilson da Silva was elected the Federation's second president.

On 1^st July 2009, in London (United Kingdom), Ms. Nadia El-Awady was elected as the fourth president. She replaced Pallab Ghosh, science journalist with BBC, who had been elected 18t^h April 2007, in Melbourne (Australia), . The Federation is governed by a seven-member board with representation from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Since its foundation, the Federation has raised close to US$ 7 millions in grants from various donors to enhance science journalism, with a particular focus on the developing world.

Membership