The Global Young Academy to hold the first international conference of young scientists and inaugural general assembly meeting in Berlin

The Global Young Academy (GYA) will hold its inaugural General Assembly meeting from the March 20^th to 22^nd at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) in Berlin.

The GYA is an international, independent, science-based institution that aims for excellence and impact that was launched last year. The initial support of the IAP: Global Network of Science Academies was instrumental in founding the organization, and more recent generous financial support from the Volkswagen Foundation of Germany has enabled the development and growth of the GYA.

Finding ways to increase the scientific capacity of developing countries is a major goal of the meeting. “This meeting is a rare and unique opportunity for the type of early career scientist-to-scientist contacts that build future bridges and break down walls“, says Dr. Nitsara Karoonuthaisiri, co-chair of the GYA from Thailand.  

The meeting will also mark the launch of the GYA Secretariat, which will be located at the BBAW in Berlin, Germany. 

“This inaugural conference of such an exciting new organization for top young scientists from around the world being held in Berlin is a recognition of the growing importance of Berlin as an international city of science. It also reflects that Germany invented the concept of ‘young academies’ through the pioneering work of the BBAW, the Leopoldina and the German Junge Akademie” says Professor Tilman Brück, chair of the local organizing committee of GYAGA 2011, member of the Executive Committee of GYA and Head of the Department of International Economics at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) in Berlin, which will host the meeting. 

The GYA seeks to mobilize young academics from all disciplines in their creative prime by providing a rallying point for outstanding young researchers from around the world to come together to address topics of global importance. At least nine countries founded already national young academies supported by the GYA.