World Federation of Scientists
International scientific organisation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The World Federation of Scientists is an international association of scientists founded in 1973. It emerged from scientific initiatives of the Ettore Majorana Foundation and Centre for Scientific Culture in Erice, Italy, and has been associated with efforts to promote international scientific cooperation and to address global challenges at the intersection of science, society, and security.
| Abbreviation | WFS |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1973 |
| Founder | Antonino Zichichi |
| Type | International scientific organization |
| Headquarters | Geneva, Switzerland |
Region served | Worldwide |
History
The World Federation of Scientists (WFS) is described by the Union of International Associations as an international association of scientists.[1] It was founded by Antonino Zichichi, who served as its President until his death in 2026.[2] Its activities are closely linked with the International Seminars on Nuclear War and Planetary Emergencies, a series of meetings held annually in Erice from the early 1980s that brought together scientists and policy-makers to address global risks arising from science and technology.[3]
The 57th International Seminar on Nuclear War and Planetary Emergencies took place in Erice in 2025. The seminar was opened by Fabrizio Zichichi, vice president of the Ettore Majorana Foundation, and was co-chaired by Cristian Galbiati, a physicist at Princeton University.[4][5] The seminar consisted of eight plenary sessions addressing risks, including nuclear proliferation, viruses, artificial intelligence, biodiversity, wildfires and water security.[6]
These scientific meetings relate to the Erice Statement of 1982, which articulated principles concerning the social responsibility of scientists in addressing global risks. In 1986, these activities led to the establishment of the International Centre for Scientific Culture ICSC–World Laboratory in Geneva, intended to promote international scientific cooperation, including support for scientists and research projects in developing countries through collaborative programmes and scholarships.[7][8]
Mission and activities
The WFS has established six Permanent Monitoring Panels (PMPs) focused on specific global challenges associated with planetary emergencies.[9]
One such panel is dedicated to information security and is hosted in collaboration with the research community at Bundeswehr University Munich. The panel addresses scientific and technological issues related to cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and information risks, providing a forum for interdisciplinary research and discussion rather than acting as a regulatory or operational body.[7]
A further Permanent Monitoring Panel on Managing Catastrophic Risks was established in 2022. William Barletta, an adjunct professor in the Department of Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has served as chair of this panel since its creation and has also served as vice-chair of the Federation’s Permanent Monitoring Panel on Energy since 2001.[9]
The WFS has also supported an international scholarship programme for postgraduate students and early-career researchers in priority areas identified by the Federation, including water, energy, pollution, climate change, and science and technology for developing countries. Applications are coordinated through national representatives, with certificates presented to recipients at annual meetings.[10][11]
The Ettore Majorana–Erice–Science for Peace Prize is also closely associated with the federation. The prize was established by the Sicilian Parliament and is held under the auspices of the Ettore Majorana Foundation and Centre for Scientific Culture, with recipients elected by the World Federation of Scientists.[12][13]