The 2024 World Laureates Forum (WLA Forum)is committed to cultivating future leaders in science as this year's event is hosting more than 80 young scientists, with over 50 attending for the first time.
Running under the theme, "Excellence in Science" the 2024 WLA Forum is scheduled to conclude Sunday in Shanghai.
The three-day forum drew nearly 300 scientists from around 20 countries and regions, including 11 Nobel laureates, over 40 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and about 100 outstanding young scientists, to the Chinese city.
Other attendees included government officials, university representatives, and members of research institutions, innovative companies, and venture capital firms.
They gathered to discuss pressing global issues, explore the link between scientific excellence and innovation, and seek innovative breakthroughs for the future.
The forum featured special seminars on the role of women in science. French cosmetic giant L'Oreal said that women are playing an outsize role in the company.
"We strongly believe that the world needs science and science needs women. In the 4,000 scientists of L'Oreal in the world, two thirds are women. Of all the patents we are doing every year, more than half come from women," Vincent Boinay, North Asia Zone President and China CEO of L'Oreal, told China Global Television Network (CGTN) in an interview.
Forum attendees encouraged more girls and women to study science and called for more support from society to their endeavors.
"I want to say to all girls, 'Do not be trapped by stereotypes. You need to be bold and set yourselves free. You can study science and you can do it well," said He Yuan, a senior teacher from a High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China.
"If I can suggest, I hope that the community should all do something to give them more support when they have younger kids," said Liu Yang, co-founder of Guokr Interactive Information Tech, a sci-tech media company based in Beijing.