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The World Academy of Art and Science

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Areas of expertise & Fields of activity:	Economic and Social: Culture Disarmament Economics and Finance Education Energy Environment Food Governance Industrial Development Information International Law International Security Justice Labour New Global Institutions Peace and Security Science and Technology Social Development Sustainable Development Taxation Policy United Nations Reform Youth Social Development: Employment Poverty Social policy Youth Sustainable Development: Education Indicators Institutional arrangements International law
Geographic scope:	International
Millennium Development Goals:	Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger Achieve universal primary education Ensure environmental sustainability Develop global partnership for development
Mission statement:	The World Academy of Art and Science is composed of 730 individual Fellows from diverse cultures, nationalities, and intellectual disciplines, chosen for eminence in art, the natural and social sciences, and the humanities. Established in 1960 by distinguished individuals concerned by the impact of the explosive growth of knowledge, its activities seek to address global issues related to the social consequences and policy implications of knowledge. The Academy serves as a forum for reflective scientists, artists, and scholars to discuss the vital problems of humankind independent of political boundaries or limits, whether spiritual or physical -- a forum where these problems can be discussed objectively, scientifically, globally, and free from vested interests or regional attachments, to arrive at solutions that affirm universal human rights and serve the interests of all humanity. WAAS is founded on faith in the power of original and creative ideas -- Real Ideas with effective power -- to change the world. Its motto is "Leadership in thought that leads to action." The spirit of the Academy can be expressed in the words of Albert Einstein: "The creations of our mind shall be a blessing and not a curse to mankind." Its Fellows share the ambition (as the Founders said in their 1960 Manifesto) "to rediscover the language of mutual understanding," surmounting differences in tradition, language, and social structure which, unless fused by creative imagination and continuous effort, dissolve the latent human commonwealth in contention and conflict. Scientific discovery and technological innovation keep developing instruments of unparalleled power for fulfillment or destruction. We humans, more and more, are taking into our own hands the future evolution of our bodies, our minds, the civilizations we create, and the very planet we inhabit. So it is imperative that we guide what we do by what we know, and guide what we know by what we value. The aim of the Academy's founders was to function as "an informal WORLD UNIVERSITY at the highest scientific and ethical level, in which deep human understanding and the fullest sense of responsibility will meet."
Year established:	1960
Year of registration:	1960
Organizational structure:	Board of Trustees headed by the Chairman reporting to the Plenum of all Fellows. Executive Committee consisting of four officers and three other trustees headed by the CEO reporting to the Board.
Number and type of members:	Approx 700 individual members elected for life for their expertise in different fields and demonstrated commitment to addressing global social problems.
Funding structure:	Membership fees or dues Grants from Governments Foreign and international grants

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