On 13 – 16 June 2010, the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) through the auspices of the Science Council of Japan (SCJ) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) along with the Philippine Social Science Council (PSSC) will host the 10TH SCIENCE COUNCIL OF ASIA CONFERENCE with the theme – Meeting the Health Challenges in the Asia Pacific Region: Responding through an Integrated and MultiDisciplinary Approach in Science and Technology at SOFITEL Philippine Plaza, Pasay City.
Scheduled are simultaneous scientific sessions on CLIMATE CHANGE AND HEALTH, CULTURE AND HEALTH, and TECHNOLOGY ON HEALTH. World-renowned researchers from across the globe are invited to share their experiences/breakthroughs on the aforesaid topics.
Likewise, the eleven member countries will continue to discuss on-going projects on WATER, NATURAL DISASTERS, OPEN DATA and KNOWLEGDE ENVIRONMENT, and SPECIAL SESSION ON POP CULTURE.
On the world health topic, the 2004 report of the then Assistant Director General for UN Food and Agricultural Organization Hartwig de Haen, 700,000 people die from food and water borne diseases in countries of the Asia-Pacific Region every year.
Moreover, Director General for Food Safety of the World Health Organization Kerstin Leitner reported that the danger of food-related outbreaks is particularly acute in the Asia-Pacific Region because of higher instances of animals and people living in close proximity and sporadic food production and distribution.
Filipino Veterinary Microbiologist Alice-Alma C. Bungay in her research, DOST Philippine Journal of Science, Vol. 131, June 2002, stated that the unprecedented change in microbial population triggers the emergence of micro-organisms that evolve virulently and are dangerous to human health.
Major health challenges in Asia and the Pacific range from food and water borne diseases, the continuing scourge of tuberculosis to emerging health security concerns brought about by climate change and globalization.
Shigeru Omi, outgoing regional director of WHO’s Western Pacific Office, said that while the region has done well in addressing health threats and concerns during the past decade, the challenges ahead remain daunting.
The NRCP - DOST, SCJ, and PSSC anticipate that this 10th SCA Conference would be an opportunity and venue to discuss and draw a plan of action that would address these health issues. (Jowi A. Carteciano, S&T Media Service)
| The Host Country | The Venue | The Organizers | The Host Institutions | The SCA Officers | Member Organizations |
