CF_08_ESE 17-09-2008 15:04 Pagina A CONFERENCE BOOK ORGANISING SECRETARIAT Lavinia Galli Fondazione Umberto Veronesi Piazza Velasca, 5 - 20122 Milano - Italy Telephone: +39 02 76018187 - Fax: +39 02 76406966
[email protected] - www.thefutureofscience.org With the Patronage of The President of the Italian Republic CF_08_ESE 17-09-2008 15:04 Pagina C The Fourth World Conference on the Future of Science, Fondazione Giorgio Cini entitled “Food and Water for Life”, has set itself the task of examining the concrete solutions proposed by science to resolve the pressing global problems Island of San Giorgio Maggiore of food and water scarcity - problems that require resolution if humanity is to have a positive future. Major challenges are to improve both the quantity and quality of the food we produce, in an environmentally sustainable way and with acceptable social and economic costs, and to reduce the diseases arising from malnutrition, unhealthy eating and over-consumption. Extirpation of hunger, reduction of infant mortality, provision of water for agriculture, and provision clean water for drinking, are all aims of the Future of Science Program as embodied in the Venice Charter of 2005. This charter, endorsed by scientists, economists, philosophers, theologians, men of letters, jurists and politicians from all over the world, calls for scientific endeavour to place itself at the service of humanity. The Future of Science Conferences are then an expression of the humanistic face of science - science for progress, science that prioritises human life and dignity, science that safeguards the equilibria of the planet. As with previous Congresses, a concluding document summarizing the views and recommendations of the participants will be produced.