98th Executive Council of the WFSW

Novembro 14, 2025 Carreiras Profissionais, Ciência e Sociedade, ENGLISH SELECTION, FMTC, NEWS, Notícias, Problemáticas da Ciência

 

 

WORLD FEDERATION OF SCIENTIFIC WORKERS
98th EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Paris, France, 9–13 June 2025

The 98th Meeting of the Executive Council of the World Federation of Scientific Workers (WFSW) took place in Paris from 9 to 13 June 2025, at the CNRS Ile-de-France campus in Villejuif. The CNRS management provided the facilities and technical conditions required for the meeting, positively responding to the request made by two French organisations affiliated with the Federation – the Syndicat national des travailleurs de la recherche scientifique (SNTRS-CGT) and the Union générale des ingénieurs, cadres et techniciens (UGICT-CGT). The success of the meeting was largely due to their diligence, in partnership with the WFSW.

The meeting included the usual symposium, this time on the theme: “Science for Peace and Equality: Fostering Diversity, Inclusion and Mutual Respect”. The symposium gathered around fifty participants, both in person and online, from four continents and about ten nationalities, highlighting the importance of international scientific cooperation in times of global challenges.

The OTC delegation (Organização dos Trabalhadores Científicos – Portugal) was composed of the following members of its Board of Directors: Frederico Carvalho, President of the Board and Vice-President of the Executive Council of the World Federation; Maria Elmina Lopes, the representative of OTC on the Council; and Joana Pinto dos Santos, member of the Executive Council and of the International Secretariat of the WFSW.

Profile of the French Co-organising Associations
SNTRS-CGT – Syndicat National des Travailleurs de la Recherche Scientifique
The SNTRS-CGT is a French trade union representing workers from public research institutions – State Laboratories – including administrative staff, researchers, research engineers and technicians, whether active or retired, as well as doctoral students. Its work focuses on defending labour rights, enhancing careers and improving working conditions, promoting solidarity and common interests among professionals in the sector, both nationally and internationally. It seeks to promote the implementation of a scientific research policy that is in line with the interests of the country and of peace.

UGICT-CGT – Union Générale des Ingénieurs, Cadres et Techniciens
The UGICT-CGT represents engineers, executives and technicians in France, defending the professional, social and strategic interests of these groups. The union focuses on promoting sustainable scientific and technical careers, equal opportunities and active participation in forums on research, innovation and scientific development policies.

THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE 98th EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

On the morning of the first day, the opening session, chaired by Frederico Carvalho (Portugal), who welcomed all participants, was marked by a heartfelt tribute to deceased colleagues whose legacy remains alive in the life and activity of the Federation.

This was followed by the first working session of the Council’s meeting, with the presentation of the President’s Report by Elies Molins (Spain) – (https://fmts-wfsw.org/2025/10/presidence-report-98th-ec-wfsw/?lang=en), the Financial Report presented by the Treasurer, Pascal Janots (France), and the reading of the minutes of the 97th Executive Council by the Secretary-General, Jamal Sebbani (Morocco). The morning ended with a rich and constructive general discussion.

Elies Molins (Co-president, Spain), Pascal Janots (Treasurer, France), Jamal Sebbani (Secretary General, Morocco)

The afternoon sessions were devoted to the meetings of Working Groups (WG) 1, 2, 3 and 4. Among the main topics discussed were peace, disarmament and international cooperation; climate issues, oceans and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); the living and working conditions of research personnel; and the issue of research funding in the African continent.

On the second day, the morning session, chaired by Sylviane Lejeune (France) and Sergi Maicas (Spain), focused on structural and strategic matters. Frederico Carvalho, coordinator of WG6 (Internal Regulations of the Federation), presented proposals for revising the Constitution and Internal Regulations. Additional recommendations were introduced by Rufina Dabo (Senegal) and reinforced by Josette Rome Chastanet (France), aimed at promoting greater gender parity and encouraging the participation of young researchers. Measures concerning the non-payment of membership fees were also discussed, with the EC deciding that organisations in arrears would be contacted by the Financial Commission without resorting to immediate suspension.

The session continued with the reports of WG5 (Women in Science) and WG8 (Young Scientists). Representing WG8, Rita Reis, from ABIC – Associação de Bolseiros de Investigação Científica (Portugal), presented a valuable contribution focused on the challenges faced by young researchers in Portugal, also sharing perspectives of the group’s ongoing reflections and initiatives.

The morning proceeded with presentations from the Communication and Social Networks sector, where Joana Santos (Portugal) joined the panel to report on recent and ongoing activities, and from the UNESCO sector, with a comprehensive report presented by Mehdi Lahlou (Morocco).

André Jaeglé (Honorary President, France) presents the results of WG1.

The afternoon session, chaired by Habiba Berkoun (France) and David Célestin Faye (Senegal), focused on the reports of Working Groups 1 to 4 previously presented, culminating in a broadly participative general discussion.

Among the external interventions, notable contributions included those of Nayla Glaise, President of Eurocadres, and Patrick Boumier, Co-Secretary-General of SNTRS-CGT, as well as that of Frédéric Boccara (France), economist and statistician, who provided an in-depth critical analysis of current economic and social challenges.

The final day of the EC meeting was filled with decisions on the approval of documents, strategic planning and final discussions. Chaired by Jamal Sebbani (Morocco), the meeting unanimously approved the reports of the President, the Treasurer and the Communication and UNESCO sectors, as well as the documents of Working Groups 1 to 4.

Statements concerning the situation in Palestine (https://fmts-wfsw.org/2025/06/la-fmts-defend-la-justice-en-palestine/) and in Argentina (https://fmts-wfsw.org/2025/06/free-palestine/?lang=en) were discussed and approved with suggested improvements for revision and validation by the International Secretariat, in order to allow for broader reflection and translation. A statement on the precarious situation of researchers in the world (https://otc.pt/wp/2025/07/31/a-precariedade-dos-investigadores-no-mundo/) was also approved.

Within the thematic domain of the world situation, the following contributions by Frederico Carvalho and Mehdi Lahlou addressing critical issues were accepted as official documents of the Executive Council:

The closing session was devoted to the planning of forthcoming meetings, including the next General Assembly (GA). Regarding the latter, two possibilities were raised: to hold it either in Paris in May 2026 or in Mexico in December 2026, depending on the logistical and financial support available.

The Symposium

The symposium “Science for Peace and Equality: Fostering Diversity, Inclusion and Mutual Respect”, held on 12 June 2025, addressed the role of science in the face of  current global challenges.

Opening the event, Mehdi Lahlou (Morocco) highlighted the need to strengthen international scientific cooperation in the face of instability brought about by climate change, armed conflicts and the weakening of multilateral institutions.

The keynote speech was delivered by Antonio Turiel, who addressed critical issues related to climate change and its global impacts on scientific systems and society.

Online intervention by Antonio Turiel (CSIC, Spain)

The Round Tables, chaired by Maria Elmina Lopes (Portugal) and Aymen Boualy (Tunisia), focused on two main themes: “Strengthening Scientific Solidarity and Resilience” and “Science in the Service of Solidarity, Peace and Sustainable Development.”

Among the participants were Sylvain Delaitre, Daniel Ricci, David Célestin, Hanae Elmon Falouti and Frederico Carvalho (https://otc.pt/wp/2025/11/04/closing-ranks-in-a-fight-for-the-future/) in the first round table, and Arnaud Ristori, André Jaeglé, Jean-Marc Nicolas and Caroline Blanchot in the second.

Online intervention by Xiquiu HAN (CAST, China)

The discussions covered topics such as the defence of international collaboration, the protection of scientific workers, the role of scientific diplomacy in promoting dialogue, and the need to orient research towards sustainable development goals and world peace.

Online intervention by Rita Reis (ABIC, Portugal)

The symposium reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to placing science at the service of humanity, equality and solidarity among peoples.

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As is customary in EC meetings, the organisers sought to create a welcoming environment conducive to interaction among the participants. Beyond the formal sessions, the 98th Executive Council of the WFSW offered several opportunities for social interaction, fostering informal dialogue, strengthening relationships and building new friendships in a spirit of camaraderie.

The inspiring atmosphere of the CNRS Ile-de-France campus and the exceptional weather during the week contributed to the success of the meeting, marked by a well-balanced combination of scientific, cultural and social activities. Among the various social events, the symposium dinner stood out, gathering participants and guests in a spirit of sharing and celebration, reflecting the solidarity and cooperative spirit that characterises the Federation.

The success of the event was largely due to the exemplary dedication of the local organising teams, SNTRS-CGT and UGICT-CGT, and to the commitment of the Executive Council members, who led the working sessions and encouraged constructive and productive collaboration.

Beyond the Federation’s administrative and strategic matters, the meeting provided an opportunity to strengthen relations with affiliated associations, reaffirming the WFSW’s allegiance to science in the service of peace, cooperation and sustainable development, emphasising the essential role of the associations and the need to mobilise new generations of researchers to build a more just, inclusive and supportive future.

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For further information, see the full text of the documents of the 98th Executive Council:

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Article on the FMTS-WFSW website, EN: https://fmts-wfsw.org/2025/11/98th-executive-council-of-the-wfsw/

 

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