World Academy of Art and Science: Advancing Global Knowledge and Human Security
The World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS) is a prestigious international non-governmental scientific organization dedicated to addressing the most pressing issues facing humanity. Founded on December 24, 1960, the Academy serves as a global network connecting more than 800 scientists, artists, and scholars across 90 countries. By employing a transdisciplinary approach—integrating knowledge from multiple academic disciplines—WAAS seeks to apply scientific and ethical standards to solve complex global challenges.
Originally established in Geneva, Switzerland, the organization has evolved into a 501(c)(3) public benefit charitable organization incorporated in California. Today, it maintains a strategic presence with offices in Napa (USA), Bucharest (Romania), and Pondicherry (India), including a specialized division for southeastern Europe.
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Key Facts
- Founded: December 24, 1960.
- Status: Non-profit NGO with special consultative status by the UN Economic and Social Council and UNESCO.
- Membership: 750+ active members (network of 800+).
- Leadership: Currently presided over by Garry Jacobs.
- Scope: Worldwide, covering natural and social sciences, humanities, technology, business, governance, law, and diplomacy.
A Legacy of Intellectual Excellence
Throughout its history, WAAS has attracted some of the most influential thinkers of the 20th and 21st centuries. Its fellows have included Nobel laureates, pioneering scientists, and visionary artists who have shaped modern understanding of medicine, economics, and sociology.
Notable Past Fellows
- Science and Medicine: Jonas Salk (polio vaccine developer), Linus Pauling (Chemistry and Peace), Sir John C. Eccles, and André Michel Lwoff.
- Social Sciences and Psychology: Abraham Maslow, Margaret Mead, and Alva and Gunnar Myrdal.
- Visionaries and Arts: Arthur C. Clarke, Buckminster Fuller, and violinist Yehudi Menuhin.
- Global Leadership: Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (former President of India) and Philip Noel-Baker.
Core Research and Global Initiatives
WAAS operates through several high-impact research programs designed to foster peace, sustainability, and intellectual growth.
Human Security and the Eight Pillars
Since 2016, WAAS has championed Human Security as an integrated principle for global peace, aligning its work with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. In collaboration with the UN Office in Geneva and the Global Security Institute (GSI), WAAS helped refine a security concept that merges peace, security, and human development.
A significant milestone occurred in September 2023 during the 78th UN General Assembly, where the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) announced the addition of access to technology as the eighth pillar of Human Security. The complete framework now includes:
- Political freedom
- Access to healthcare
- Economic security
- Community security
- Personal safety & mobility
- Environmental protection
- Food security
- Access to technology
Additionally, WAAS executed the "Human Security For All" (HS4A) campaign from October 2022 to March 2024, commissioned by the UN Trust Fund for Human Security to raise global awareness.
Nuclear Abolition and Global Leadership
The Academy has been a steadfast advocate for the abolition of nuclear weapons. This effort has involved high-level collaborations, including a 2006 meeting co-chaired by former US Defense Secretary Robert McNamara and various workshops in Delhi, Zagreb, and New York.
Economy, Employment, and Sustainability
In response to the 2008 financial crisis and the rise of quantitative easing (the injection of funds by governments to support the economy), WAAS researchers launched a project to reexamine economic theory. This led to the creation of Cadmus, a journal founded by Academy Fellows, and a series of international colloquia from 2013 to 2018 focusing on the "Wealth of Nations Revisited."
Mind, Creativity, and Societal Transformation
WAAS explores the intersection of art and science through projects on mind and creativity, developing new pedagogies and transdisciplinary social theories. The Academy also advocates for a multidimensional theory of social development, as detailed in its 1999 publication, Human Choice: Genetic Code of Social Development.
Organizational Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Legal Status | 501(c)(3) Public Benefit Charitable Organization |
| Global Offices | Napa (USA), Bucharest (Romania), Pondicherry (India) |
| UN Affiliations | Consultative status with ECOSOC and UNESCO |
| Primary Focus | Transdisciplinary approach to global issues |
| Key Publication | Cadmus Journal |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary purpose of WAAS?
The World Academy of Art and Science aims to create an informal world association based on the highest scientific and ethical standards, using a transdisciplinary approach to address global issues across science, humanities, and governance.
What are the eight pillars of Human Security?
The pillars are political freedom, access to healthcare, economic security, community security, personal safety & mobility, environmental protection, food security, and access to technology.
How does WAAS contribute to economic research?
WAAS established the Cadmus journal and conducted a multi-year research project to reexamine prevailing economic theories following the 2008 financial crisis, focusing on employment and sustainability.
Who are some of the most famous people associated with WAAS?
The Academy has had distinguished fellows including Nobel laureates Linus Pauling and Sir John C. Eccles, psychologist Abraham Maslow, and the developer of the polio vaccine, Jonas Salk.
What is the "Human Security For All" (HS4A) campaign?
Commissioned by the UN Trust Fund for Human Security, HS4A was a world-first awareness campaign completed in March 2024 that collaborated with scientists, educators, and influencers to promote the concept of human security.