We, the participants of the Third World Conference of Science Journalists comprising 320 people representing media, universities and professional organizations from 26 countries, meeting in São José dos Campos, Brazil, November 24–27, 2002, and drawing upon the recommendations of the previous world conferences held in Tokyo 1992, and Budapest, 1999, do declare the establishment of a World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ). The WFSJ is a non-profit, non-governmental international organization representing science, technology, health, medical and environmental journalists’ organizations in all parts of the world.

The WFSJ will serve as a means for science communicators everywhere to share in the mutual benefits of an international professional organization that protects the rights of journalists, serves as a bridge between scientists and public, and promotes a new world culture of science journalism based on the principles of civil society and democracy.

Recognizing that this conference is the first to held in the Southern Hemisphere, the participants urge the WFSJ to support, respect, and promote the rights, safety, and livelihoods of science journalists in all countries, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, age or sexual preference.

Further, in recognition of the Brazilian model of science journalism education, the participants urge the WFSJ to facilitate and encourage training, networking, and education for science journalists everywhere, especially in the developing world. One of the most effective means of achieving these goals is the strengthening of national associations and the creation of such organizations in countries where they do not now exist.

In recognition that this World Conference is the first of its kind in the 21st century, and that science and technology will continue to be the source of human progress, the participants urge the WFSJ to convince the owners and managers of media that science journalism can be a means of empowering society. The media should provide more resources, staff, space and program-time not only for specific science topics, but also for the scientific and technological components of all human endeavors.

Further, recognizing that science communication is the key to increasing the scientific literacy of the general public, the participants urge the WFSJ to lobby public officials and private enterprises to provide access to the new technologies of communication and to guarantee the free flow of information. This is particularly urgent in developing countries and poorer regions of the world.

Finally, the participants recognize that science, politics, economy, and journalism are not separate entities in the cultures of modern societies, but are intertwined. They encourage the WFSJ to promote this concept through its newly formed networks of personal and organizational contacts as well as its website, publications, journals, and other means of communication.

The results of these initiatives as well as proposals for additional actions will be reported and discussed at the 4th World Conference of Science Journalists to be held in Montreal (Canada) in 2004. A goal of this conference should be to bring together public policy-makers and gatekeepers of modern media with those who produce, communicate, and use science and technology information to assure that these recommendations will become realities.

São José dos Campos, 27 November 2002