RSC and Chemical Society of Japan renew partnership agreement
Royal Society of Chemistry CEO Dr Helen Pain celebrated 'the renewal of a historic agreement' after re-signing our joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chemical Society of Japan (CSJ).
She met with science leaders and gave a series of speeches as the two societies re-established their alliance dating back to 2010. The trip to Tokyo featured the second renewal of our formal partnership with our Japanese counterparts and came three years after the previous attempt to renew this collaborative pact was thwarted by the COVID pandemic.
The RSC also played host to the Japan Editorial Board Summit, bringing together Editorial Board and Advisory Board members based in Japan.
And Helen said it was fantastic to re-establish in-person connections with a key scientific ally on the other side of the world.
“The renewal of this historic agreement is a symbol of the long-established bond that exists between our two organisations,” she said. “We have a huge amount of respect for our colleagues in Japan and the fact we share so many common goals means I welcome the opportunity to sign this document in person.
“The world has changed a lot since the RSC and the CSJ signed the original agreement in 2010 but our commitment to developing linkages between our two countries remains as steadfast as ever. Only by working together can the chemical sciences community effectively tackle the major issues affecting the world today, including the need for greater sustainability.
“Our shared mission to maximise the opportunities for chemical scientists makes this such a fruitful partnership. By working hand in hand with our Japanese counterparts, I believe we can continue to make huge advances that can benefit the wider world.”
In her speech to mark the second renewal of the MoU, Helen noted the two organisations’ collaborations as members of the Chemical Sciences and Society (CS3) summit. That event will also be hosted in Japan. Helen also mentioned the annual CSJ-RSC symposia and our recognition of talented young Japanese chemists with joint PCCP prizes as signs of the bonds between the societies.
As well as renewing formal ties, she shared her thoughts at the start of the editorial summit, which had a particular focus on sustainability. Attendees were encouraged to consider the ways in which chemistry can help to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Helen touched upon this topic in her opening speech, reiterating the chemical sciences community’s potential to build a more sustainable world.
Helen also highlighted some of the work being done by UK and Japanese organisations – including the RSC – on environmental, healthcare, sanitation, education and equality issues. “We are entering an era of unprecedented discovery and impact in our discipline,” she told attendees at the summit before thanking our editorial boards for their contributions.
And Helen took the opportunity to spell out her vision for the future in print. She was invited by the CSJ to submit an article for publication in the June edition of the prestigious journal Chemistry and Industry.
Reflecting on the trip, she added: “I really enjoyed meeting our Japanese counterparts. I am heartened by what I heard and saw and look forward to us making further progress together in the coming years.”
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