Collection

Various series of minutes, 1946-95; Treasurer's records, 1946-78; correspondence, subject files and circulars, 1947-79; Scientific World, 1957-92; bibliography, 1989; photographs, 1940s-70s.

55 boxes

The World Federation of Scientific Workers was founded in July 1946, and has enjoyed the active participation of a number of eminent scientists. It aims to deal with all issues involving the social responsibility of scientific workers (laboratory researchers, academics in both the natural and human sciences, as well as engineers). Priority issues include: science and society, science policy, disarmament, science and ethics, and scientific law. For a substantial period of its existence it has been recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a non-governmental organisation (NGO). It was listed as a proscribed organisation by the British Labour Party in 1953 for its alleged pro-Communist views. [Reference: UNESCO directory of NGOs (http://erc.unesco.org/ong/en/directory/ONG_Desc_portal.asp?mode=gn&code=741), accessed Aug 2010]

Open

English