Some 800 participants, with seven delegates from the Philippines, attended the First World Social Science Forum (WSSF) last 10 to 12 May 2009 in Bergen, Norway.

Led by Philippine Social Science Council (PSSC) Executive Director and Philippine Representative to UNESCO Management of Social Transformations (MOST) Programme Dr. Virginia Miralao, the Philippine delegation included Ms. Joanne Agbisit and Ms. Ma. Luisa Fernan of PSSC; Dr. Ruth Rico and Mr. Winifredo Dagli, University of the Philippines; Mr. Clarence Batan, University of Sto. Tomas; and Ms. Rozanno Rufino, National Economic and Development Authority.

The forum theme “One Planet- Worlds Apart?” highlighted current global reality where the peoples of the world are increasingly integrated into a global economy; yet in spite of all the unifying forces, i.e. technological, economic, political and cultural, the world is one of great divides. Identifying, describing and explaining the most salient current aspects of this reality were among WSSF’s major tasks.

Dr. Miralao presented a paper on Revisiting the Brain Drain Impact of the Philippine Diaspora on the Social Sciences which will be included in the Second World Social Science Report.