The Evolving Role of Professional Societies in International Collaboration: Partners for Progress and Prosperity

The chemistry enterprise is evolving, becoming increasingly multidisciplinary and global. The roles of societies that support the chemistry profession must also evolve and adapt. Traditional roles for professional societies have included sharing research, providing access to information and technologies, and supporting education excellence. Global challenges now provide sister international societies with opportunities to collaborate on: 1) improving the public image of chemistry, 2) identifying and supporting global job opportunities as markets shift, and 3) promoting diversity and inclusion to accelerate progress. Moreover, societies can work together to foster sustainable development by tackling grand challenges to provide clean water, affordable energy, zero hunger, and much more. Sister society collaboration on such challenges, as reflected in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, is the basis for the American Chemical Society's new Chemistry Enterprise Partnerships. Professional societies can truly help transform our world by partnering for progress and prosperity.