Honouring Distinguished Colleagues
Honouring the Memory of Distinguished Colleagues at the 98th Executive Council
Delegates honoured the memory of Roger Dittmann, Seiji Yuasa and Smati Zogbi during the opening ceremony in Paris.
The opening ceremony of the 98th Executive Council of the World Federation of Scientific Workers (WFSW), held in Paris, included a moving tribute to three distinguished colleagues whose lives and work left a lasting mark on the Federation and the international scientific community.
Delegates gathered to honour the memory of Roger Dittmann, Seiji Yuasa and Smati Zogbi, celebrating lives dedicated to science, peace, international cooperation and the responsible engagement of scientific workers. The ceremony was a solemn moment of remembrance, gratitude and renewed commitment to the values they so faithfully upheld throughout their lives.
Roger Dittmann
A dedicated voice for scientific cooperation and peace
Roger Dittmann, the longstanding representative of the United States Federation of Scientists and Scholars (USFSS) on the WFSW Executive Council, devoted his career to promoting peace, scientific cooperation and the responsible engagement of scientists in international affairs.
A nuclear physicist and Professor at California State University, Fullerton, he made significant contributions to the WFSW Peace, Disarmament and Cooperation Group. Colleagues remember him not only for his intellectual rigour, but also for his kindness, generosity and quiet sense of humour, qualities that enriched the Federation throughout many years of service.
Read Roger Dittmann’s tribute →
Seiji Yuasa
A lifelong commitment to peace and nuclear disarmament
Deeply influenced by the tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Seiji Yuasa devoted decades of his life to promoting nuclear disarmament, peace and the social responsibility of scientists.
His commitment extended well beyond nuclear issues to international relations, workers’ rights and the ethical responsibilities of the scientific community. Throughout his life, he consistently addressed issues of global importance, reflecting an unwavering dedication to peace and human progress.
Smati Zogbi
A legacy of solidarity and scientific collaboration
Smati Zogbi will be remembered for his generosity, his dedication to the Federation and his unwavering belief in international solidarity. Through his quiet commitment and collaborative spirit, he strengthened friendships and scientific cooperation across the WFSW community.
His example continues to reflect the spirit of mutual respect and international collaboration that lies at the heart of the Federation and remains one of the values that continue to guide its work.
The WFSW honours the memory of Roger Dittmann, Seiji Yuasa and Smati Zoghbi with deep gratitude. Their scientific integrity, humanism and lifelong commitment to science in the service of humanity continue to inspire the Federation and future generations of scientific workers.
Their lives remind us that science, guided by cooperation, solidarity and a shared commitment to humanity, remains one of the firmest foundations for building a more peaceful and just world.
Roger Dittmann (right) and Smati Zogbi (front row, right) during the WFSW Executive Council held in Meudon Bellevue, France, in September 2014.
