On 25 May 2004 Nobel laureates J. Alferov, V. Ginzburg, M. Gorbachev, vice-presidents of the Russian Academy of Sciences G. Mesyats and A. Nekipelov, academicians-secretaries of the Russian Academy of Sciences V. Makarov and V. Fortov, and President of the Russian Union of Rectors, Academician of RAS V. Sadovnichij approached the President of the Russian Federation with a plan of full-fledged modernization of our country aimed at Russia's transition to the Knowledge Society. The main factor of its socio-economic development would be creation and use of knowledge.

For the development of national strategy of Russia's transition to the Knowledge Society it was suggested to establish a regular Russian socio-economic forum. The forum would use modern information and communication technologies for wide and open discussion of ways for Russia's transition to the Knowledge Society.

The forum was launched on 4 February 2005. It was organized by Rosinternetfund with support of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Academy of Education, Russian Union of Rectors, Russian departmental academies, Russian Journalists Union, research, educational and public organizations.

At request of the forum organizers IIS drafted a presentation "Russia and Knowledge Society: Strategic Challenge" and recommendations (both documents in Russian only). Yuri Hohlov, Chairman of the Board of IIS, participated in the forum on behalf of the Institute.