strengthening international science for the benefit of society goverdhan mehta, icsu president
TRANSCRIPT
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ICSU: a long history
• Founded in 1931, but roots back to 1899
• A membership organization with:103 National Members (mostly Academies) 29 International Scientific Unions
• Establishes interdisciplinary bodies; sponsors programs in key areas of global concern
• Limited finances but unique worldwide access to intellectual resources
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ICSU mission
ICSU mobilizes the knowledge and resources of the international science community to:
• Identify and address major issues of importance to science and society
• Facilitate interaction of scientists across disciplines and among nations
• Promote participation of all scientists regardless of race, citizenship, language, political stance or gender
• Stimulate constructive dialogue between the scientific community, governments, civil society and the private sector
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The ICSU Vision
““A world where science is used for the benefit of all, excellence in science is valued and scientific knowledge is effectively linked to policy-making. In such a world, universal and equitable access to scientific data and information is a reality and all countries have the scientific capacity to use these ….”
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The ICSU Vision
““A world where science is used for the benefit of all, excellence in science is valued and scientific knowledge is effectively linked to policy-making. In such a world, universal and equitable access to scientific data and information is a reality and all countries have the scientific capacity to use these ….”
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ICSU Strategic Plan 2006-2011
• Process: 6yrs of intense evaluation, review, planning and dialogue with scientists across the world
• Priority setting: Science driven prioritization of societally important issues
• Product(s): A total of 13 separate expert reviews, reports and statements www.icsu.org
Implementation strategyGA charge to EB & CSPR
“It’s not what the vision is, it’s what the vision does….” - Peter Senge
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Science- beyond discovery
Broader engagement underpins science of the future to meet new global challenges and increased societal expectations
In the 21st century, need for a more inclusive view of science
Addressing human needs and concerns
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International Research
Collaboration
Science and Policy
Universality of Science
Three major inter-related themes
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International Research Collaboration
• Linking research, monitoring, and assessments with focus on global environmental change
• International Polar Year 2007-2008• Natural and Human-Induced Environmental
Hazards and Disasters• Science for Sustainable Development• Science for Human Health • Sustainable Energy
• Linking research, monitoring, and assessments with focus on global environmental change
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• an integrated study of the Earth System, • the changes occurring to the System, and• the implications for global sustainability.
Earth System Science Partnership
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The four global change programmes provide the framework for the science on which IPCC assessments are built.
A successful, timely, science based engagement
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ICSU’s role: Global Change example
100% Research
Planning andCoordination
Initialization
ICSU
US$ 2 bn
0.5%
0.005%
Seeding and catalysis
US$ 10 mn
US$ 100 k
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Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
Strengthening capacity to manage ecosystems sustainably for human well-being
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ICSU was an institutional partner in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, which besides unravelling many key scientific issues, feeds into UN conventions on:• Biodiversity, • Desertification, • Migratory Species
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• Linking research, monitoring, and assessments with focus on global environmental change
• International Polar Year 2007-2008• Natural and Human-Induced Environmental
Hazards and Disasters• Science for Sustainable Development• Science for Human Health • Sustainable Energy
International Research Collaboration
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International Polar Year 2007 - 2008
Countries >50, research ideas >500, expected funding ~$2 bn
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• Linking research, monitoring, and assessments with focus on global environmental change
• International Polar Year 2007-2008• Natural and Human-Induced Hazards and
Disasters• Science for Sustainable Development• Science for Human Health • Sustainable Energy
International Research Collaboration
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Understanding, predicting, mitigating…ICSU focus on environment
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• Linking research, monitoring, and assessments with focus on global environmental change
• International Polar Year 2007-2008• Natural and Human-Induced Environmental
Hazards and Disasters• Science for Sustainable Development• Science for Human Health • Sustainable Energy
International Research Collaboration
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Connecting local livelihoods and global environment
SCIENCE
TECHNOLOGY
POLICY
Integration of three pillars: environment, social, and economic
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Sustainable development
Departure point- “Our Common Journey” and builds upon the WSSD process
Making science policy relevant; participatory approaches with other stakeholders; bridging the knowledge divide, S & T capacity building for SD
Initiative on Science and Technology for Sustainability (ISTS)-consortium approach-TWAS, UNESCO…
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• Linking research, monitoring, and assessments with focus on global environmental change
• International Polar Year 2007-2008• Natural and Human-Induced Environmental
Hazards and Disasters• Science for Sustainable Development• Science for Human Health and Well-being • Sustainable Energy
International Research Collaboration
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From aging population to emerging diseases
Infectious diseases and malaria to SARS, Avian flu…..
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• Linking research, monitoring, and assessments with focus on global environmental change
• International Polar Year 2007-2008• Natural and Human-Induced Environmental
Hazards and Disasters• Science for Sustainable Development• Science for Human Health • Sustainable Energy
International Research Collaboration
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Common features
• Complex scientific challenges• New knowledge and new approaches necessary• Trans-disciplinary: natural and social sciences
need to work together• Many stakeholders outside of science involved• Politically (and commercially) sensitive• Raise issues of equity and openness• Critical links between local and global challenges
and solutions
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There is enough on this earth for everyone’s needs but not for everyone’s
greed - Mahatma Gandhi
Policy, not charity, will determine whether modern science and technology become a tool for development everywhere ….and for all
Science for Policy
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“There is hardly any social problem on which science cannot make some contribution”
-D. K. Price, Scientific Estate
Science is never sufficient to solve a problem completely; it is, however, always necessary.
Science for policy and
Policy for Science
Science for policy and
Policy for Science
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Promoting Science for Policy
• Ensure that international research programmes address key policy issues
• Participate in major international assessments
• Produce authoritative statements
• Speak as the voice of international science in policy fora
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Authoritative Statements
Statement by the international science community on the Millennium Development Goals to the United Nations General Assembly, September 2005.
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Universality of Science
• The Principle of Universality of Science– Freedom and Responsibility in science
• Reaching out to all countries:– Access to Data and Information
– Regional Offices
– Capacity Building
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The Principle of Universality of Science
ICSU Statute 5:
• Founding principle of ICSU
• Stipulates non-discrimination and equity in the conduct of science
• Shared responsibility for all scientists in promoting and upholding the principle
• Freedoms also imply responsibilities
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Equitable Access to Scientific Information
• Policies:– Full and open access to scientific data
– Universal and equitable access to scientific publications
• Mechanisms, eg International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP)
• Coordination and partnerships– develop a multi-stakeholder Scientific Data and Information Forum (SciDiF)
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ICSU Regional Offices
• ICSU Regional Office for Africa inaugurated in September this year
• Further Offices to follow soon in the Arab Region, Asia/Pacific and Latin America/Caribbean
Aim:
To ensure that the voice of developing countries influences the international agenda setting and that scientists from the South are fully involved in the research
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The widening gap in ……human resource capacity &S & T infrastructure
are the most critical in the new knowledge based competitive world………and many of the asymmetries are directly related to it
S & T Capacity Building
Distribution of S & T capacities is even more lopsided than that of economic power
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World is asymmetric, not only in socio-economic arena but more so in S & T capacities
A basic paradigm………
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Strategic Partners
• The UN System, including:The UN System, including:
– UNESCOUNESCO
– UNEPUNEP and its Science Initiative
– Commission for Sustainable Development (CSDCSD)
– WMO, Climate Change, IPY, Natural Hazards
• The Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWASTWAS)
• The technological community (WFEO, CAETSWFEO, CAETS)
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A necessity -neither a luxury nor a political compulsion- for facing the global S & T challenges of the 21st century
Sustainable energy - new sources Climate change - global warming Health - emerging diseases- AIDS, SARS, obesity Natural hazards -tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes Environment - biodiversity conservation, extinctions Knowledge divide – ICT penetration Population stabilization – 9 bn by 2025! Sustainable development – a new way of life
Partnerships:
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In Conclusion
• Strengthening science for the benefit of society
• Promote the use of cutting edge science to address global challenges, stimulate innovation and for informed decision making
• Towards a fine balance between freedom and responsibility in the pursuit of Science
• Explore new mechanisms to share scientific knowledge and its understanding with stakeholders in society