…Strengthening international science for the benefit of society… INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE The Royal Society 12 September 2002 1 ICSU – Quo Vadis?

The Royal Society 12 September 2002 1

…Strengthening international science for the benefit of society…INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE

ICSU – Quo Vadis?

Professor Professor

Thomas RosswallThomas Rosswall

Executive DirectorExecutive Director

ICSUICSU, , ParisParis



Point of departure – the ICSU Assessment Panel Report

1. An incubator of ”entrepreneurial activities”

2. Umbrella for policy for science

3. Strong voice for international science

4. Streamlined governance system

5. Review fragmentation of ICSU membership



Committee for Scientific Planning and Review (CSPR)

• Strategic planning and review- Environment and sustainable development- Capacity building- Data and information

• Study of key emerging issues• Revised grants programme• Review of COSTED/IBN



Review of COSTED/IBN• Thank COSTED/IBN ExCom and

Secretariat and dissolve the Special Advisory Committee

• Establish ICSU Regional Offices for Developing Countries in Africa, Asia, the Arab Region and Latin America

• Endorse the establishment of a Policy Committee on Science and Technology in Developing Countries



Scientific Fora at GA for priority discussions

• Science for Sustainable Development

• Energy and Sustainable Societies

• Ensuring Global Access to Scientific Data and Information

• Capacity Building for Science



Revitalising ICSU Committees

• The following committees are proposed to be dissolved:- Committee on Governance- COSTED/IBN- SCRES- CSFS- SCOWAR- ACOGEB



Revitalising ICSU Committees (cont.)• The following committees are proposed to be

given only a one year extension:- SCFCS- CCBS

• The following new committee is propose- Policy Committee on Developing Countries- Ad hoc Committee for planning a Programme on Science and Technology for Sustainmable Development- Ad hoc reviews; 3 from CSPR plus SCRES-SCFCS



Better communication

• Webmaster and Communication Officer hired

• Communication strategy developed:- New graphic profile- Redesigned webpage- New Science International- Quarterly electronic newsletter- Year Book in webversion only- New Annual Report- More press releases



WSSD – Policy for Science and Science for Policy• InterInternational Council for Science (ICSU)national Council for Science (ICSU)• World Federation of Engineering World Federation of Engineering

Organisation (WFEO)Organisation (WFEO)In collaboration withIn collaboration with::• The InterAcademy Panel (IAP)The InterAcademy Panel (IAP)• The International Social Science Council The International Social Science Council

(ISSC)(ISSC)• The Third World Academy of Sciences The Third World Academy of Sciences

(TWAS)(TWAS)



Scientific and Technological Communities: Successes

• Unprecedented international Unprecedented international collaborationcollaboration

• Important collaboration between Important collaboration between natural and social sciencesnatural and social sciences

• Results have been central for the Results have been central for the policy processpolicy process

• An increasing number of developing An increasing number of developing country scientists are involved as full country scientists are involved as full partnerspartners



Scientific and Technological Communities: Failures• Lack of involvement from the medical Lack of involvement from the medical

sciencessciences• Lack of involvement of engineering and Lack of involvement of engineering and

technological communities, except for technological communities, except for CSD 9CSD 9

• Focus on environmental with little Focus on environmental with little emphasis on social and economic pillarsemphasis on social and economic pillars

• Technology transfers have generally not Technology transfers have generally not occurredoccurred

• Relative lack of involvement of LDCsRelative lack of involvement of LDCs• The private sector is only marginally The private sector is only marginally

involvedinvolved



Scientific and Technological Communities: Proposals

• Good governance needs good scienceGood governance needs good science• Each country needs scientific Each country needs scientific

understanding for international understanding for international negotiationsnegotiations

• Science is a necessary, but not Science is a necessary, but not sufficient, for sustainable developmentsufficient, for sustainable development

• Scientific divide - capacity buildingScientific divide - capacity building• Digital divide - information is not Digital divide - information is not

knowledgeknowledge• Integration of the three pillarsIntegration of the three pillars



S&T delegation at Johannesburg• Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation and

organized nine sessions• Presentation, on behalf of the S&T Community, during

the WSSD segment with Heads of State/Government• Official statements relating to capacity building and

appropriate technologies• S&T delegation members took part in the round tables

of Heads of State/Government• S&T delegation members represented the community

during the thematic panel debates of the Summit• ICSU and partners have submitted a Type II proposal

on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development

• Nine reports in the Series Science for Sustainable Development



The Challenge• Integrate the environmental, social and

economic pillars in S&T• Implement a truly participatory approach• Convince youth that science and engineering

is exciting and rewarding; capacity building• Address Water, Energy, Health, Agriculture

and Biodiversity; the WEHAB of Kofi Annan• Stimulate and support inquisity-driven basic

scientific research



The Future• Implement the Type II submission on Science

and Technology for Sustainable Development

• Discussions during the ICSU General Assembly in September

• Planning committee to be established within the scientific and technological community

• Involvement of dialogue partners• Approaches to public and private funding

bodies at the early planning stage



International Council for Science

... strengthening international science for the benefit of society ...

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…Strengthening international science for the benefit of society… INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE The Royal Society 12 September 2002 1 ICSU – Quo Vadis?