English may be the language of science, but students learn better and contribute more when taught in their local tongue, says Giovanni Tapang.

Rio+20 should set up a scientific cooperation mechanism drawing on capabilities in both North and South, say Gisbert Glaser and Alice Abreu.

The online encyclopaedia can fill a resource gap for students, policymakers and the public, say Samuel A. Assefa and Alex Bateman.

The developing world is not well served by traditional research publishing, but can break new ground with open access, argues Leslie Chan.

Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan of Jordan discusses how global cooperation on science can benefit a knowledge-hungry world.

Few science centres offer hands-on experience for young people in Africa. Support is needed for an expansion plan, says Graham Durant.

'Boundary organisations' offer a space away from politics for scientists to engage government officials with their research, says Scott Drimie.

Online tools reveal a lot about world science — except location. 'Geotags' can fill a knowledge gap and throw up surprises, says Nigel Pitman.

Low levels of science literacy must be tackled by improving China's science media and encouraging scientists to get involved, says Li Daguang.

To see the research they fund in action, donors should work with good local governance, not informal networks, writes Justin O. Parkhurst.

Ambitious plans for a 'desert development corridor' in Egypt could provide a concrete example of the social value of science, says Athar Osama.

Young researchers in the developing world must get the support they need to help their countries alleviate poverty, argues Romain Murenzi.

More women teachers and better teaching methods will encourage girls to engage with science, says science educator Minella Clutario Alarcon.

The Islamic world needs new mechanisms that enable leaders to interact informally and share scientific knowledge, argues Athar Osama.

Egypt has a chance to operate its science institutions as meritocracies — a difficult but critical task, says Bruce Alberts.

Moroccans are receptive to science, but the country needs a much stronger communication and scientific literacy effort, says Aziz Bensalah.

Islamic nations' ministerial committee on S&T cooperation must refocus on policy leadership or risk losing relevance, says Athar Osama.

Developing countries must use science communication to create an empowering culture of science, says Jorge A. Huete-Pérez.

Africa's academies should take a leading role in lobbying their governments for science funding, argues Linda Nordling.

Reforms of science and higher education must deliver results to gain support of society, says science policy specialist Athar Osama.