The UN organisation with responsibility for science should embrace its role in tackling poverty — not keep it at arm's length.

Ensuring science is conducted with integrity requires a supportive culture, not draconian rules and sanctions.

Brazil must ensure its support for science becomes long-term commitment, not one restricted to the mandate of a particular government.

Even focused research will not deliver agricultural progress unless donors also help join up links in the development chain.

With higher education returning to the aid agenda, SciDev.Net examines the successes, challenges and lessons to be learnt.

Universities in developing countries should ditch the 'ivory tower' legacy of colonialism and enhance their links with the world outside.

Improving scientific literacy in developing countries' parliaments would boost sustainable development.

Disagreement on how to create collaborative centres of excellence in Africa could weaken the continent's efforts for scientific revival.

Although GM crops are controversial, they can still play an important role in meeting the world's food needs. But the controversies do highlight the need for a robust regulatory framework.