SciDev.Net

A new study confirms the valuable role of 'intermediary organisations' in bringing scientific and policy-making communities closer together.

Commodity price rises are no substitute for long-term investment in infrastructure and capacity as a means of securing sustained development.

Governments and donors must find ways to tackle the rise in non-communicable disease, which can mean reassessing health priorities in developing nations.

More efforts are needed to hold the leaders of the G8 nations to commitments made at their annual summit meetings.

Successful efforts to implement effective South–South research collaboration require a better understanding of what works best and why.

The simple communication of key scientific information to the public needs to be improved if sustainable development is to be a realistic goal.

A recent report is a welcome analysis of modern agriculture's future, but it fails to adequately recognise the role of science and technology.

Washington should use the new wave of optimism for science to drive policy-making rather than to boost political agendas.

Bill and Melinda Gates' forays into aid are to be welcomed, but they can only succeed alongside government involvement.

As this year's president of the G8, Japan has an opportunity to boost international support for science and technology in development.

Developing countries need economic stability and social inclusion to develop — both of which are in jeopardy in Kenya and Pakistan as 2008 dawns.

A commitment to biofuels should be based on a careful assessment of their prospective benefits and costs, not a blind leap of faith.

The world must not miss its second chance to take a radically different approach to energy consumption.

Europe's recent bid to attract more skilled workers underlines developing countries' need for greater – not less – investment in their intellectual capital.

Last week's award of the Nobel peace prize signals the coming of age of the public communication of science.

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

The fight against biopiracy must embrace both legitimate science and social justice if biodiversity itself is not to suffer.

The success of a recent SciDev.Net meeting on science journalism in Bolivia reflects growing recognition for the field in Latin America.

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

At its global summit next week the G8 needs to build on the work of its predecessors, putting science and technology back at the heart of the international aid agenda.