With the global community gearing up for World Health Day, informal dialogues can build partnerships to drive health policy.

Governments in the Middle East and North Africa are recognising the links between the uprisings and science for development, says Bothina Osama.

A SciDev.Net survey reveals the challenges of applying research insights to policy and practice, and underscores that evidence is not enough.

Stronger links between scientific tools and the environment in which they operate can improve the effectiveness of early warning.

Making science integral to the new development agenda will need new frameworks — and new thinking about the goals.

A pledge to increase support for biodiversity targets in developing countries is welcome, but care for indigenous people is vital too.

Progressive scientific diplomacy focused on building research capacity is in everybody's political interests, but significant challenges remain.

Promoting a human rights approach to S&T advances will reinforce moves towards inclusive development. But implementation challenges remain.

A consultation with science policy stakeholders in Asia–Pacific throws up tensions between research priorities that link to science governance.

The launch of a discussion website about the Rio+20 agenda raises questions about effective management for a successful outcome.

Efforts to promote sustainable development must tap into technologies developed locally, driven by community needs and priorities.

It's time to move from debate to action with new mechanisms for funding research into diseases faced by developing countries.

The shortage of credible and diverse voices in science undermines the capacity of journalists to respond to development challenges.

A meeting in London this week will show whether science can not only diagnose our environmental crisis but also provide effective solutions.

Management of marine resources for sustainable development needs local capacity for science, particularly in the Pacific region.

A new intergovernmental panel would not be the best way of tackling the multifaceted challenges of sustainable development.

One year after Egypt's revolution, enthusiasm and prospects for science are high — but still need translation into a fully functioning system.

A Ugandan report suggests that policymakers' interest in science and technology is growing. But they need support to turn it into action.

Next year's Rio+20 meeting must put science-based innovation at the heart of the development agenda. But the real battle will be political.