How scientific knowledge is presented in public debate, by scientists or journalists, has a big influence on its impact, says David Dickson.

Abdus Salam used his genius to promote science in the developing world, but his legacy remains unfulfilled, says Athar Osama.

In addition to programmes for training abroad, Latin America needs measures and organisations for the promotion of science, writes Carla Almeida.

As the Obama administration begins a second term, USAID's Alex Dehgan describes how the agency will build on its science-for-development agenda.

A successful model for making more out of physics for development is ready to roll out to others, writes Dipali Bhatt-Chauhan.

A six-country assessment shows how women's inclusion in science should be supported, write gender experts Sophia Huyer and Nancy Hafkin.

The US development agency looks set to build on its 'development science' efforts during Barack Obama's second term, writes David Dickson.

The renaming of TWAS reflects changes in global science. But its original priorities must be maintained, says David Dickson.

Pakistan's 'open access instrumentation' initiative can be replicated in other developing countries, opines Atta-ur-Rahman.

Theatre is a powerful tool to mobilise women farmers in Africa, say agriculture specialists Lindiwe Majele Sibanda and Sithembile Mwamakamba.

Looking through a 'human rights lens' can improve S&T programmes, while S&T can help strengthen human rights work, says lawyer Jessica Wyndham.

Development programmes must move away from top-down approaches to empower networks of activity, argues USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah.

Fruitful dialogue in Africa shows the gap between climate scientists and decision makers can be bridged, says adaptation specialist Arame Tall.

The UN conference to be held in Brazil next week should act as a catalyst for a sustainable development agenda, says Carlos Nobre.

Building a community of innovation scholars will promote locally relevant research and policy, say Bitrina Diyamett and Erika Kraemer-Mbula.

Rio+20 must launch SDGs to guide countries through complex development challenges, argues Colombian ministry official Paula Caballero Gómez.

Conflicts over shared water resources could be mitigated through science-based environmental cooperation, argue Saleem Ali and Pamela Griffin.

Current models of innovation ignore small-scale technology — institutions must ensure it's a key part of the agenda, says Tony Marjoram.

Countries in the region need an organised, concerted effort to strengthen scientific input into decision-making, urges Crispin Maslog.