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

A majority of Latin American countries suffer from worthy talk but little stable R&D funding. Long-term strategies should be a priority.

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.