Initiatives to boost public participation on S&T policies must clarify their objectives and their impact should be assessed, says Carla Almeida.

Africa's ever-improving climate change data need to be put to better use if they are to help farmers and avert disasters, says Linda Nordling.

Kenya has bypassed its own biosafety watchdog in banning GM foods, which will stifle balanced debate of GM in Africa, says Linda Nordling.

Developing countries deserve more support for their efforts to prioritise climate change in development, writes climate expert Simon Anderson.

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

Earthquake science was not on trial in Italy — it was about inadequate information and participation in decision-making, says Carina Fearnley.

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

A lack of evidence to convince policymakers holds back progress on grassroots innovation in agriculture, say Brigid Letty and Martin Bell.

A collaborative project in Ethiopia that has created climate data and tools can be applied in much of Africa, says climate scientist Tufa Dinku.

Indonesia has a poor track record in funding R&D, stifling biomedical progress. Priya Shetty joins a call for funding reform.

To make science truly useful to development, we need a new, inclusive system of tracking publications, says S&T policy expert Caroline Wagner.

Islamic countries need to shake up their scientific establishments to commercialise technology and promote innovation, says Athar Osama.

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

Implementation is the primary challenge for renewed family planning efforts, says demography and population specialist John May.

The protection of mountain ecosystems has been one of the few areas to benefit from Rio+20, says commentator Joydeep Gupta

Quack science and illogical claims abound in Pakistan, says Pervez Hoodbhoy.

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

Next month's meeting in Brazil needs send the right signals to encourage progress on sustainability, says ODI's Claire Melamed.

Technological innovation can't be imposed on poor people — they must be engaged to select ideas that suit their lives, writes Lawrence Gudza.