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Science & Innovation Policy: Science policy

Editorials

Here is a list of the latest articles

Hands reaching out

Science and NGO practice are closer than they appear

Recognising common ground is the first step towards concrete ways of enhancing the work of both scientists and development practitioners.

19 April 2013 | EN | ES

Health worker conducting survey in Mozambique

It's not too soon for plans to monitor new development goals

The next set of development goals should be underpinned by plans to measure progress and results — and to boost data infrastructures.

25 January 2013 | EN | ES | 中文

Protests for Egypt

Promise for science after the Arab Spring

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

13 December 2012 | EN | 中文

Child examined for malnourishment, DR Congo

Goals for science in the post-2015 development agenda

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

14 November 2012 | EN | ES | FR

Is the world ready for scientific diplomacy?

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

12 October 2012 | EN | ES | 中文

A Nigerian child is given the polio vaccine

Science and human rights: a valuable perspective

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

26 September 2012 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Focus group, Thailand

Global priorities, local context: a governance challenge

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

19 September 2012 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Researchers in Cambodia

Open access for development: a battle not yet won

The momentum for Open Access is unstoppable. Now the global science community must manage change to ensure poorer regions are not left behind.

24 August 2012 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Delivering vaccines, India

Scientific disciplines must link up to serve development

A greater commitment to multidisciplinary research, and to local problem solving, is essential to achieving future development goals.

13 August 2012 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Transistor radios distributed in Sri Lanka

From Higgs to humanity: discoveries for the common good

Big scientific discoveries, such as the God particle, can have great Earthly potential that must be shared by the world's poor.

13 July 2012 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

After Rio+20, developing countries must take the lead

Last week's summit has confirmed that sustainable development will only be achieved through the political leadership of developing countries.

29 June 2012 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Sha Zukang, Rio+20 secretary-general

Science can do more for sustainable development

The message from Rio+20 is for practical action to deliver existing targets. Scientists must identify and overcome barriers to change.

15 June 2012 | EN | ES | 中文

Science challenges in post-apartheid South Africa

South Africa's astronomy project must show local benefit

Co-hosting the world's largest radio telescope raises South Africa's scientific standing. But it must also help meet the country's social needs.

1 June 2012 | EN | FR | 中文

Agriculture experts use an app for mobile devices

Technical creativity needs nurturing at the grassroots

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

2 May 2012 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

WHO director general Margaret Chan, World Health Assembly 2011

We need a global treaty on health research for the poor

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

20 April 2012 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Journalists in Hoi An, Vietnam

Tackling the real crisis in science communication

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

4 April 2012 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Earth from space

Science must guide us towards a more sustainable future

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

23 March 2012 | EN | ES | 中文

Bird flu surveillance, Indonesia

Tackling bird flu effectively needs scientific openness

Efforts to limit publication of controversial bird flu research could end up doing more harm than good.

2 March 2012 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Fishermen in Maldives

Managing oceans with sound science

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

15 February 2012 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Earth from space

How not to move forward on achieving sustainability

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

10 February 2012 | EN | ES | FR | 中文