SciDev.Net

Time to coordinate science aid

Harmonising 'science for development' funding would make science aid more effective, benefiting both donors and recipients.

EDITORIAL | 27 November 2009 | EN

Good, and bad, news on the 'science gap'

New figures on research spending show that the gap between rich and poor countries is closing — but not fast enough.

EDITORIAL | 9 October 2009 | EN | ES | 中文

UNESCO must reclaim science leadership

Will UNESCO's likely new head have the vision to deliver much-needed change in the organisation — especially in its science programmes?

EDITORIAL | 25 September 2009 | EN | 中文

Long-term solutions needed to feed the world's poor

More agricultural research funding and a farmer-centred approach to boosting food production are needed to prevent future food emergencies.

EDITORIAL | 17 April 2009 | EN | 中文

Contract and converge: The path to sustainable growth

This week's G20 summit in London must ensure that any solution to the global financial crisis also commits to sustainable economic growth.

EDITORIAL | 2 April 2009 | EN | FR | 中文

Japan integrates aid and scientific cooperation

Japan is the latest country to give scientific cooperation with developing countries a higher profile in its foreign aid policies.

EDITORIAL | 6 March 2009 | EN | 中文

Don't let price rises blow development off course

Commodity price rises are no substitute for long-term investment in infrastructure and capacity as a means of securing sustained development.

EDITORIAL | 8 August 2008 | EN | 中文

Promises, promises …

More efforts are needed to hold the leaders of the G8 nations to commitments made at their annual summit meetings.

EDITORIAL | 11 July 2008 | EN

Time to turn words into deeds on health research

African ministers have committed themselves to a set of actions to boost health research in their countries. Now they must implement them.

EDITORIAL | 27 June 2008 | EN | FR

Reforming the approach to 'demand-driven' research

An evaluation of Dutch-funded research programmes in developing countries raises questions about the concept of local "ownership".

EDITORIAL | 7 March 2008 | EN

Gates Foundation can't go it alone

Bill and Melinda Gates' forays into aid are to be welcomed, but they can only succeed alongside government involvement.

EDITORIAL | 7 February 2008 | EN | FR

Now it's up to Africa

Delay in the implementation of Africa's plan of action for science and technology suggests commitment to act does not yet go deep enough.

EDITORIAL | 29 November 2007 | EN | FR

China needs to encourage 'bottom-up' innovation

China's efforts to build an innovation-based economy require a less hierarchical approach to organising its research system.

EDITORIAL | 12 October 2007 | EN | 中文

G8 needs more 'joined-up' thinking on science

At its global summit next week the G8 needs to build on the work of its predecessors, putting science and technology back at the heart of the international aid agenda.

EDITORIAL | 1 June 2007 | EN | ES

World Bank must show political independence

The row over the World Bank president's behaviour reinforces the need to safeguard its lending policies from ideological pressure.

EDITORIAL | 18 May 2007 | EN

Science needs effective democracy to thrive

Last month's presidential elections in Nigeria have cast a shadow over the country's efforts to promote science and technology.

EDITORIAL | 2 May 2007 | EN

UNESCO needs a more strategic approach to science

The UN's need for advice on how to promote science and use it effectively is stronger than ever. UNESCO might fulfil this role but it needs the determination and human resources to do so.

EDITORIAL | 19 September 2006 | EN | ES

Funding African science – an invitation for ideas

Building an effective and accountable way to fund science and technology across Africa is a major challenge facing the region’s leaders and scientific communities. You are invited to join the debate.

EDITORIAL | 5 September 2006 | EN

G8 summit must remember the needs of the poor

The forthcoming meeting of heads of the world's industrialised nations must not let self-interest detract from the challenge of global poverty and efforts to soften the impact of globalisation on the developing world.

EDITORIAL | 11 July 2006 | EN

African science: now is the time to deliver

Next January, the heads of member states of the African Union will meet to discuss science and technology in what will be a unique opportunity to support the continent's scientific renaissance.

EDITORIAL | 16 June 2006 | EN