SciDev.Net

The limits of science diplomacy

Using science for diplomatic purposes has obvious attractions and several benefits. But there are limits to what it can achieve.

EDITORIAL | 4 June 2009 | EN | ES | 中文

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

Turning the brain drain from threat to opportunity

Europe's recent bid to attract more skilled workers underlines developing countries' need for greater – not less – investment in their intellectual capital.

EDITORIAL | 2 November 2007 | EN | ES | 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

Simple and cheap: Nepal's application of science

Almost unnoticed, Nepal is developing simple and cheap technologies that make the best of local resources and don't damage the environment.

EDITORIAL | 16 August 2007 | EN

Africa's scientific revolution must start at the roots

If Africa is to build a sustainable science and technology infrastructure, it needs more than just enthusiastic promises from heads of state.

EDITORIAL | 1 February 2007 | EN

Hard choices in Africa's bid for scientific excellence

Disagreement on how to create collaborative centres of excellence in Africa could weaken the continent's efforts for scientific revival.

EDITORIAL | 14 December 2006 | EN

A time of challenge and opportunity for the WHO

The new head of the World Health Organization, Margaret Chan, must balance both political and scientific pressures if she is to succeed at improving global health efforts.

EDITORIAL | 15 November 2006 | EN

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

Should developing nations embrace nuclear energy?

A combination of factors appears to be pushing the risk-benefit balance back into nuclear's favour as an energy option for developing countries. SciDev.Net readers are invited to comment.

EDITORIAL | 21 July 2006 | EN | ES

UN-GAID: just another acronym?

There is a need to link up the thousands of communications technology initiatives littered across the developing world, but is another UN technocracy the right answer?

EDITORIAL | 29 June 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

China must address the roots of scientific fraud

A new commission set up by China to monitor scientific malpractice should look beyond the acts of individuals to the way that the country's science is run.

EDITORIAL | 31 May 2006 | EN | 中文

Tsunami disaster: a failure in science communication

At the heart of the devastation caused by the Indian Ocean tsunamis lies a failure to communicate scientific information adequately to either decision-makers or the community. Important lessons are to be learnt about the need for professional skills.

EDITORIAL | 17 January 2005 | EN

Challenges for science communication in Latin America

The past 20 years have seen a boom in science communication in Latin America. But there is still a long way before it can be said that information about science is consistently reaching everyone on the continent.

EDITORIAL | 12 July 2004 | EN | ES

Can the Commonwealth put new wine in an old bottle?

Clubs are useful organisations, provided that they genuinely meet the needs of their members. The Commonwealth Science Council is — or rather, could be — a good example.

EDITORIAL | 23 June 2003 | EN

SciDev.Net's Latin American gateway

Hebe Vessuri explains the thinking behind SciDev.Net's decision to launch a regional gateway for Latin America and the Caribbean.

EDITORIAL | 28 May 2003 | ES

Science communication needs in Latin America

Last week saw the launch in São Paulo, Brazil, of our second regional network, SciDev.Net Latin America. A public meeting underlined the need for such an initiative.

EDITORIAL | 20 May 2003 | EN | ES

A surgical strike on developing world diseases

A new initiative to attack key 'roadblocks' to the treatment of diseases, though welcome, must not lose sight of the broader picture.

EDITORIAL | 6 May 2003 | EN

SciDev.Net is one year old

The end of the first year of operation of this website is an appropriate time to reflect on experience so far and plans for the coming year.

EDITORIAL | 9 December 2002 | EN