The role of UNESCO
Background to UNESCO's current programme
The changing role of governments
The world's economies are undergoing a fundamental transformation to knowledge-based industries.
The role of Governments is changing. The democratic practice is making the decision-making process
more complex and requires decision-support systems. Countries must, therefore, respond with policies,
programmes, institutions and partnerships that will maximize their economic opportunities and sustain
social fabrics. Governments must re-evaluate not only where they spend their S&T resources, but also
how to spend more effectively and efficiently. There is also a need to focus on establishing partnerships
and networks an innovation system that enhances the ability of countries to share knowledge and
information.
At the same time, the effective management of relations between society, science and technology
is becoming vital to present and future developments because of increasing and sometimes contradictory
pressures of economic competitiveness and broad social demands.
Accordingly, any future programme should take into consideration the following factors:
- Shift in emphasis in the role of governments to become partners to businesses, academic institutions, other governments and voluntary organizations will stimulate increased S&T activity.
- Better governance of the S&T efforts. At the highest level, this means strengthening the role of parliaments. It also requires participatory policy reviews resulting in a common set of principles and guidelines to further improve the management of S&T effort in government departments and agencies.
- genuine partnerships and collaborations of the partners in the innovation system to make sure that the overall S&T effort matches the domestic and global challenges.
The worldwide reflection on the role of science in the twenty-first century, initiated and promoted by
UNESCO, culminated in the holding of the World Conference on: Science for the twenty-first century:
a new commitment (Budapest 26 June-1 July 1999)
In the Declaration on science and the use of scientific knowledge and the
Science Agenda-Framework
for Action adopted by it, the Conference highlighted the vital importance of science policy. The Conference
emphasized the fact that "regional and international networking and co-operation can facilitate the exchange
of national experiences and the design of more coherent science policies".
The link between science and society and governance has been underlined, as the role that
science plays in helping societies to achieve sustainable ecological and economic development. In this
process the alliance between technical science and holistic wisdom from different cultures can be very
important.
The role of UNESCO
The main role of UNESCO is that of an initiator of new thinking on policy development, a major instigator
of reforms and innovations and a promoter of international co-operation. UNESCO,
stimulates innovative co-operative programmes at regional and international levels, develops analytical work
in co-operation with other institutions namely OECD and the UNU, and supports regional S&T Policy
networks. UNESCO also serves as a clearing-house, thus facilitating exchange of experiences.
Action focuses on assisting Member States in the implementation of the actions and recommendations
contained in the Declaration and Framework for Action of the World Conference on Science that deal with
science policy. UNESCO sassist in drawing up guidelines for policy formulation with the active participation
of stakeholders in the civil society and its institutions and industry.
UNESCO's role covers the following domains:
- Governance of S&T and its implications
- Policy Guidance
- Capacity Building
- Prospective thinking
Governance of S&T and its implications
- Assist in bringing to light policy options for the governance of S&T systems in the new context
- Promote co-operative networks with and among parliamentarians on issues of legislation
- Support participatory policy reviews resulting in a view to improving the management of S&T effort at
the national level.
- Promote public debate on S&T issues and public participation on science policy options
- Raise public awareness, diffuse scientific and technological culture in the society and fill the gaps
in public understanding of science;
Science Policy Guidance
- technical advise and guidance on formulation, implementation, monitoring, and review of policies and
plans concerning national S&T activities;
- comparative analysis of social and cultural conditions for the success and failures of science and
technology policies;
- policy advice to developing countries and countries in transition for the generation of innovation,
preservation and effective utilization of their S&T potential.
- comparative studies on policies, programmes and institutions for the financing of S&T activities in
government, in the academic and non-governmental sectors; for example the use of government's
purchasing power as a stimulus to innovation, the foreign financing of domestic S&T activities etc.
Human Resource Development and Capacity-building
- development of national capabilities for the formulation, implementation, monitoring, and review
of policies and plans concerning national S&T activities;
- provision of programs to promote international training of S&T personnel and improved management
of technology. For this purpose, graduate programmes on S&T policy and social aspects of science will
be supported. Training in legal and ethical issues and regulations guiding international R&D in strategic
areas such as information and communication technologies, biodiversity and biotechnology will be
developed for scientists and professionals concerned. Science managers and decision-makers would
have regular access to training and updating to cope with the changing needs of modem society in the
areas of S&T.
- creation of institutional capacity, capability and competence in S&T. Moreover, Governments of developing countries and countries in transition would be encouraged to enhance the status of scientific and technical careers and make determined efforts to improve their working conditions.
- Stimulation of public interest in and support of national initiatives in science.
- support social science research to better understand and manage the tensions characterizing the relations between science and technology on the one hand, and the different societies and their institutions on the other hand. Transfer of technology, should be accompanied by analysis of its possible impact on populations and society.
Prospective studies
- continuous forecasting and monitoring of development in S&T and their likely impact at national and international levels
- Identification and investigation of the ethical and social implications of scientific and technological developments
- forecasting and assessing the likely directions of technical change; assessment of the respective roles of public and private sectors as well as the new partnerships to be established with all stakeholders
- reflection on problems issues of moral and ethical nature raised by scientific discoveries and technological innovation
Background to UNESCO's current programme
During the period 1988-1993, the Science &Technology Policy Programme (STP) evolved into a Programme
on Science Technology and Society (STS). This programme had three main components:
- Promotion of scientific and technological culture in the society, which included: the organization
of the first World Conference on Science Journalists and the international seminars on planning science
museums.
- Assistance in the management of science and technology policies and training of personnel, with
emphasis on the provision of policy advice and establishment of regional networks of training and
research in this field.
- Science ethics
The General Conference, at its twenty-seven session, adopted a decision to terminate this STS
programme. The main reason was the need to concentrate UNESCO's resources on a smaller number
of priority areas.
The same General Conference, however, adopted a resolution inviting the Director-General to "...to
promote the reflection on the place, in UNESCO's programme as a whole, of the questions relating to
science, technology and society"
The Director-general nominated a group of experts to advise him on the issue. The group submitted
its conclusions in July 1994 It recommended to the Director-General that "…steps be taken as soon as
possible to launch a Programme on science and society-including the allocation of resources and the
establishment of an appropriate supporting structure, so that its can be fully operational in the next
medium - term plan 1996-2001".
Science, Technology and
Innovation Policy
