1. Strengthening International Science for the Benefit of Society Goverdhan Mehta, ICSU President

2. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest2 ICSU: a long history Founded in 1931, but roots back to 1899 A membership organization with: 103 National Members (mostly Academies) 29 International Scientific Unions Establishes interdisciplinary bodies; sponsors programs in key areas of global concern Limited finances but unique worldwide access to intellectual resources

3. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest3 ICSU mission ICSU mobilizes the knowledge and resources of the international science community to: Identify and address major issues of importance to science and society Facilitate interaction of scientists across disciplines and among nations Promote participation of all scientists regardless of race, citizenship, language, political stance or gender Stimulate constructive dialogue between the scientific community, governments, civil society and the private sector

4. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest4 The ICSU Vision “ “A world where science is used for the benefit of all, excellence in science is valued and scientific knowledge is effectively linked to policy-making. In such a world, universal and equitable access to scientific data and information is a reality and all countries have the scientific capacity to use these ….”

5. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest5 The ICSU Vision “ “A world where science is used for the benefit of all, excellence in science is valued and scientific knowledge is effectively linked to policy-making. In such a world, universal and equitable access to scientific data and information is a reality and all countries have the scientific capacity to use these ….”

6. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest6 ICSU Strategic Plan 2006-2011 Process: 6yrs of intense evaluation, review, planning and dialogue with scientists across the world Priority setting: Science driven prioritization of societally important issues Product(s): A total of 13 separate expert reviews, reports and statements www.icsu.org Implementation strategy GA charge to EB & CSPR “It’s not what the vision is, it’s what the vision does….” - Peter Senge

7. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest7 Science- beyond discovery Broader engagement underpins science of the future to meet new global challenges and increased societal expectations In the 21st century, need for a more inclusive view of science Addressing human needs and concerns

8. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest8 International Research Collaboration Science and Policy Universality of Science Three major inter-related themes

9. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest9 International Research Collaboration Linking research, monitoring, and assessments with focus on global environmental change International Polar Year 2007-2008 Natural and Human-Induced Environmental Hazards and Disasters Science for Sustainable Development Science for Human Health Sustainable Energy Linking research, monitoring, and assessments with focus on global environmental change

10. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest10 an integrated study of the Earth System, the changes occurring to the System, and the implications for global sustainability. Earth System Science Partnership

11. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest11 The four global change programmes provide the framework for the science on which IPCC assessments are built. A successful, timely, science based engagement

12. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest12 ICSU’s role: Global Change example 100% Research Planning and Coordination Initialization ICSU US$ 2 bn 0.5% 0.005% Seeding and catalysis US$ 10 mn US$ 100 k

13. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest13 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Strengthening capacity to manage ecosystems sustainably for human well-being

14. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest14 ICSU was an institutional partner in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, which besides unravelling many key scientific issues, feeds into UN conventions on: Biodiversity, Desertification, Migratory Species

15. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest15 Linking research, monitoring, and assessments with focus on global environmental change International Polar Year 2007-2008 Natural and Human-Induced Environmental Hazards and Disasters Science for Sustainable Development Science for Human Health Sustainable Energy International Research Collaboration

16. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest16 International Polar Year 2007 - 2008 Countries >50, research ideas >500, expected funding ~$2 bn

17. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest17 Linking research, monitoring, and assessments with focus on global environmental change International Polar Year 2007-2008 Natural and Human-Induced Hazards and Disasters Science for Sustainable Development Science for Human Health Sustainable Energy International Research Collaboration

18. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest18 Understanding, predicting, mitigating… ICSU focus on environment

19. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest19 Linking research, monitoring, and assessments with focus on global environmental change International Polar Year 2007-2008 Natural and Human-Induced Environmental Hazards and Disasters Science for Sustainable Development Science for Human Health Sustainable Energy International Research Collaboration

20. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest20 Connecting local livelihoods and global environment SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY POLICY Integration of three pillars: environment, social, and economic

21. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest21 Sustainable development  Departure point- “Our Common Journey” and builds upon the WSSD process  Making science policy relevant; participatory approaches with other stakeholders; bridging the knowledge divide, S & T capacity building for SD  Initiative on Science and Technology for Sustainability (ISTS)-consortium approach- TWAS, UNESCO…

22. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest22 Linking research, monitoring, and assessments with focus on global environmental change International Polar Year 2007-2008 Natural and Human-Induced Environmental Hazards and Disasters Science for Sustainable Development Science for Human Health and Well-being Sustainable Energy International Research Collaboration

23. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest23 From aging population to emerging diseases Infectious diseases and malaria to SARS, Avian flu…..

24. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest24 Linking research, monitoring, and assessments with focus on global environmental change International Polar Year 2007-2008 Natural and Human-Induced Environmental Hazards and Disasters Science for Sustainable Development Science for Human Health Sustainable Energy International Research Collaboration

25. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest25 Common features Complex scientific challenges New knowledge and new approaches necessary Trans-disciplinary: natural and social sciences need to work together Many stakeholders outside of science involved Politically (and commercially) sensitive Raise issues of equity and openness Critical links between local and global challenges and solutions

26. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest26 There is enough on this earth for everyone’s needs but not for everyone’s greed - Mahatma Gandhi Policy, not charity, will determine whether modern science and technology become a tool for development everywhere ….and for all Science for Policy

27. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest27 “There is hardly any social problem on which science cannot make some contribution” -D. K. Price, Scientific Estate Science is never sufficient to solve a problem completely; it is, however, always necessary. Science for policy and Policy for Science Science for policy and Policy for Science

28. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest28 Promoting Science for Policy Ensure that international research programmes address key policy issues Participate in major international assessments Produce authoritative statements Speak as the voice of international science in policy fora

29. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest29 Authoritative Statements Statement by the international science community on the Millennium Development Goals to the United Nations General Assembly, September 2005.

30. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest30 Universality of Science The Principle of Universality of Science –Freedom and Responsibility in science Reaching out to all countries: –Access to Data and Information –Regional Offices – Capacity Building

31. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest31 The Principle of Universality of Science ICSU Statute 5: Founding principle of ICSU Stipulates non-discrimination and equity in the conduct of science Shared responsibility for all scientists in promoting and upholding the principle Freedoms also imply responsibilities

32. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest32 Equitable Access to Scientific Information Policies: –Full and open access to scientific data –Universal and equitable access to scientific publications Mechanisms, eg International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) Coordination and partnerships– develop a multi- stakeholder Scientific Data and Information Forum (SciDiF)

33. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest33 ICSU Regional Offices ICSU Regional Office for Africa inaugurated in September this year Further Offices to follow soon in the Arab Region, Asia/Pacific and Latin America/Caribbean Aim: To ensure that the voice of developing countries influences the international agenda setting and that scientists from the South are fully involved in the research

34. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest34 The widening gap in …… human resource capacity & S & T infrastructure are the most critical in the new knowledge based competitive world………and many of the asymmetries are directly related to it S & T Capacity Building Distribution of S & T capacities is even more lopsided than that of economic power

35. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest35 World is asymmetric, not only in socio-economic arena but more so in S & T capacities A basic paradigm………

36. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest36 Strategic Partners The UN System, including:The UN System, including: – UNESCO – UNEP – UNEP and its Science Initiative CSD – Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD) – WMO, Climate Change, IPY, Natural Hazards TWASThe Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS) WFEO, CAETSThe technological community (WFEO, CAETS)

37. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest37 A necessity -neither a luxury nor a political compulsion- for facing the global S & T challenges of the 21 st century Sustainable energy - new sources Climate change - global warming Health - emerging diseases- AIDS, SARS, obesity Natural hazards -tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes Environment - biodiversity conservation, extinctions Knowledge divide – ICT penetration Population stabilization – 9 bn by 2025! Sustainable development – a new way of life Partnerships:

38. 10 November, 2005World Science Forum, Budapest38 In Conclusion Strengthening science for the benefit of society Promote the use of cutting edge science to address global challenges, stimulate innovation and for informed decision making Towards a fine balance between freedom and responsibility in the pursuit of Science Explore new mechanisms to share scientific knowledge and its understanding with stakeholders in society