Science as a Global Public Good

The paper published by the International Science Council (ISC) explores the importance of science as a global public good: a source of beneficial and applicable knowledge that is freely available and accessible worldwide, and which can be used by anyone, anywhere, without preventing or impeding its use by others.

Science as a Global Public Good

Science as a Global Public Good is available in seven languages

The position paper develops the ISC’s vision of science as a global public good, expanding on the implications of that vision for how science is conducted and used, and on the roles that it plays in society. As such, the paper provides an important foundation to inform all of the ISC’s activities and work to support and maintain ethical practice in science, as well as to advance science that responds to the needs of society.

The paper argues that science has two fundamental attributes that underpin its value as a global public good: that knowledge claims and the evidence on which they are based are made openly available to scrutiny, and that the results of scientific research are communicated promptly and efficiently so that all who may wish or need to access those results can do so.

This paper reminds scientists of their roots and their contemporary obligations. Affirming the continued relevance of the basics of scientific practice – in peer review and the full and free circulation of methods and findings – it moves to our current predicament, calling on scientists to engage in ‘responsible advocacy’ to ensure that the kind of knowledge they produce is heard and heeded, and to participate in multi-disciplinary science for addressing planetary concerns such as inequality and global warming. What a very powerful call to both scientific consistency and new action this elegant paper makes!

Ruth Fincher, Member of the ISC Governing Board

This excellent paper thoughtfully argues why science is crucial to the advancement of society. A crucial theme is that of the social contract between scientific practitioners and the public. In return for funding, scientists not only produce the most reliable form of knowledge, but also have the responsibility to communicate their findings, expose the evidence for their truth claims, and mitigate possible harmful uses of their discoveries. The paper should be mandatory reading for researchers, students, scientific advisors, journalists and decision makers!

Pearl Dykstra, Member of the ISC Governing Board

This is a timely moment to re-examine and re-affirm the importance of science as a global public good: societies worldwide are faced by complex, urgent challenges such as climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, at the same time as new technologies with profound implications for human society, such as Artificial Intelligence, are becoming more widely used.

Author of the paper and Vice-chair of the ISC Committee for Science Planning, Geoffrey Boulton, said:

“The COVID-19 pandemic is a global wake-up call telling us that the many hazards that humanity faces are not future concerns but current realities, that national solutions alone are quite inadequate, and that global collaboration for the public good is essential. Understanding and enhancing the role of science as a global public good is vital in serving those purposes and in combating the rising chorus of misinformation.”

Chair of the Committee for Science Planning and incoming President of the ISC, Peter Gluckman, said:

“This is a critically important position paper for the ISC: it clearly points out how sciences and scientists have responsibilities to society. It pragmatically, but with sound and principled underpinnings, outlines how science should be conducted to ensure that scientific knowledge is properly available to advance global public good while recognizing the role of the private and government sectors. I hope it is carefully read and reflected on by all those who are a part of the global science system.”

The position paper was published as an updated edition in November 2021.

Science as a Global Public Good

Science as a Global Public Good is available in the following languages:

French

Spanish

Chinese

Arabic

Japanese

Russian

If you would like to assist the ISC in translating this important document into other languages to promote our vision to advance science as a global public good, please contact secretariat@council.science

Acknowledgements: The ISC would like to thank the The Science Council of Japan, the ISC Latin American and Caribbean regional focal point in Colombia, and Natalia Tarasova for their assistance with the translations.

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Scientific knowledge can be most helpful when it is a ‘public good’ – when it benefits all members of society, and is freely available to all.

More information about this project will be published in the second half of 2020.

Photo: Ars Electronica / Robert Bauernhansl via Flickr.

  • Disclaimer: The translations are automatically generated by Google Translate and may contain errors. The ISC is not liable for any damage or issues that may arise from these translations. You can provide your feedback by emailing us at webmaster@council.science
    Note: Please note that the ‘Science Summit at the UN General Assembly’ in September 2023 is not an event of the International Science Council. The International Science Council has no association with this event nor with the organizer of the event.
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