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32
UNESCO today
2|2005
Walter Erdelen / Howard Moore
Science, yes – but what kind?
In these early years of the Twentyfirst
Century, it is clear that science
remains at something of a crossroads.
There is almost universal acceptance
that science and technology
are major drivers of economic development,
and have provided our society
with a vastly improved way of life,
yet no-one can deny that there has
been a steady fall-off in public opinion,
which has seemed to be increasingly
skeptical and almost fearful of
science. Equally, governmental investment
in science is often not adequate
to build or maintain a healthy,
productive research community capable
of contributing to national progress.
There is no simple, universal
solution to the problem as to how a
nation can best balance its scientific
activities: each must plot its own
course towards sustainable national
development. There is, however, a
need for society and decision-makers
Maulbronn Monastery Complex
Photo: Hans-J. Aubert
to give science their full recognition
and commitment. There are positive
signs in Europe. Governments of the
Union have collectively recognized
the importance of developing a common
European Research Area that
will provide a competitive economy,
and have committed themselves to
increase the amount of Gross Domestic
Product that will be devoted
to science and technology in the
coming years. Time will tell as to
whether the ambitious targets they
have set will prove attainable or not.
What science?
But what are the features - the kind
of science - that we should be encouraging
in our world of the Third
Millennium? It is clear that we need
a science that would, first and foremost,
meet basic human needs
throughout the world, such as pri-
mary health care, sanitation, and the
provision of food, clean water and
energy, and generally improve the
quality of life for all. It would allow
greater understanding of the major
global environmental processes, a
more sustainable use of natural resources
and the mitigation of natural
disasters. It would be more equitable
in terms of access to information
and knowledge, and provide fairer
opportunities for entering and pursuing
scientific careers. And it would
provide a balance between the freedom
to pursue research without hindrance
of a political or economic nature,
and the ethical responsibilities
that are incumbent upon the individual
researcher.
Science certainly needs to play a
much greater role than hitherto in addressing
some of the most pressing
global challenges such as poverty,