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36
UNESCO today
2|2005
1971
Man and the Biosphere
Programme
(MAB). The Coordinating
Council of the
programme, aiming for
the conservation and rational
use of natural resources,
sits for the first
time. More than 10,000 researchers
from 110 states
take part in the programme.
1972
German-Polish
schoolbook talks.
The first schoolbook
conference in Warsaw
(22nd to 26th February)
marks the beginning
of over thirty years of
cooperation.
5 billion people. Running through
UNESCO's science programmes is
the idea that developed countries
should help in spreading knowledge
to the developing countries, so as to
boost creativity in the interests of
both hemispheres.
Science and the public
The initiatives we have touched upon
in this article will not have much
sense if we are not able to attain, in
the framework of a new social contract
for science, one further objective:
the widespread popularization
of science and the building of a scientific
culture. Anyone living in a society
oriented towards science and
technology has an interest in understanding
and better appreciating their
role. The more citizens are informed,
the more able they are to operate in
the ever-more complex world in
which they live. And in any democratic
society citizens have the right
to decide upon matters that affect
their everyday lives – and that includes
science. Nor should we forget
that an enlightened public is an empowered
public – and one that is likely
to be supportive of science and
the public funding that it ultimately
needs. Society cannot be 'for science'
unless science is 'for society';
but equally, science cannot serve society
unless society is prepared to
give its full support to the scientific
endeavour. It is only through constructive
and continuing dialogue between
science and society that a
partnership of this kind can be sus-
The Schaalsee Biosphere Reserve
Photo: BR Schaalsee
tained. In this rapidly globalizing
world of ours we need to put renewed
effort into the dialogue between
science and society if we are
to have any chance of creating a future
in which one can properly serve
the interests of the other.
Prof. Dr. Walter Erdelen is Assistant
Director-General of UNESCO for
Natural Sciences.
Dr. Howard Moore is Director of the
UNESCO Office in Venice - Regional
Bureau for Science in Europe (Roste).