UNESCO

Science for a Sustainable Future
The new 2030 Agenda represents a significant step forward in the recognition of Science,
Technology and Innovation (STI) as a driving force for sustainable development. With this
objective in mind, UNESCO worked in 2015 with Member States to develop national policies and
enhance their capacity in the natural sciences. The Organization also continued to make gender
equality a priority, and its actions this year were designed to increase the participation of girls
and women in all scientific domains. Another continuing concern has been to provide an ethical
perspective to support decision-makers in their scientific choices.
Tweet sent out by
UNESCO on the eve
of World Science
Day for Peace
and Development
(10 November) to
raise awareness
of the persistent
gender gap in
science research.
110
New data to bridge the gender gap in STEM
Mobilizing for
sustainability and science
beyond 2015
The awareness that scientific actions must
be designed for sustainability has gained
ground, but there is still a long way to go.
An Africa–Asia consultation on
Sustainability Science for the Post-2015
Agenda, held in March in Harare
(Zimbabwe), drew over 55 experts and
decision-makers in science, engineering,
technology and innovation from ten African
countries with other participants from
Europe, Asia and the United States joining
in via videoconferencing. The meeting was
also streamed live to selected universities
and development partners, so over
120 individuals and institutions were able
UIS data shows that only 28 per cent of the world’s researchers are women. A growing number of women
are enrolling in universities, but many do not continue to obtain the higher-level qualifications required
for a research career. UIS believes that providing data is an essential basis for addressing this loss of talent.
As a result, through the new project STEM and Gender Advancement (SAGA) the Institute is developing
a series of indicators about the dynamics that shape women’s decisions to pursue STEM careers, from their
educational pathways to social factors, such as starting a family and the workplace environment. This
evidence base should help to better target policies at the country, regional and global levels.
to participate. This African panel joined
with an Asian panel to discuss the role of
sustainability science in enhancing the
implementation of the SDGs after 2015. The
‘think tank’ of high-level experts identified
areas where sustainability science could aid
Africa’s economic, social and technological
resurgence. It declared that the new
Sustainable Development Agenda will rely
heavily on mobilizing Science, Engineering,
Technology and Innovation (SETI) to
create sustainable economic development
and shared prosperity. However, many
countries have not yet fully acknowledged
the importance of sustainability science for
economic development.
As a follow-up to the consultation,
UNESCO and the Government of Ghana
held in July the first of a planned series
of dialogues targeting African ministers,
parliamentarians and experts. The
event in Accra, on the theme ‘Regional
Ministers and Parliamentarians on
Mobilizing Science for Africa’s Sustainable
Development post-2015’, formed part
of UNESCO’s continuing efforts to find
ways to strengthen Africa’s performance
in SETI. Politicians are key to achieving
the effective exploitation and application
of SETI across the continent.