UNESCO. General Conference; 30th; Records ... - unesdoc - Unesco

Science Agenda - Framework for Action. These documents have been recommended by the Commission for
endorsement by the General Conference. Some delegates requested simplified versions of these documents that
would be more accessible to decision-makers and the public at large. Many delegates urged that immediate action
should be taken to implement the recommendations of the Conference. They also requested UNESCO to report to
Member States and participating partners on progress in the follow-up to the World Conference on Science.
41.4 A number of priority areas for the follow-up to the World Conference were highlighted by delegates.
Many stressed that the Declaration and the Framework for Action attached high priority to the promotion of
science education and the strengthening of national capacities. An expanding role for young scientists and the
need for education in science ethics was also emphasized. Numerous delegates also stressed the urgent need to
address gender imbalance in science, calling for the strengthening of the role of women in science and
technology, and for science education for girls. Grave concerns were raised about the “brain drain” that continues
to erode the limited human resources in science and technology of many developing countries.
41.5 Many delegates emphasized the need to revitalize traditional and local knowledge systems. That
notwithstanding, several other delegates acknowledged the importance of investigating more thoroughly the
relation between science and traditional knowledge. A number of delegates requested UNESCO’s assistance, to
enable them to review their present science policies and to design new strategies. Delegates regretted that more
time had not been provided in the Commission for this wide-ranging and highly relevant debate concerning the
World Conference on Science.
41.6 Turning to the basic and engineering sciences, many delegates underlined the continuing importance of
fundamental research as a necessary foundation for the application of science in development. Several speakers
emphasized the importance of reinforcing university science and engineering education and training, with priority
to be given to women and youth. Others requested UNESCO’s assistance to make available low-cost teaching
materials, equipment and books. Many delegates mentioned the importance of university-industry cooperation. In
the contemporary context of increasing globalization and changing work organization, delegates emphasized the
crucial role of innovation and commercialization of research and development. Some delegates expressed their
appreciation of the UNISPAR Programme’s toolkits, with particular reference to the UNISPAR Africa
programme.
41.7 In the fields of physical sciences and mathematics, many delegates expressed support for the World
Mathematical Year 2000 initiative of the International Mathematical Union. Several delegates requested support
for the African Network of Applied Mathematics for Development. Some delegates supported the establishment
in Poland of the International Centre for Dense Magnetized Plasma while others drew attention to the excellent
work of the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics and the importance of UNESCO’s
cooperation with the International Centre for Chemical Studies.
41.8 With regard to the life sciences, several delegates expressed support for the biological sciences and
biotechnology, and especially for efforts being made to upgrade training skills and to disseminate new
knowledge. Other delegates expressed appreciation for the strengthening of specialized networks in
biotechnology through cooperation with established local centres of excellence. Several delegates spoke in
favour of a Regional Centre of Biotechnology for South-East Asia and for the Asia-Pacific International
Molecular Biology Network. UNESCO’s assistance was requested for combating AIDS in southern Africa, and
for intellectual inputs into the World Conference on AIDS. UNESCO’s assistance was also sought for the
renewal of biological equipment and the provision of free scientific reference texts in the biosciences and
biotechnologies.
41.9 Substantial support was given to the World Solar Programme 1996-2005. Many delegates urged
UNESCO to mobilize adequate human and financial resources for its successful implementation. Delegates also
noted that this major developmental initiative created by UNESCO is a priority programme of the United Nations
system, and they requested UNESCO to consult with relevant United Nations agencies to mobilize cooperation.
Delegates expressed the view that UNESCO, through the Global Renewable Energy Education and Training
(GREET) programme, should be the World Solar Programme’s lead agency for capacity-building. Finally, some
delegates called for an evaluation of the World Solar Programme.
41.10 With respect to Subprogramme II.1.2, Advancement, transfer and sharing of knowledge in the social and
human sciences, the Commission recalled that the subprogramme reflects the two preoccupations of enhancing
research capacities and encouraging the flow of documentation and information. Several delegations requested
that priority should be given to the development of the UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN programme, and to
issues related to science and education policies for formal and non-formal education. Interactive research
approaches and training modules should be developed for women and young scientists, particularly through the
715
25