Report from the “World Conference on Science” (WCS), “Science for the Twenty-First Century. A New Commitment”, Budapest, Hungary, 26 June–1 July 1999

International Journal of Food Microbiology 58 (2000) 133–134 www.elsevier.nl / locate / ijfoodmicro

Conference report

Report from the ‘‘World Conference on Science’’ (WCS), ‘‘Science for the Twenty-First Century. A New Commitment’’, Budapest, Hungary, 26 June–1 July 1999

The conference was convened jointly by UNESCO and ICSU (International Council for Science) in collaboration with the Hungarian authorities. It was attended by close to 2000 participants with national delegates from 140–150 countries. besides 10 UN organizations, 14 other Intergovernmental- and 35 Non Governmental Organizations, including IUMS, were present, apart from ‘‘Other Organizations’’ and ‘‘Academies’’. The aim of the WCS was reflected in 3 ‘‘Forums’’: Forum I–Science: Achievements, shortcomings and challenges of science; Forum II– Science and Society on the different aspects of the interface between science and society and Forum III–Towards a New Commitment. Forums I and II were sub sectioned in 25 different themes with separate meetings making it impossible to attend more than a fraction of what was presented. The outcome of Forums I and II was summarised by the respective chairmen of the different themes in plenary sessions in Forum III. The draft ‘‘declaration on science and the use of scientific knowledge’’ was amended according to the input from Forums I and II. A first draft had been prepared long ahead of the conference. IUMS commented on the document in a letter of March 1999 to the secretary of the WCS. To have ones opinions recognised, it is important as early as possible when the document is ‘‘born’’ to give comments, which was done. Two days were allocated to 5 minute speeches and recommendations from heads of national and international delegations. This activity was felt rather lengthy and did not give very much valuable input but so it is in international meetings with political overtones. Many countries highlighted

their own achievements in science and many of the themes were familiar. The NGO’s statements were handled collectively, IUMS thus together with other biological sciences. In an address by the IUMS representative information was given on IUMS and its activities e.g. in promoting Postgraduate Education through its subcommittee the ‘‘International Committee on Food Microbiology and Hygiene’’ (ICFMH) which has developed a ‘‘Core Curriculum’’ on ‘‘Postgraduate teaching in advanced Food Microbiology’’. The final versions of the Declarations on Science and the use of Scientific Knowledge and Science Agenda–Framework for Action contained many textual amendments, but few substantial changes to the draft published before the Budapest meeting. The documents were adopted at the final plenary session. It has no legal force and this was undoubtedly a key reason for the relative absence of tension. Federico Mayor, UNESCO’s director general, said he believed it better for countries to remain friends – even if the price is a framework document, intended to act primarily as a set of guidelines rather than a legally-binding protocol. The documents will be submitted for approval to the general conference of both UNESCO and ICSU later this year, before being presented to the United Nations General Assembly in New York. As widely expected, although disappointing to some, there is to be no global fund for science and development. Similarly, representatives of indigenous peoples organizations failed in their attempts to get traditional knowledge to be classed as being the same as ‘‘scientific knowledge’’. But one concession

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Conference report

was made to their demands: a formal recognition that traditional knowledge has contributed to the development of modern science. Calls for a Hippocratic oath for scientists, promoted among others by Nobel laureate Sir Joseph Rotblat, were similarly rejected. In the revised text we also agreed upon the need for ‘‘disadvantaged groups’’, disabled, ethnic minorities, and indigenous people, to be given more involvement in, and better access to science. It is emphasised in the Declaration that all scientists should commit themselves to high ethical standards, and a code of ethics based on relevant norms enshrined in international human rights instruments should be established for scientific professions. The social responsibility of scientists implies amongst other matters that they share their knowledge, communicate with the public and educate the

younger generation. Science curricula should include science ethics, as well as training in history and philosophy and the cultural context of science. In conformity of this, one delegate expressed that Science and humanity is of particular interest to small countries. Science and humanity is a whole, forming human culture. Niels Skovgaard Jakob Knudsens Vej 18 3460 Birkerød Denmark Further information is available at the Home Page of WCS: http: / /www.unesco.org / science / wcs / in]]]]] dex.htm or the ICSU Home page: http: / / www. icsu.org