Conference Reports
Priorities for Science in the 21st Century for the Asia-Pacific Region
was held in Sydney from 1-5 December 1998 as preparation for the UNESCO/ICSU
World Conference on Science in Budapest on 26 June - 1 July 1999.
The Conference agreed the following points and recommends to the World Conference
on Science that:
- science should be interpreted as SET (Science, Engineering and Technology)
- the new millenium should see the establishment of a new and balanced relationship
between SET, society and environment at all levels from global to local
- UNESCO. ICSU and other bodies concerned with SET should actively promote
science and social sciences and the relationship between them as the basis
for sustainable and equitable living and for building a lasting peace
- SET in a transformed science-society partnership, which ensures a sustainable
and equitable future, will be one where the experiences and knowledge of
women and men from all cultures are equally valued and respected and where
all people participate meaningfully at all stages of the SET process
- scientists have a social responsibility to focus on matters of economic
value to people in alleviating poverty, which is a global and a gender issue
- accessibility to knowledge (including issues of education, gender and
traditional knowledge) should be addressed as a priority by UNESCO, as lead
agency for science within the UN system
- the role of UNESCO as lead science agency within the UN system should
be reaffirmed, within the context of increasing partnerships between nations,
NGOs, industry, and the intergovernmental sector
- in particular there is an urgent need for UNESCO and ICSU to promote SET
to assist with improved management of freshwater and marine resources, including
reducing pollution and effectively managing catchments
- UNESCO and other UN bodies should increase support for SET that will mitigate
disasters including risk assessment and predictive activities particularly
associated with anticipated effects of accelerated climate change
- high priority should be given to enhancing communication of the processes
of science and its outcomes, especially through improved linkages to policy
makers and incresing popular presentations of science so as to enhance understanding
and appreciation of SET by policy makers and civil society
- UNESCO initiate an international programme for enhancing the extent and
professional quality of reporting of SET in the mass media and independent
interpretation of the issues involved, adapting the programme to the situations
and requirements of individuals and groups
- promotion of scientific literacy and awareness should be facilitated through
both formal and informal methods and should encompass modern and traditional
science. UNESCO should facilitate joint activity between its education,
science, culture and communication sectors to achieve this objective
- UNESCO and other bodies should devote resources to ensuring international
equity in training in all aspects of SET including R & D management.
Scientific competence will only come from a sound educational base, accordingly
nations should provide for adequate gender-inclusive training at all levels
- nations and international organisations concerned with SET should develop
frameworks for ethical standards in SET
- NESCO and ICSU should play a lead role in promoting the adoption and use
of an international code of ethics in SET
For further information, contact: Australian National Commission for UNESCO
Secretariat ian.c.anderson@dfat.gov.au.
International Conference on Expanding Frontiers of Science and Technology
organised by the Indian Women Scientists Association (IWSA) was held
in Mumbai, India in October 1998. This was the finale to the Silver Jubilee
year celebrations of IWSA, and two publications: (1) Profile of IWSA Activities
1973-1998, and (2) Career Sketch Directory of Indian Women in Science and
Technology, were released during this conference.
The second paper examined the current status of Indian women in science with
regard to their educational and professional achievements based on a survey
of 270 women representing 79 institutions. The survey found that women have
now entered all areas in the spectrum of science and technology disciplines
in India.
The study also showed that while only some PhDs obtained their doctorates
from foreign universities the majority had some kind of professional training
abroad, mostly in the USA. Though many had opportunities to yield to the brain
drain - a serious problem for India, not all succumbed to the lure.
The pattern of women occupying positions of authority had changed progressively
during the past years, and the trend appears encouraging. Many women with
high qualifications and long experience have reached the top. It could be
inferred from these observations, that given the requisite qualifications
the women in science and technology in India can be achievers and have the
opportunity to reach the highest decision making position after gaining sufficient
continuous expertise in their professions.
Discussions between the authors and members of IWSA as well as women they
met at various scientific fora revealed that although there is no obvious
disparity between the salary earned by men and women occupying the same position
in an institution, in reality the picture is not necessarily as rosy. There
is imbalance in exercise of authority and in decision making, with men willy-nilly
dominating the scene. Thus women’s chances of getting scientific recognition
e.g. recommendation or nomination for awards, expertships etc. continue to
be restricted. However concerted efforts on the parts of women in science
and technology appear to be helping them in making good achievers.
This is an edited version of a report submitted by:
Wijaya Altekar and Shantoo Gurnani
Indian Women Scientists Association
Plot No. 20, Sector 10A, Vashi, Navi Mumbai.- 400 703, India
e-mail: iwsanmva@bom4.vsnl.net.in
For further information please contact the first author.
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