Global Science and National Policies: the Role of Academies
Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, 4-5 May 2007

ICSU recently co-organized, in cooperation with the Venice and Moscow Offices of UNESCO, a Conference bringing together the senior representatives of the Academies of Sciences of Eastern and South Eastern Europe with the twin aims of strengthening interactions between the Academies of the region and increasing their involvement in international scientific cooperation. Entitled ‘Global Science and National Policies: the Role of Academies’ and hosted by the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, the event took place in Chisinau, the Moldovan capital, on 4-5 May 2007. The Conference was opened by H.E. Mr Vladimir Voronin, President of the Republic of Moldova.

On the opening day sessions were devoted a number of strategic areas that would benefit from international collaboration: science for sustainable development; natural disaster mitigation; science education; and gender issues in science, and discussions stemmed from presentations made by guest speakers from outside the region, as well as senior figures from the Academies. The second day concentrated on the role – actual or potential – of ESEE Academies in relation to national policymaking and development.

The Conference recognized that, whilst individual Academies may find themselves in quite distinct socio-economic and political contexts, they all are operating in a changing, globalizing world and in the context of socio-political transitions, and that there are distinct advantages to be gained in comparing experiences and expertise, and in working together on common issues.

Those representing the Academies resolved to make fuller use of existing mechanisms, networks and associations to discuss common issues concerning the roles of Academies in the promotion of excellence in science, in providing independent advice to governments and decision-makers, and in managing research activities, as well as administrative, financial and governance issues of the Academies themselves.

The Academies were urged by ICSU and UNESCO to cooperate in planning, and seeking financial support for, regional research projects in the field of the natural sciences or science-society issues. One such area that might benefit from timely action is that of natural disaster mitigation.

A Summary Report of the Conference will be available as of 15 June 2007.