Freedom & Responsibility Portal
Universality of Science: Freedom and Responsibility
ICSU stands for the Universality of Science, convinced that science is a common human endeavour that transcends national boundaries and is to be shared by all people, and due to the consideration that progress in science is best effected through the global exchange of ideas, data, materials and understanding of the work of others. In upholding the Universality of Science Principle, ICSU focuses its efforts on three overlapping aspects:
- freedom and responsibility in the conduct of science;
- access to scientific data and information;
- strengthen science in developing countries.
This section relates this Principle to the freedom and responsibility in the conduct of science:
- CFRS blog: facility allowing the scientific community to comment on material produced by the ICSU Committee on Freedom and Responsibility in the conduct of Science (CFRS);
- Academic freedom: documents regarding the 'muzzling' of scientists and the protection of whistle-blowers as well as a compilation of constitutional texts protecting academic freedom;
- Science and human rights: CFRS activities to help protecting the rights of scientists that face problems as a result of the conduct and/or practice of science. Human rights documents relevant to science and scientists underpin this engagement;
- Workshops & conferences: CFRS, in co-operation with ICSU Members, organises scientific meetings relevant to its portfolio;
- Advice on international scientific meetings: CFRS recommendations to help avoid difficulties and improve the chances of a positive resolution regarding problems that may occur with international scientific meetings arranged or sponsored by ICSU itself or an ICSU Member;
- US visa information: information on activities by ICSU and the International Visitors Office (IVO) of the US National Academies on US visa controls and regulations that create difficulties for scientists;
- Biosecurity: research that fuels advances in the life sciences also carries potential risks. In the mid-2000s, ICSU examined the issues related to biosecurity as an example implying freedom and responsibility aspects in the conduct of science;
- Articles & letters: contributions to scientific magazines and letters to the ICSU Membership highlighting issues and concerns related to discriminatory practices against scientists and the scientific community.
