Freedom & Responsibility Portal

Universality of Science: Freedom and Responsibility

ICSU stands for the Universality of Science, due to its conviction 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 contains information that relates the Principle of the Universality of Science to the freedom and responsibility in the conduct of science.

CFRS

The Committee on Freedom and Responsibility in the conduct of Science (CFRS) serves as ICSU’s guardian of the Universality of Science Principle insofar as this relates to freedoms and responsibilities in the conduct of science. It meets twice a year.

CFRS workshops and scientific meetings

CFRS, in co-operation with ICSU Members, also organises workshops and scientific meetings relevant to its portfolio on a regular basis.

Science and human rights

CFRS has compiled human rights documents relevant to science and scientists, serving both as a reference tool and placing its work in a wider framework.

US visa information

Since 2002, US visa controls and regulations have created difficulties for many scientists, especially from certain countries or areas of research that are considered ‘high risk' wishing to visit the USA. This section provides information on ICSU and the US National Academies, its International Visitors Office (IVO) in particular, monitoring and addressing this issue.

Biosecurity

Rapidly expanding knowledge in the life sciences bring great benefits to society, but the research that fuels these advances also carries potential risks, in that tools and techniques gained through biotechnology research could be used to create biological weapons. In the mid-2000s, ICSU examined the issues related to biosecurity as a matter of freedom and responsibility in the conduct of science.

Articles and letters

With contributions to scientific magazines and letters to the ICSU community, relevant bodies and representatives highlighted issues and concerns related to discriminatory practices against scientists and the scientific community and confirmed ICSU's position thereon.