RECOMMENDATION ON SCIENCE
AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHERS

10 KEY AREAS

RELATING TO THE RECOMMENDATION ON SCIENCE AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHERS

Human dignity, progress, justice, peace, welfare of humankind and respect for the environment

Science is part of Member States’ efforts to develop more humane, just and inclusive societies and serves to further the United Nations ideals of peace and welfare of humankind.

Meaningfully interact with society and vice versa

Member States’ governments and the general public alike recognize the value and use of science and technology for tackling global challenges. Society is engaged in science and research through the identification of knowledge needs, the conduct of scientific research, and the use of results.

National policy and decision making, international cooperation and development

Member States should use scientific knowledge in an inclusive and accountable manner to inform national policy and decision making, and to advance international cooperation and development.

Promoting science as a common good

Member States’ governments and the general public alike recognize the value and use of science and technology for tackling global challenges. Society is engaged in science and research through the identification of knowledge needs, the conduct of scientific research, and the use of results.

Inclusive and nondiscriminatory work conditions and access to education and employment

All citizens enjoy equal opportunities for the initial education and training needed for, and equal access to employment in scientific research. Scientific researchers enjoy equitable conditions of work. The participation of women and other under-represented groups should be actively encouraged in order to remediate inequalities.

Any scientific conduct is subject to universal human rights standards

Research should be conducted in a responsible manner that respects the human rights of scientific researchers and human research subjects alike. Open access to research results and the knowledge derived from it promotes the human right to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.

freedoms, rights and responsibilities of researchers

Scientific researchers respect public accountability and carry out their work in a humanely, scientifically, socially and ecologically responsible manner, while at the same time they enjoy the degree of autonomy and intellectual and academic freedom appropriate to their task and indispensable to the advancement of science and technology.

Scientific integrity and ethical codes of conduct

Member States should establish suitable means to address the ethics of science and research integrity, through developing education and training regarding the ethical dimensions of science, establishing and supporting science ethics policies and committees, and stimulating the professional ethics of researchers including their intellectual integrity, sensitivity to conflict of interest and vigilance as to the potential consequences of their research and development activities, including their technical applications.

Importance of human capital for a sound and responsible science system

Human capital is the principal pillar of a sound science system. Member States should develop policies with respect to the training, employment, career prospects, and work conditions of scientific researchers. These policies should address, inter alia, adequate career development prospects; lifelong learning opportunities; the facilitation of mobility and international travel; the protection of health and social security; and inclusive and transparent performance appraisal systems for scientific researchers.

The role of Member States in creating an enabling environment for science and research.

Member States – government and nongovernment stakeholders alike ‐ should create a stimulating environment for a sound science system with adequate human and institutional capacities, by facilitating satisfactory work conditions, moral support, and public recognition of successful performance of scientific researchers; by supporting education in science and technology; by promoting publishing and sharing data and results that meet adequate quality standards; and by monitoring the implementation and impact of such efforts.