Regional offices will help ICSU pursue science for sustainable development

PARIS, France- “Following what was, for many, the disappointing political outcome of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), it is very exciting for this international body of scientists to reach agreement on the need to roll up our sleeves and generate an action plan for science for sustainability,” says Professor Jane Lubchenco, ICSU’s new president. “Our top priority is to take an integrated approach to addressing the economic, environmental and social pillars of sustainable development.”

In order to achieve this, Professor Lubchenco says ICSU must focus future research efforts on the local level and then take on the challenge of linking local research to regional and global issues.

As the lead organizer of the science and technology community for WSSD in Johannesburg, ICSU has already made a strong commitment to the UN regarding science for sustainable development. Because of its broad membership, the Council is well positioned to create multidisciplinary teams that can plan for a new, exciting international effort.

In addition, ICSU has taken a strong stand in support of strengthening links between modern science and traditional knowledge. This commitment will encourage dialogue between the scientific community and local peoples, thereby facilitating the development, application and adaptation of new information and technologies to address local issues in areas such as agriculture, biodiversity and traditional medicine.

ICSU will further underline its commitment to this new initiative—and to ongoing projects associated with environmental change, science education and capacity building, and freedom in the conduct of science—by establishing regional offices in Asia, Africa, Latin American and the Caribbean, and the Arab Region. These offices will support the work of ICSU members and partner organizations by strengthening regional collaboration and ensuring that scientists from the regions are fully involved in the many international science efforts.

“These regional offices will enable ICSU to collect information on priority needs, and to draw on traditional knowledge and scientific expertise to address local problems,” says ICSU President-Elect Professor Goverdhan Mehta, Director of the Indian Institute of Science (Bangalore). “At the same time, they will act as clearing houses that transfer knowledge from the national level back to the global scientific community.”

These exciting outcomes of the 27th General Assembly will allow ICSU to broaden its scope to include science for sustainable development while also refining its focus on specific issues and facilitating the global exchange of knowledge.