The concept of a ‘right to science’ has risen to prominence in the global scientific community. In unpacking the ‘right’ and advocating for it, it is important to understand its origins and the approach taken by the ISC in explaining it., it is important to understand its origins and the approach taken by the ISC to its explanation.
International Rights Conventions make important statements about civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights. None of them expressly declares a ‘right to science’. Where then does this right come from? The answer is that it flows from provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides:
Article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights provides:
(a) To take part in cultural life;
(b) To enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications;
(c) To benefit from the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
Advocacy of the right to science is a relatively recent phenomenon. UNESCO distributed a General Comment on it on 30 April 2020, which referred to Article 15 of the Universal Declaration as creating a right to participate in and enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its application. Associated entitlements include the right to participate in scientific progress and to enjoy the freedom necessary for scientific research. It imports a right to enjoy, without discrimination, the benefits of scientific progress.
As formulated by the Committee for Freedom and Responsibility in Science, ‘the right to science’ is effectively expressed as a right to participate in and benefit from science. Participation assumes a right to basic scientific literacy and scientific education. It extends to a right to challenge established knowledge, to collaborate and engage in scientific dialogue, to communicate findings, and to advocate for the responsible use of science.
The right to enjoy the benefits of science is directed to its universality and inclusiveness as a global public good. It protects equitable access and the right to apply scientific knowledge for the good of humanity and the planet. It is inconsistent with discriminatory exclusion.
The ISC’s mission is to advocate for science as an inclusive global public good. Its formulation of a right to participate in and benefit from science, serves its advocacy in support of that mission. That advocacy is a work in progress which will include pressing for the right against legal, institutional and cultural impediments to its full enjoyment. It will also encompass scrutiny of historical and cultural constraints on the idea of what constitutes science. Such constraints can themselves fetter the right to participate in science and to enjoy its benefits.
Robert French is a Member of the ISC Standing Committee for Freedom and Responsibility in Science (2022-2025).
The International Science Council (ISC) has released its interpretation of the “right to participate in and benefit from science,” providing a clear framework for understanding this fundamental right.
The interpretation outlines the key obligations and responsibilities required to ensure universal access to science and scientific knowledge, while emphasizing the protection of scientific freedoms and the promotion of education. Aligned with the ISC’s Principles of Freedom and Responsibility in Science, it reinforces the vision of science as a Global Public Good.
The Right to Science
The International Science Council believes that there is a universal human right to participate in and enjoy the benefits of science, and that it is a responsibility of governments to create and sustain the opportunities of citizens to use this right.
The Right to ScienceDisclaimer
The information, opinions and recommendations presented in our guest blogs are those of the individual contributors, and do not necessarily reflect the values and beliefs of the International Science Council
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