The United Nations Secretary General’ Scientific Advisory Board met ahead of the Summit of the Future to discuss trust in science.
Attended by ISC CEO Salvatore Aricò, the meeting took place in New York, US,to formulate an official statement on trust in science.
The SAB discussed that science and technology are two of humanity’s most remarkable achievements, shaping the world in profound ways—from reducing global poverty to extending human lifespans, improving quality of life, and deepening our understanding of the universe. It acknowledge that with some of greatest challenges facing humanity, scientific progress can hold the key to building healthier, more equitable, and safer societies. However, the SAB also acknowledge that for this potential to be fully realized, it is crucial that citizens are engaged and informed about the latest research and developments in science and technology.
One of the major barriers in this effort is the growing mistrust in science and its institutions, exacerbated by perceptions that scientists may be out of touch with the public or driven by political motives.
One of the solutions was for The United Nations, through its International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024-2033) to address this issue by fostering trust in science on a global scale. The SAB suggested that by working with a diverse network of multidisciplinary experts, the UN could play a pivotal role by promoting science education, encouraging dialogue between scientists, policymakers, and the public, and advancing open access to information, helping to restore public confidence in science. By ensuring that the benefits of scientific advancements are shared equitably, and through the acceleration of support for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in addressing inequalities between the global North and South, the UN can help build a more inclusive and sustainable future, where science serves as a unifying force for progress and the well-being of all.
It was an honour to represent the International Science Council at the UN Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board retreat, where I had the opportunity to share ideas and solutions with fellow members of the board, chief scientists of UN organizations, partner knowledge networks, and colleagues. As we prepare for the Summit of the Future and enter the Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development, trust in science remains a critical touchpoint for researchers, publishers, policymakers, and communities alike. We must uphold the principles of critical thinking and the scientific method, ensure transparency and access to knowledge, combat mis- and disinformation during a time of significant disruption to online information, and facilitate open dialogues at all levels of policymaking to ensure an equitable and sustainable future for everyone.
Salvatore Aricò, CEO, International Science Council
The SAB and its extended organizations including the ISC, met in New York to discuss Trust in Science.
Statement of the Scientific Advisory Board on Trust in Science
September 17, 2024
Science and technology are among the greatest achievements of humanity: helping to reduce poverty worldwide, extending human lifespans, improving our quality of life, and understanding our place in the cosmos. Scientific progress can help us solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges. To deliver on this promise and build healthy, more equitable, and safe societies, citizens must be engaged and informed about research and new developments in science and technology.
A central challenge in such communication is the growing mistrust in science, its practitioners, and its institutions. In recent years, that mistrust has been fueled by a widespread perception that scientists and their institutions within the “elite establishment” may be out of touch and at times used for political purposes rather than for the public good. This lack of public trust has been further deepened by the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and the erosion of evidence-based thinking. In some fields, mistrust even exists among scientists themselves, who may work for competing companies, raising concerns that research could be biased by conflicts of interest or financial pressures.
We believe that the United Nations, under the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024-2033) and working with diverse and multidisciplinary scientific experts from across the globe, can play a role in restoring trust in several ways: providing UN leadership with assessments and horizon scans of developments in science and technology; helping to establish a layered network of trusted thought-leaders, including respected members of local communities; promoting science education and the importance of evidence-based thinking; facilitating dialogue among scientists, policymakers, and the public; offering open access to new information; encouraging scientists and their institutions to be responsive to social needs by advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals; combatting the deep inequalities between the global North and South; and nourishing a “science culture” where all citizens feel they have the right to participate, and where the benefits of science are available to all.
To take these aspirations forward, we encourage the UN and its network of affiliated institutions to: (1) create and support local forums for community leaders, businesses, laypeople, and scientists, where they can understand the nature of critical thinking in science, new developments, and participate in scientific research; (2) support “public repositories” of scientific research that are easily accessible, transparent, and understandable in plain language; (3) promote science literacy programs in schools and workplaces, emphasizing critical thinking, the scientific method, and the importance of evidence-based decision-making; (4) support, promote, and respond to annual surveys that assess public trust in science and identify mechanisms to combat misinformation and disinformation, especially on social media; (5) establish international scientific panels on AI and other potentially disruptive technologies for regular, reliable, and unbiased scientific assessments that inform policies and governance; and (6) support and facilitate communication and contacts between scientists worldwide.
Our Board is committed to elevating the role of science and technology within and beyond the UN, helping to build greater trust, upholding the human right to benefit from the safe, equitable development of science, and harnessing its enormous potential to meet the most pressing challenges facing us today and tomorrow.
In August 2023, Secretary-General António Guterres appointed a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to provide independent, rigorous, and actionable advice on critical issues at the intersection of science, technology, and society, fulfilling a commitment from the “Our Common Agenda” report. The SAB’s primary role is to advise the Secretary-General and senior UN leaders on cutting-edge scientific developments, anticipate emerging challenges, and offer recommendations on managing risks and harnessing opportunities.
The Board consists of seven distinguished scientists specializing in artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, and biology. It is supported by the UN’s Chief Scientists, the UN Technology Envoy, the Rector of UN University, and a network of 11 scientific organizations. one of which is the ISC, that extend its geographic and topical reach. By fostering greater trust in science, the SAB aims to increase the United Nations’ reliance on scientific evidence in decision-making and elevate the role of science across multilateral platforms.
Image by Bernd Dittrich on Unsplash
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