The ISC Strategic Plan 2025-2028 sets out five priorities that orient its activities over the this period, recognizing that we live in a very fluid and changing context for science.
1: Freedom, responsibility and inclusivity in science
Pursuing the vision of science as a global public good means ensuring that the scientific process is trustworthy, that the practice of science is free, responsible, equitable and inclusive, and that scientists contribute their knowledge in the public space.
2: International science agenda-setting
Global challenges such as biodiversity loss, food security, climate change, inequalities and public health are complex and interconnected and demand cross-disciplinary, cross-border and cross-sectoral responses, including non-academic forms of knowledge, and coordinated science agendas on issues of global concern.
3: The evolution of science systems
The ISC monitors and informs on changes in science practices and science systems, to better influence their evolution. Driving change for the public good will require the participation of the full spectrum of the scientific community as well as multiple other stakeholders.
4: Evidence-based policy-making
While science is recognized as an important part of the solutions to many global issues, the gap between available knowledge and policy action is widening. The scientific community needs to strengthen its collective capabilities in synthesizing and translating scientific information, and in communicating the limitations and implications of science.
5: Science diplomacy
Science diplomacy as a field is evolving and is receiving increasing attention as an important function for science in the current geopolitical situation. The ISC will use its unique position as the world’s largest nongovernmental organization representing the active science community to undertake relevant activities as opportunities arise.
