ORAL REPORT OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF COMMISSION III

Transcription

1 Conférence générale 30e session Document d information inf Paris 1999 General Conference 30th Session Information document Conferencia General 30 a reunión Documento de información 30 C/INF November 1999 Original: English Commission III ORAL REPORT OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF COMMISSION III Commission III covers UNESCO s activities in the exact and natural sciences, and also the human and social sciences. Their coming together, under one major programme of UNESCO, reflects the recognition in the last decade that there is an increasing need for a real interdisciplinarity in the sciences to enable a cross-fertilization of ideas, in order for societies to meet the challenges of environment and social development. In this connection, the Joint Statement of the Chairpersons of the five intergovernmental scientific programmes welcomed the deepened interdisciplinary approach gained from cooperation with each other, and looked forward to concrete inter-programme planning and action. At the same time, the sciences need to maintain their own identities and strengths. Combining these two dimensions within one debate on science takes time, and it was voiced that there was inadequate time for in-depth discussions on the social and human sciences, and that in the future consideration should be given to holding a separate debate exclusively on this UNESCO programme. Notwithstanding, the whole of Major Programme II was considered by the Commission in the light of the follow-up to the World Conference on Science (WCS), which was successfully held in Budapest (Hungary) in June this year. The fact that this Conference had been organized to address the natural and the social sciences on an equal footing was highlighted by the Commission as a significant achievement, also marked by the publication of the first World Social Sciences Report. The Commission commended the host country, Hungary, UNESCO and ICSU on the Budapest Conference and the way in which it has provided a new impetus for sciences for the twenty-first century. The new commitment to science is now embodied in the two documents approved by the World Conference on Science: the Declaration on Science and the Use of Scientific Knowledge; and the Science Agenda - Framework for Action. These documents have been recommended by the Commission for endorsement by the General Conference, as was done by the ICSU General Assembly. Some delegates requested simplified versions of these documents that would be more accessible to decision-makers and the public at large. Many delegates urged that immediate action be taken to implement the recommendations of the Conference and emphasized in this regard the vital role of Member States, their

2 30 C/INF.53 - page 2 intergovernmental scientific communities and international organizations, including UNESCO s five scientific programmes and the interdisciplinary programmes of ICSU. They also requested UNESCO to report to Member States and participating partners on progress in the follow-up to the WCS. A number of priority areas for the follow-up to the WCS were highlighted by delegates. Many stressed that the Declaration and the Framework attached high priority to the promotion of science education and the strengthening of national capacities. They voiced support for key follow-up action in these domains. An expanding role for young scientists was also emphasized, and the need for education in science ethics was often evoked. Numerous delegates also stressed the urgency to address gender imbalance in science including the social sciences, calling for the strengthening of the role of women in science and technology, and for science education for young women and girls. This topic should be a fundamental item for intersectoral follow-up to the Science Agenda-Framework for Action. Grave concerns were raised about the brain drain that continues to erode the limited human resources in science and technology of many developing countries. To this end, many speakers welcomed the concrete proposals contained in the agenda on narrowing the knowledge gap between industrialized and developing countries, and UNESCO s intergovernmental scientific undertakings and ICSU s international programmes were called upon to make their scientific data accessible, through the Internet, to relevant institutions in all regions. Many delegates emphasized the need to revitalize traditional and local knowledge systems which enrich scientific knowledge. Notwithstanding, several other delegates acknowledged the importance of investigating more thoroughly the relation between science and traditional knowledge, as decided by ICSU at its twenty-sixth General Assembly. A number of delegates, particularly African Member States and countries in transition, requested UNESCO s assistance, so as to enable them to review their present science policies and to design new strategies and plans for harnessing science to meet their specific development needs. Delegates regretted that more time had not been provided in the Commission for this far-ranging and highly relevant debate concerning the World Conference on Science. The majority of delegates strongly requested that all programmes under Major Programme II should receive the full amount of the budget under scenario A of document 30 C/5 and as voted by the General Conference. Turning to the basic and engineering sciences, many delegates underlined the continuing importance of fundamental research in the basic sciences as a necessary foundation for the application of science in development. Several speakers emphasized the importance of reinforcing university science and engineering education and training, with a priority on women and youth. Some delegates advocated the increased use of modern computer and telecommunication techniques to improve science teaching and encourage distance learning activities. Others requested UNESCO assistance to make available low-cost teaching materials, equipment and books for which there is a lack in many developing countries. Many delegates mentioned the importance of university-industry cooperation in science, engineering and technology. In the contemporary context of increasing globalization and changing work organization, delegates emphasized the crucial role of innovation and commercialization of R&D, particularly for industrially and economically developing countries. Some delegates expressed their appreciation for the UNISPAR Programme s toolkits on globalization, management of maintenance and gender indicators for engineering,

3 30 C/INF.53 - page 3 science and technology, with particular reference to the UNISPAR Africa Programme including its small grants scheme. In the fields of physical sciences and mathematics, many delegates expressed support for the World Mathematical Year 2000 initiative of the International Mathematical Union. Several delegates requested support for the African Network of Applied Mathematics for Development. Some delegates supported the establishment in Poland of the International Centre for Dense Magnetized Plasma while others drew attention to the excellent work of the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics and the importance of UNESCO s cooperation with the International Centre for Chemical Studies. As concerns the life sciences, several delegates expressed support for the biological sciences and biotechnology, and especially for efforts being made to upgrade training skills and to disseminate new knowledge being generated by contemporary research in the life sciences. Other delegates expressed appreciation and strengthening of specialized networks in biotechnology through cooperation with established local centres of excellence, like the Molecular and Cellular Biology Network of UNESCO. Several delegates spoke in favour of the establishment of a Regional Centre of Biotechnology for Southeast Asia, the development of cooperation between the Lao People s Democratic Republic and Thailand, and for the Asian-Pacific International Molecular Biology Network. UNESCO s assistance was requested for combating AIDS in southern Africa, and for intellectual inputs into the World Conference on AIDS scheduled for July UNESCO assistance was also sought for the renewal, in developing countries, of biological equipment and the provision of free scientific reference texts in the biosciences and biotechnologies to sustain national efforts in bioscience education. World Solar Programme Substantial support was given to the World Solar Programme , with particularly strong interest expressed by small island states and countries with dispersed populations. Many delegates welcomed the continued development and implementation of the Programme and urged UNESCO to mobilize adequate human and financial resources for its successful implementation. Delegates also noted that this major developmental initiative created by UNESCO is a priority programme of the United Nations system, and they requested UNESCO to consult with relevant United Nations Agencies to mobilize cooperation. Delegates expressed the view that UNESCO, through the Global Renewable Energy Education and Training (GREET) Programme, should be the World Solar Programme s lead agency for capacity-building. Several speakers felt that UNESCO should continue to generate awareness of the GREET Programme in Member States, as well as in both public and private institutions at international, regional and national levels. Finally, some delegates called for an evaluation of the World Solar Programme. II.I.2 Advancement, transfer and sharing of knowledge in the social and human sciences The Commission recalled that on Advancement, transfer and sharing of knowledge in the social and human sciences the subprogramme reflects the two preoccupations: enhancing research capacities, and encouraging the flow of documentation and information. As to the improvement of university teaching, research capacities and international cooperation, several delegations requested that priority be given to the development of

4 30 C/INF.53 - page 4 UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN programmes, also on issues related to science and education policies. The long-term institutional and scientific sustainability of the Chairs should be a key factor in their conception and monitoring. Interactive research approaches and training modules should be developed for women and young scientists, particularly through the UNESCO prizes for Architects, the training workshop for urban planners and City Professionals, and the MOST Ph.D. award. The UNESCO prizes and awards should focus on the need for the exchange of data, the role of women and youth, as well as the development of intersectoral joint activities with the Education and the Science Sectors. On the point of collection and dissemination of information, the International Social Science Journal was particularly appreciated in terms of its dissemination worldwide in six languages as well as the MOST Clearing House on best practices for poverty alleviation, social exclusion and indigenous and local knowledge and the virtual library of the social and human sciences documentation centre. Many developing countries emphasized the need to increase their participation in international cooperation for social sciences and the need to create new information sharing networks in Asia, Africa and the Arab States. In particular, Cameroon pointed out the need to establish regional financial support and consultation among African countries. Integrated curricula and transdisciplinary approaches between natural and social sciences in knowledge production was also given special mention. The Byblos Centre was highlighted as an example of a means to service regional needs for information sharing on the social and human sciences. The idea of a Nobel Prize for the social sciences was also raised, which was already being explored by ISSC, and as well as to launch a reflection with ISSC for working on the idea of a Nobel Prize for social scientists. Programme II.2, Sciences, environment and socio-economic development includes in particular UNESCO s five intergovernmental scientific programmes. Speakers voiced strong support for the Joint Statement by the Chairpersons of IGCP, IHP, IOC, MAB and MOST and its call for integrated approaches to addressing environmental problems and sustainable development, as this is indispensable for ensuring the relevance of science for the policy-making process. This Joint Statement was presented to the Commission on 8 November 1999 by the President of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and will appear in the Annex to Commission III s report. Many speakers highlighted the continued need for UNESCO s scientific activities in the area of environment and sustainable development to contribute to the implementation of Agenda 21, the Rio and other environment conventions, as well as to other global and regional action plans. Delegates also identified a particular need to step up education, training and capacity-building activities; in particular in developing countries, within the scientific programmes individually and collectively. Many delegates encouraged the scientific programmes to strengthen further their regional and subregional networks as well as northsouth and south-south sharing of knowledge and networking. Several delegates called for regular external evaluation for the Science Sector based programmes referring to the good example of the MOST evaluation undertaken during the current biennium. Close cooperation between UNESCO and ICSU and its family of scientific unions and interdisciplinary environmental programmes and committees, was welcomed by a number of speakers.

5 30 C/INF.53 - page 5 The Commission then turned to Subprogramme II.2.1, Earth sciences, earth system management and natural disaster reduction. A great many speakers voiced their support for the International Geological Correlation Programme (IGCP) jointly undertaken by UNESCO and the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). Several delegates referred to the Geopark initiative either in a supportive or critical manner. Others referred to the decision of the Executive Board that the proposal to launch a UNESCO Geoparks Programme will be examined by the Board on the basis of the results of a feasibility study involving IGCP, MAB and the World Heritage Centre, to be presented at either the 159th or 160th session of the Executive Board. Many speakers referred to the increasing vulnerability to natural hazards and voiced strong support for an increased involvement on the part of UNESCO in natural disaster prediction and reduction. Delegates from all UNESCO regions expressed keen support for interdisciplinary activities dealing with Reducing vulnerability to natural disasters and Enhancing disaster preparedness of communities at risk. They requested UNESCO to take an active part in the follow-up to the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction. The Commission then turned to Subprogramme II.2.2, Ecological sciences and the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme. Numerous delegates expressed support for the proposed activities in this subprogramme, including efforts for implementing the Seville Strategy for Biosphere Reserves and for strengthening biosphere reserves as tools for reconciling conservation and development. Several delegates requested reinforced support for the MAB programme. Many speakers endorsed recent and planned actions contributing to the Seville Strategy, including: the periodic review and evaluation of reserves established more than ten years ago; setting up new biosphere reserves in particular biogeographical regions; developing transfrontier biosphere reserves; integrated monitoring and research including activities within the Biosphere Reserve Integrated Monitoring programme (BRIM); and strengthening cooperation with DIVERSITAS and the Global Taxonomy Initiative of the Convention of Biological Diversity. Some delegates announced new projects on capacity-building such as the creation of international centres for research on sustainable development and on biodiversity, respectively in France with the assistance of the UNESCO Venice Office and in Australia, or welcomed progress in ongoing activities such as the Postgraduate Regional School on Integrated Forestry Management (ERAIFT) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Many delegates expressed support for UNESCO activities on traditional and local knowledge for resource use and management. They called on MAB, MOST, CSI and other appropriate programmes of UNESCO to join forces in developing interdisciplinary activities on traditional ecological knowledge. Under Subprogramme II.2.3, Hydrology and water resources development in a vulnerable environment, strong support was expressed for the International Hydrological Programme (IHP). In stressing that freshwater is to be one of the main issues of the twentyfirst century, several delegates proposed budgetary reinforcement for the Programme. The regional specificity of freshwater problems was also highlighted. A number of delegates

6 30 C/INF.53 - page 6 welcomed IHP s holistic point of view on water issues that takes into account natural and social sciences, education and the ethical dimension. Consensus was also expressed for IHP to continue to promote the free flow of scientific hydrometeorological information. Several delegates called for enhancing activities with regard to water and natural disasters. Others announced the intention to create new Water Resources Centres. Support was also expressed for IHP s involvement in joint activities such as the World Water Vision Project, of which UNESCO hosts the Management Unit. The Commission then turned to the Environment and Development in Coastal Regions and Small Islands (CSI) initiative. A large number of delegations expressed their continued strong interest and support for CSI s approach, which they acknowledged as truly integrated and intersectoral. The combination of pilot projects with UNESCO Chairs was judged most appropriate, as it involved a wide variety of stakeholders in the generation of wise coastal practices for sustainable human development. To optimize intersectorality in the environment and sustainable development domain, many speakers, especially from Small Island Developing States, supported the further development of CSI in view of its contribution to the processes initiated through the Focus on the Caribbean, the Pacific, and the Indian Ocean islands events. A specific appeal was made to fill the Science Adviser post in the Apia Office. The interdivisional and intersectoral follow-up planned for the Pan-African Conference on Sustainable Integrated Coastal Management held in Maputo, Mozambique in July 1998, was commented upon favourably by many delegates from Africa, as well as Finland. The Commission then discussed the activities of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). Wide support was expressed for IOC s programmes and activities, and IOC was commended for its important work. The Commission amply debated the revision of IOC s Statutes, the work of IOC regional subsidiary bodies, and the need to strengthen the staff of two secretariats outside Headquarters, those of IOCARIBE and WESTPAC. Many delegates considered that the incompressible budget of IOC should be augmented in the future, in response to increasing responsibilities imposed by international instruments concerning the oceans. Other delegates supported specific IOC activities such as the implementation of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and the Floating University Programme. After an extended debate, the Commission recommended that the General Conference approve the modified Statutes of IOC, with the wording proposed by the IOC Assembly at its twentieth session in resolution XX-I. The Commission included in its report the reservation expressed by Turkey on these Statutes, and also noted concerns raised about the lack of African specialists on the IOC Council and the need for IOC to remain clearly within UNESCO. With your permission, ladies and gentlemen, I will now report on highlights of the debate covering Programme II.2.5: Social transformations and development. This subprogramme, of which the key elements were raised in the introduction by the Assistant Director-General for the Social and Human Sciences, comprises the Intergovernmental Social Science Programme MOST, a special project on Cities and the environment, and a section on poverty alleviation in urban settings. An array of contemporary issues is addressed by the MOST programme, notably the management of multicultural and

7 30 C/INF.53 - page 7 multiethnic societies, international and rural-urban migrations, strategies of populations living in remote areas for coping with technological and economic changes spurred by globalization, and urban management. The ample and positive debate on this programme confirmed the importance of these themes for Member States in all world regions. The Commission hailed the mid-term evaluation of the MOST programme as an important and positive step which should be the norm rather than the exception in UNESCO s work, as the Organization moves towards more results-based programming and budgeting. Delegates appreciated the Secretariat s response to the key recommendation in the mid-term evaluation report, on the need to prepare a strategic plan of action that should assist in redressing and revitalizing the Programme s activities to ensure they meet its key objectives. In this respect delegates supported the conclusion by the external evaluation team that the Programme in the coming two biennia should focus on promoting understanding of how research results could better nourish the decision-making process. This should be done by developing creative mechanisms that further unify the scientific and policy-making circles, while respecting the underlying need for academic autonomy. To assist the MOST programme in continuing to make headway on this issue, the Netherlands announced its intention to host, in co-operation with Norway, an International Conference on Social Science Research and Governance from 21 to 22 March The Netherlands has extended to all delegates an invitation for their countries to participate in this important event. Delegates expressed their appreciation of the interdisciplinary nature of the MOST programme, both between the social and natural sciences and within the social science disciplines, since this reflects the reality of many of today s contemporary social development problems. The many interventions calling for strengthening the autonomy and increasing the budget of the social science programme, also stressed the need to continue working in an interdisciplinary nature. The Commission gave its backing for a policy that would associate UNESCO s overhauled statistical programme and its future-oriented programmes, with the Social and Human Sciences programme. This will require careful and attentive planning for document 31 C/5, as outlined in the intervention by the President of the MOST Intergovernmental Council, Mr Kenneth Wiltshire, whose comments were widely supported. Many speakers voiced their approval of the Executive Board decision, and the similar recommendation in the mid-term evaluation report, that the MOST programme act as the Organization s umbrella for research on poverty alleviation. The MOST projects on Growing up in Cities, the Asia-Pacific Migration Research Network, the Circumpolar Project on Coping with Globalization, and the revitalization of historic city centres, implemented with cooperation from the Coastal and Small Islands programme received particular mention. The Member States of the Pacific region expressed its support for MOST activities and noted the establishment of a new MOST national liaison committee in Papua New Guinea; National Liaison Committees also received mention by Israel and Cape Verde as important local tendrils of the MOST programme. The MOST Clearing House received mention as useful means for communicating the Programme s output. In referring to the special project on Cities: Management of social transformations and the environment the delegate from Senegal expressed his hope that the pilot project in

8 30 C/INF.53 - page 8 Yeumbeul would yield specific best practice that could be of use to peri-urban povertystricken areas in other countries. With respect to this project, it was noted that it was winding down in this biennium, and that it should produce material that would effectively demonstrate its utility and impact. A strong reference to the main line of action Poverty alleviation was made by the Islamic Republic of Iran to highlight the increasing feminization of poverty and the necessity to support women in attaining autonomy, and consequently to include gender considerations in the MOST programme as a whole. The Libreville Colloquium on social sciences in Africa, organized in June of this year on the initiative of France and which sought to identify ways to strengthen social science research and teaching for African scholars received particular mention. It was suggested that a sister colloquium would be very useful for the Arab States. In summary, distinguished delegates, it is fair to report that there is strong support for the social and human science programme as it moves to tackle contemporary social problems in the coming biennium. UNESCO s work in the social sciences should be inspired by its accomplishments from its earlier decades, when it undertook innovative intellectual work that inspired interdisciplinary programme work between the Organization s sectors, and helped shape theory, methodology and policy agendas of partner institutions worldwide. The Commission then took up Programme II.3: Philosophy, ethics and human sciences including item 7.1 of the agenda about the Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights. Philosophy, ethics and the human sciences were also integrated into the work of the World Conference on Science, notably through a study on Holism, reductionism and the sciences of complexity: Implication for public policy which was presented as a background document. The Commission warmly welcomed the reintegration of the philosophy programme into the Social and Human Sciences Sector, and expressed pleasure at the renewed emphasis given to human sciences, such as history and linguistics. It also expressed its expectation that philosophy will be able to play the catalysing role in enabling the disciplines of philosophy, human and social sciences and natural sciences to work together in a transdisciplinary manner. The ethical mandate of the Organization itself was recalled by virtually every speaker during this debate of the Commission. Many delegates, in particular Australia, noted that UNESCO should give greater emphasis to monitoring the changes in ethical values in this age of globalization through, education. Thailand noted the importance of emphasizing human duties and responsibilities, together with human rights. Several delegations expressed support to the Universal Ethics project. The diversity of cultures should be the key consideration in the further elaboration of the project. The importance of cooperation not only with NGOs, but also with universities and research institutes was highlighted. Several delegates expressed particular pleasure in seeing philosophy applied in the practical concerns of everyday life, and stressed that it be made more accessible. The importance of research and teaching in philosophy was supported, in particular by the network of UNESCO Chairs in Philosophy. Thailand spoke in particular of

9 30 C/INF.53 - page 9 the meeting it was organizing in support for the exemplary activities of the APPEND Network. Ladies and Gentlemen, With respect to item Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights. General support was expressed for the importance of pursuing the recommendations in the Universal Declaration on the Human Genome, and notably the action of the International Committee on Bioethics. A majority of delegates made mention of the actions of ICB and COMEST, the World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology, as pertinent responses to pressing problems generated by the rapid advancement of science and science applications, as well as to UNESCO s role in promoting an ethical reflection at the private and public level. Delegates expressed their wish to see the ethics, science and technology programme branch out into innovative ways of raising awareness and increasing commitment to the concerns brought about by world challenges to bioethics, and to addressing other key areas such as the ethical implications of animal and vegetal biotechnologies. Many speakers expressed concern over the number and timing of the meetings of the International Committee on Bioethics (ICB) and the Intergovernmental Group of Experts. In particular, pleas were made to ensure that in the future, the meetings of these two bodies should be separated from each other by a least six months. Despite its potential, delegates felt that it was not yet opportune to prepare a World Report on Bioethics, nor to hold a third World Summit of National Bioethics Committees. While stressing the importance of initiatives in this field, delegates cautioned against needless overlap. In referring to COMEST, Member States voiced their support for the expansion of its range of interests, especially to the ethics of communication. Several speakers underlined the importance for decision-makers to consult with an expert body on ethical principles before any decision is taken that may modify the human environment. They also pointed out the importance for COMEST to work in cooperation with existing specialized scientific networks to avoid duplication. In relation to this, delegates expressed the wish for a set of ethical principles to be developed that should refer to the respect of human rights and fundamental freedom, taking into account the cultural diversity of societies. Finally the Commission adopted the guidelines in document 30 C/26 Add. on the implementation of the Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights: Report by the Director-General. 4.1 UNESCO in the twenty-first century Finally, our Commission discussed the issues facing UNESCO in the twentyfirst century from the points of view of the natural and exact sciences and the social and human sciences. This topic was introduced by Mr Agyaiev, Chairperson of the Executive Board Working Group with reference to documents 30 C/49 and 30 C/INF.12. Delegates warmly welcomed this opportunity to give voice to their views of UNESCO s main challenges for the future, but regretted the severe time constraints to which this debate was subjected. Many recognized that UNESCO must sharpen its vision in order to continue to provide guidance in a rapidly-changing and increasingly-fragmented world. Mention was made of UNESCO s unique role as a laboratory of ideas to seek solutions to the world s complex and pressing problems within the Organizations s mandate. Referring to the process

10 30 C/INF.53 - page 10 of United Nations reform, many delegates stressed the need to enhance the visibility of UNESCO s action, by optimizing its unique comparative advantage within the United Nations system, as a multifaceted entity. In this respect, several delegates called for the continuation of UNESCO s sectoral structure, but with strong and flexible intersectoral collaboration as the norm rather than an exception. Delegates indicated different models for achieving this integration and rediscovery of the intellectual community, with specific mention of cooperation among the intergovernmental scientific programmes, and on the platforms provided by the Coasts and Small Islands and Cities initiatives. Costa Rica, in particular, pointed out that the latter approach could be usefully extended to a new intersectoral and inter-agency programme addressing natural and man-made disaster prevention. The need for a more action-oriented approach, delivered in the field, was underlined. Several delegates called for increased transparency and efficiency, through in-built corrective mechanisms such as ongoing evaluation and results-based budgeting. The Commission considered that the follow-up to the World Conference on Science should shape the process of developing a prospective vision for UNESCO in the twentyfirst century. It identified a number of themes that should be addressed as follows: the fight against poverty, in all its forms, in developing countries as well as in industrialized ones, with a particular emphasis on reducing the gap between South and North in a context of globalization; science education, especially with a view to increasing the capacity for basic research in response to the needs of individual countries, with specific attention to the training of women and girls; a gender perspective should be integrated in all scientific programmes to support the integration of women in the various fields of science and technology, as well as in participatory processes for social transformations management; the need for a future generations approach, with a FOCUS on children s perspectives, as they are the most vulnerable victims of war and poverty. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child emphasizes children s rights to participation and the MOST programme should integrate this approach; environment and sustainable development, with particular mention of natural disaster prevention, climate change and the need to integrate ecological and economic perspectives. Sustainable socio-economic development was envisioned as a shared goal for the five intergovernmental scientific programmes, with a particular emphasis on regional initiatives; promotion of cultural diversity by supporting local responses to globalization, and promoting dialogue between societies to prevent multi-ethnic conflict and racism; support for the elaboration of an international ethical framework for the application of scientific results in a manner which will preserve human rights and human integrity, and also alert decision-makers to the risks associated with excessive knowledge privatization and the brain drain; access to and means of communication of scientific information. It is primordial to develop an innovative strategy using informatics in order to bridge the widening gap between countries. This concludes the oral report of the Commission. Thank you, Madam President.