ADDRESS BY HOWARD MOORE, DIRECTOR, UNESCO OFFICE IN VENICE – REGIONAL BUREAU FOR SCIENCE IN EUROPE, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FIRST WORLD CONFERENCE ON THE FUTURE OF SCIENCE, PALAZZO DUCALE, VENICE, 20 SEPTEMBER 2005
Senior representatives of the Italian Government
Mr Presidents of the Umberto Veronesi, Giorgio Cini and Silvio Tronchetti Provera Foundations,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me very great pleasure to represent UNESCO at this, the Opening Ceremony of a most illustrious and significant gathering. I bring the greetings of the Director-General, Mr Koichiro Matsuura, who regrets that the work of the Organization’s Executive Board in Paris prevents him from being here this evening in person.
In these early years of the Twenty-first Century, there is almost universal acceptance that science and technology are major drivers of economic development, and have provided our society with a vastly improved way of life, yet no-one can deny that there has been a steady fall-off in public opinion, which has seemed to be increasingly skeptical and almost fearful of science. Governmental investment in science is often not adequate to build or maintain a healthy, productive research community capable of contributing to national progress. There is no simple, universal solution to the problem as to how a nation can best balance its scientific activities: each must plot its own course towards sustainable national development. There is, however, a need for society and decision-makers to give science their full recognition and commitment.
But what kind of science should we be encouraging in our world of the Third Millennium? It is clear that we need a science that would, first and foremost, meet basic human needs throughout the world, such as primary health care, sanitation, and the provision of food, clean water and energy, and generally improve the quality of life for all. It would allow greater understanding of the major global environmental processes, a more sustainable use of natural resources and the mitigation of natural disasters. It would be more equitable in terms of access to information and knowledge, and provide fairer opportunities for those entering and pursuing scientific careers. And it would provide a balance between the freedom to pursue research without hindrance of a political or economic nature, and the ethical responsibilities that are incumbent upon the individual researcher.
Science certainly needs to play a greater role than hitherto in addressing some of the most pressing challenges such as poverty and the degradation of our environment, underlining the need for increased international cooperation on global and long-term projects. And if the science of the Twenty-first Century is to confront complex problems of a truly global scale it will need to be interdisciplinary in approach, drawing on not just the natural sciences but also the social sciences and the humanities.
Science is increasingly required to have a human and ethical face. Six years ago,UNESCO organized the World Conference on Science in Budapest. That gathering of some 2000 stakeholders in science addressed the relationship between science and society – the ‘social contract’ as it has been called by many – and in doing so highlighted the need for the setting of ethical norms and standards to guide scientific and technological development. Science and scientists can no longer live in their ‘ivory towers’, claiming immunity from the problems and issues that their research can throw up.
The founders of UNESCO were wise in recognizing the importance ofhaving the ‘S’ in UNESCO. Since its foundation in the years immediately following the Second World War, my Organization has continued to recognize the other great attribute of science: that of providing a platform for peaceful coexistence and partnership. Science has always been an international endeavour bringing together great intellects in the pursuit of knowledge. And science, with its universal character, is uniquely positioned to serve as a laboratory in which humankind can work as one to achieve a better future, in accordance with the principles of responsibility, solidarity and respect for theviews and belief systems of individuals.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
This World Conference provides an excellent forum in whichscientists, philosophers and politicians can together reflect on a new role for science in the world of tomorrow. In recognizing its importance, and relevance for UNESCO’s own work and mission, the Director-General was pleased to grant the Organization’s patronage to your event.
You have a fascinating programme ahead of you.It only remains for me to wish you well in your discussions and reflections over the coming days.
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