Joint G8+ Science Academies’ Statement on Education for a Science-Based Global Development. (June 16, 2011)

Just four weeks ago 13 national science academies used the opportunity of the May 2011 G8 meeting to publish a 2-page statement: Joint G8+ science academies’ statement on Education for a Science-Based Global Development.

They introduce their rationale with, "Education in science must be targeted not only to future scientists, engineers and other specialists but also to the general population," and conclude with the following five recommendations:

• Establish the conditions for a true globalization of knowledge in science and technology. Encourage and help governments of developing countries, to give high priority to acquiring and maintaining the necessary infrastructure and human resources for science education, and to facilitate the return of those trained abroad.

• Support international collaboration to set up quality e-learning facilities, accessible to all, including students worldwide, and promote open access to scientific literature and databases.

• Share the growing knowledge derived from brain research, cognitive sciences and human behavioural research to improve learning programs for children, students and the general public.

• Create a network of virtual collaborative research centres at the front line of innovations in education, such as e-learning, inquiry-based and evidence-based education.

• Support and expand existing successful programs which facilitate the two-way interactions between scientists, on the one hand and the general public, media, and decision makers, on the other.

Australian Academy of Science president, Professor Suzanne Cory told The Australian's Jill Rowbotham that while the AAS is not a member of the G8+ national science academies: "I would like our government to continue working internationally to make sure that science is seen as a human right." Professor Cory continued: "We have a long-standing commitment to science education not just at university level but at school and community level," noting the Academy's Primary Connections program, and concluded, "For every scientist I know there has always been one science teacher who inspired them."

The Signatories to the statement: