The United Nations of science: We really need it

The United Nations of science: why we really need it - New Scientist

AS THE disappointment of the Copenhagen climate summit sinks in, you could be forgiven for despairing of science ever being put at the centre of international policy-making. But scientists are not giving up the fight.

This week, an important meeting is taking place at the Royal Society in London. The outcome will determine how the world's finest scientific minds engage collectively with governments worldwide to make sure they have the benefit of the best possible scientific advice.

The meeting is of a body you may never have heard of: the InterAcademy Panel on International Issues (IAP), a global coalition of national science academies from Albania to Zimbabwe. Its task this week is to agree a way forward for scientific advice to government - how the world of science, speaking as one, can reach out to policy-makers to help solve the critical global challenges we now face.

The IAP was founded in New Delhi, India, in 1993 in response to growing concerns about world population. It has since grown in size and reputation as more and more academies have joined its ranks and new ones have been founded. From the Royal Society, the oldest academy in continuous existence, to the academies of Mozambique and Nicaragua, both founded a year ago, the IAP now has 103 members. The most recent member is the Academy of Sciences of Afghanistan. It is the United Nations of science.

IAP has worked on issues as diverse as population growth, ocean acidification and the teaching of evolution. The organisation's ambition is to become the most influential voice for the world's scientists amid the clamour of politicians and lobby groups.