Science and Technology in the Era of Globalization

On the occasion of last week’s conference on Globalization: Challenges and Opportunities for Science and Technology, co-organized by UNESCO and the United Nations University (UNU) in Yokohama, Japan, UNESCO Director General, Mr. Koїchiro Matsuura, underlined that it was one of UNESCO’s main concerns to render globalization more beneficial to all by empowering people to escape exclusion and discrimination, and by empowering countries to become equal actors in the global arena. To accomplish this, Mr Matsuura stated, science and technology would be key, inter alia by promoting equal access to information and knowledge through the use of information- and communication technologies, and by strengthening developing countries’ institutional capacities to lead and manage scientific research and development. In this context, Mr. Matsuura emphasized that a well-functioning and inclusive education system that delivers high quality education for all was a basic precondition for any effective science and technology policy.

The Conference, held August 23^rd-24^th, 2006, provided a forum for eminent experts from around the world to review the ways in which globalization is changing science and technology, and vice-versa, and assess the opportunities that these changes offer. Panelists discussed how science and technology link with, and contribute to, economic and social development in four fundamental areas — knowledge-sharing, trade and technology transfer, society and policy-making, and science and technology education for sustainable development — and how globalization is influencing these processes.

James Collins, Assistant-Director for the Biological Sciences Directorate, National Science Foundation, was among the key speakers who intervened during the conference.

Conference proceedings, papers, and presentations will be posted to these pages as material becomes available.

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UNESCO and Globalization