Read the full piece by David Dickson in the Cape Times of October 09, 2006.
"The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) is not a science funding agency. The size of its budget alone precludes this responsibility. At present the agency spends less on science every year than a small university in the United States. This means it cannot implement even relatively small scientific projects.
"In contrast, Unesco has a major role to play in guiding governments - particularly in the developing world - on how they should spend their money on science. A good example is the agency's recent work in Nigeria, which has led directly to the proposed creation of a National Science Foundation with an endowment of $5 billion."
Comment: It is important, while the evaluation committee is reviewing UNESCO's science programs, and while member nation delegations are preparing for a debate on these programs next year, that there be a public discussion of UNESCO's role and its performance in science. My thanks to David Dickson for stimulating such discussion. JAD
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