News item | 16-11-2023 | 1:00 pm
More safety and freedom for scientists to do their work. To this end, the 194 member states of the UN organization UNESCO today unanimously adopted a resolution, which was submitted at the intercession of Minister Dijkgraaf (OCW). This starts a UN program and brings more attention to the safety of scientists among countries around the world.
Minister Dijkgraaf: “We are seeing an alarming increase in threats and intimidation of scientists all over the world. While their work ensures that we can make the right decisions in politics, based on the facts. Science is crucial in the fight against misinformation. I see it as a step in the right direction that so many countries want to get started with this. That is desperately needed.”
More freedom
Last week, Minister Dijkgraaf argued for the adoption of this resolution at the biennial general conference of UNESCO in Paris. The central point of that resolution: every country must make efforts to strengthen the scientific freedom of scientists. That is not self-evident. There are notorious examples of scientists being arrested for their work and ending up in prison. But it can also involve restrictions on freedoms by companies with commercial interests. Or threats or intimidation from activists. For example, earlier this year, research among climate researchers worldwide showed that almost 40% have been threatened or intimidated because of their research. Unfortunately, there are also well-known examples of scientists who had to be protected due to their research during corona times, also in the Netherlands. Finally, this also concerns scientists who do not feel safe enough in their working environment. Think of unwanted behavior, which particularly affects women and minorities worldwide.
Working together in a UN context
The adopted resolution starts a UNESCO program to exchange knowledge more and more structurally, collaborate better and share good examples. In addition, there are various concrete plans and actions that countries can get started with. This includes better regulations, improving knowledge and awareness, but also setting up good reporting points where scientists can go for help. The adopted resolution does not contain any coercive measures, but the agreement is that countries must account every 4 years for the actions they have taken to improve the safety and freedom of scientists.
It is no coincidence that this program starts under the banner of UNESCO. UNESCO was founded after the Second World War to protect soft forces in society, such as education, science, culture and journalism.
There is also work to be done in the Netherlands
Because a strong position of science is of great importance, and work on safety and freedom is never finished, Minister Dijkgraaf is also taking measures in his own country. For example, last year, the Science Safe reporting center was established together with universities, NWO and the KNAW, among others. Here, scientists and other staff can quickly receive the right help in the event of threats and intimidation, and if necessary be put in contact with the police. Minister Dijkgraaf also works with educational institutions to improve social safety in the workplace. And he makes targeted investments, for example for more research grants, which provide peace and space for scientists to do their work in complete freedom.