Michel Spiro, world-renown physicist and President of the International Year of Basic Science for Sustainable Development (IYBSSD). — VNS Photo Nhật Hồng

BÌNH ĐỊNH — Every scientist should think of how their findings could impact the world and contribute to making it better.

That was the message from Michel Spiro, President of the International Year of Basic Science for Sustainable Development (IYBSSD) speaking at “Science, Ethics and Human Development” conference on Tuesday at the International Centre for Interdisciplinary Science and Education (ICISE) in Quy Nhơn City, Bình Định Province.  

He also said scientists need to be given the necessary funds and freedom to conduct their research and be listened to at all levels of decision-making. 

The event is the third in a series of international conferences on science and society, which has been organised regularly since 2016 by the association Rencontres du Vietnam, under the leadership of Vietnamese-born physicist Jean Trần Thanh Vân.

As the world enters the new normal era, science and policy-making, while seemingly separate by a significant distance in their approaches to problems, should and can be united in their common goal for the good of society. 

Panellists in a discussion on science and policy-making. — VNS Photo Nhật Hồng

In a panel discussion following the opening, Phan Thanh Bình, former president of the Commission of Education at the National Assembly of Việt Nam, said: “Scientists are curious and want to explore, discover new things, while policymakers want things do things in order.

“There is a distance between science and policymaking, both need to be aware of that and bridge that gap, because science is the foundation for development.”

Sharing the same perspectives, Dennis Naughten, member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Working Group on Science and Technology added: “Scientists or policymakers, we all strive for the same thing, which is to solve problems.”

The panelists also noted that science is much more than a body of knowledge - it also concerns critical thinking, repetitive procedures and peer reviews in their works to achieve concrete results. 

Karen Hallberg, research director from Argentina’s Atomic Centre of Bariloche said: “It is important to convey to decision-makers, and in their discussion with us as well.”

Emphasising the need to convey ideas in simple terms to increase people’s understanding and trust, she added that scientists need to clearly communicate the limitations and uncertainty in their knowledge as well, citing mask mandates in the world as an example. 

She added: “Scientists are not here to defend our own topics, but to inform and contribute to decision-making.”

“Science, Ethics and Human Development” is the flagship continental event for Asia in the context of the International Year of Basic Science for Sustainable Development 2022 (IYBSSD), which focuses on the links between basic sciences and the Sustainable Development Goals, for the common good. 

Topics of discussion include environment and biodiversity; sustainability and resources; health and manipulating living organisms, challenges, opportunities and ethics in science education, artificial intelligence and augmented mankind; emergent technologies, nanotech, biotech; science, peace and disarmament.

Omar Mokhtar, Senior Advisor to the General Secretary for the Interparliamentary Union (IPU) said about the event: “This time is very special and also very difficult." 

The world is now divided by wars and hurt by the pandemic, he said, emphasising that scientists should come together despite conflicts to form a united front. 

Praising Việt Nam as a good example of rebuilding a country after the wars, Mokhtar went on to explain why ICISE was chosen as the host of this flagship event for Asia. 

Omar added: “This centre is probably the most important centre in Việt Nam. Its role is growing because now it is not only about science and politics, but also the future.” — VNS