The Highlights Archive | Science for a Sustainable Future

Science for a Sustainable Future

Creating knowledge and understanding through science equips us to find solutions to today’s acute economic, social and environmental challenges and to achieving sustainable development and greener societies. As no one country can achieve sustainable development alone, international scientific cooperation contributes, not only to scientific knowledge but also to building peace.

UNESCO works to assist countries to invest in science, technology and innovation (STI), to develop national science policies, to reform their science systems and to build capacity to monitor and evaluate performance through STI indicators and statistics taking into account the broad range of country-specific contexts.

Science policies are not enough. Science and engineering education at all levels and capacity need to be built to allow countries to develop their own solutions to their specific problems and to play their part in the international scientific and technological arena.

Linking science to society, public understanding of science and the participation of citizens in science are essential to creating societies where people have the necessary knowledge to make professional, personal and political choices, and to participate in the stimulating world of discovery. Indigenous knowledge systems developed with long and close interaction with nature, complement knowledge systems based on modern science.

Science and technology empower societies and citizens but also involve ethical choices. UNESCO works with its member States to foster informed decisions about the use of science and technology, in particular in the field of bioethics.

Water is fundamental for life and ensuring water security for communities worldwide is essential to peace and sustainable development. The scientific understanding of the water cycle, the distribution and characteristics of surface and groundwater, of urban water all contribute to the wise management of freshwater for a healthy environment and to respond to human needs.

Scientific knowledge of the Earth’s history and mineral resources, knowledge of ecosystems and biodiversity, and the interaction of humans with ecosystems are important to help us understand how to manage our planet for a peaceful and sustainable future. Global environmental change has profound social and human dimensions. Over 30 UNESCO programmes in ocean and natural sciences, education, culture and communication contribute to creating knowledge, educating and communicating about climate change, and to understanding the ethical implications for present and future generations.

Disaster risk reduction

19 April 2018	Nature-based solutions for water were discussed in Almaty
4 April 2018	Forum of Journalism Universities: Practical Application of International Standards in Kazakhstan
19 March 2018	Launch of the United Nations World Water Development Report 2018 in Almaty
8 March 2018	#ChooseScience Campaign: women in science share their stories
7 February 2018	11 February: International Day of Women and Girls in Science
29 January 2018	The Climate Change Conference in Almaty recognizes the importance of scientific research and cooperation for proper adaptation and mitigation policies
16 January 2018	UNESCO and the Kingdom of the Netherlands renew their cooperation for water education
12 December 2017	UNESCO supports the development of professional standards for water sector
7 December 2017	The outcomes of 25 years of water cooperation in Central Asia were summarized in Tashkent
9 November 2017	10 November - World Science Day for Peace and Development
8 November 2017	UNESCO participates in a discussion on financing for development of water sector in Central Asia
16 October 2017	Center on Water Resources Management will be established in Almaty
13 October 2017	International Day for Disaster Reduction 2017: «Home Safe Home»
6 October 2017	Schoolchildren celebrated World Environment Day and World Teachers’ Day in Almaty
25 September 2017	UNESCO strengthens capacities of Central Asian young specialists in water resources management

Science for a Sustainable Future

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