7.1.1: Representation
Represent the science and technology community in interaction with the other, so called, ‘Major Groups’ of civil society. Other Information:
Sustainable development: Good governance needs good science. Following on from the World Summit on Sustainable Development
(WSSD, Johannesburg, 2002), ICSU, together with the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, continues to represent
the science and technology community in the annual meetings of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development. The Commission
provides an important forum for interaction with the other, so called, ‘Major Groups’ of civil society (Business and Industry,
Labour Unions, Local Authorities, Farmers, Women, Youth, Indigenous Peoples and NGOs) as well as with relevant UN bodies and
government delegations. It provides an interface both between science and society and science and policy. As such, the Commission
meetings provide a potential basis for the multi-stakeholder dialogue that is necessary to develop a relevant research agenda
for sustainable development. In 2004, the OECD Science Ministers issued an important statement on science for sustainable
development calling for, among other things, a follow-up meeting to address how science for sustainable development can be
further promoted. In 2005, the International Group of Funding Agencies for Global Change Research and ICSU organized a workshop
with the development research community to address how global change research can contribute to addressing the Millennium
Development Goals. ICSU is now working with these various partners to prepare for substantive scientific input to the follow-up
process outlined in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation and a possible follow-up Summit in 2007. SPECIFIC ACTIONS: • ICSU
will continue to participate in the meetings of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development to ensure that science is fully
integrated into policy development in relation to sustainable development; • ICSU will participate in efforts by OECD and
other international bodies to strengthen science for sustainable development and will assist in the preparation of science
input to a possible WSSD+5; and • ICSU will provide scientific input to relevant international assessments, conventions and
legal tools pertinent to sustainable development.
Indicator(s):
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