7.1.2: The Information Society

Develop an integrated global framework for scientific data and information, including intellectual property rights.

Other Information:

ICSU actively participated in the first phase of the UN World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS, Geneva, 2003). This included the development of an agenda for action – ‘Science in the Information Society’18 that lays out the priority issues that need to be addressed at the policy and operational level in order that science can optimally contribute to the rapidly developing global information society. In particular this agenda sets out the key actions necessary to overcome the ‘digital knowledge divide’. These actions, including the need to strengthen the public domain for science and provide universal and equitable access to scientific data, were subsequently incorporated into the formal documents that were adopted by governments. A follow-up to the Geneva (2003) Summit was held in Tunis in 2005 and, with ICSU support, several Interdisciplinary Bodies and Members19 were closely involved in this. At the time of adoption of this strategic plan it is uncertain what the impact of the Tunis Summit will be and what governmental follow-up process will be implemented. A continuing formal role for ICSU is unlikely. However, whatever happens, it is certain that many of the key issues that have been raised in the summit process regarding the role of science in the information society will continue to be discussed in international policy fora to which ICSU can contribute. In this context, one of the major concerns relating to scientific data and information is the need to develop national and international policies on intellectual property rights that strengthen rather than weaken science. Such policies were hotly debated in the summit process but, whilst the importance of a strong public domain for science and education was acknowledged, it was not clear how this might impact on international organizations, such as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the World Trade Organization, that have responsibility for intellectual property issues. SPECIFIC ACTIONS: • In taking forward the development of an integrated global framework for scientific data and information, ICSU will participate in key international policy fora; and • ICSU will explore, with its members, how appropriate mechanisms can be implemented to ensure that science is fully represented in international organizations, such as WIPO, that might have an impact on access to data and information (and other ‘scientific goods’) for scientific purposes.

Indicator(s):

Indicator:1

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