In search of the grail - UNESCO's scientific activities - UNESCO's programme for 1994-1995: Solidarity and Sharing

IN the wake of the UN Conference on Environment and Development held at Rio de Janeiro in 1992, sustainable development has become a new Holy Grail, and "capacity building"--strengthening human resources, particularly in developing nations--has been deemed one of the keys to fulfilling the quest. It is also the foundation of UNESCO's scientific programmes for the 1994-1995 biennium.

"The human element is the most important factor, both as a means of achieving sustainable development and as its main beneficiary," says Adnan Badran, UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for science. "We therefore need to get whole populations involved and provide countries with the knowledge and expertise they require to carry out research and implement projects that will bring about such sustainable development."

UNESCO's science programmes for 1994-1995, which in many ways served as a forerunner to the Earth Summit and which were roundly endorsed by the participants in the Rio meeting, have consequently put the emphasis on education, specialist training and research. Workshops, scholarships, exchange programmes, research grants and specially devised computer modules will thus enable thousands of biologists, chemists, geologists, hydrologists, marine scientists, ecologists and technicians to be trained.

At the same time the science programmes have fine-tuned their research to the goals and priorities of Agenda 21, the plan of action adopted at Rio, for which they are particularly well suited. The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme's network of 311 biosphere reserves in all types of ecosystems around the world, for example, provides a ready-made global laboratory for the study and monitoring of biodiversity. The "Diversitas" programme has been set up to this end, covering terrestrial, freshwater, marine and coastal environments and all living things, from whales to microbes. The biosphere reserves could also provide logistic support for research by the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) which seeks to improve understanding of the water cycle and management of the planet's precious water resources. Those in coastal areas could provide precious data for the work of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) in monitoring global change. For its part the International Geological Correlation Programme (IGCP) will be geared towards better identification of mineral resources.

Another characteristic of the workplan for 1994-1995 is the emphasis on an interdisciplinary and multi-sectoral approach. "The environment must not be treated in isolation," explains Gisbert Glaser, co-ordinator of UNESCO's environmental programmes. "It is inextricably linked to a range of other domains, and our work must concentrate on these interrelations."

The "Environment and population education and information for human development" project is a good example of the new direction being taken. "The overall aim is to improve education and information on subjects which are too often treated as separate issues," says Glaser. The $2.1 million project is a combined effort by the science, social science and education sectors with other UN agencies, and will see the development of scientifically sound teaching materials as well as information for decision-makers and the media, the training of experts, and the provision of technical support for reshaping education systems and training programmes.

GREEN ENGINEERS

A major push will also be made in basic and engineering sciences--to improve university teaching and promote research in these fields. "It was said clearly in Rio that engineering sciences should incorporate environmentally friendly components," says Mr. Badran. "Engineers shape our landscapes and thus have an important impact on the environment. In the past, they have not been concerned about this impact--they have not been concerned about such details as the level of carbon that their machines have spewed into the atmosphere or the effect of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) on the ozone level--and this must change." The University-Industry-Science Partnership (UNISPAR) project well illustrates UNESCO's aims in this direction.

UNESCO will also reinforce its support for renewable energy research and networks of solar energy centres in the Mediterranean countries, Africa, Asia and Latin America.

"Strength through union" is how new MAB Director Pierre Lasserre describes the programme's guiding principle for the coming biennium. It would also serve well as the leitmotiv for the rest of UNESCO's science sector.

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