Philippines Calls for Action to Promote Scientific Freedom and Safety of Scientists 

PARIS 08 April 2024 – UNESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Sector, during an event at the sidelines of the 219th Session of the UNESCO Executive Board, presented the newly established Programme on the Promotion of Scientific freedom and the Safety of Scientists as a follow up to UNESCO’s 2017 Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers which commits Member States to create enabling science ecosystems that allow scientists and science to flourish. 

Ms. Judith van Voorst Vader of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science presented a summary of the publication entitled “The Safety of Scientific Researchers”  which delved into the threats to scientists and underlined the urgency for deeper and more comprehensive data collection and analysis on the subject. 

This was followed by a panel discussion, with high-level participation from Chile, Denmark, Ghana, Paraguay, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Philippines and moderated by H.E. Monique van Daalen, Permanent Delegate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to UNESCO, which provided insights and perspectives of the importance of scientific freedom and the safety of scientists for their respective countries. 

Philippine Secretary of Science and Technology, Hon. Renato Solidum, Jr. who participated virtually in the event, said, in his remarks that, “since science, technology and innovation are powerful tools to address the world's pressing issues, it is only high time that we push for the Call to Action on the Freedom and Safety of Scientists.”  

Chargé d'affaires, a.i. Eric Gerardo E. Tamayo shared that “the Call to Action is envisioned to amplify our national efforts with the backing of the international community, allowing us to adopt best practices and collaborate in fostering a policy environment conducive to scientific research and development.” 

Finally, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences Gabriela Ramos emphasized the importance of creating a safe and enabling environment for scientists and also in putting the spotlight on the ‘S’ of UNESCO to complete its mandate.

The Philippines’ resolution entitled “UNESCO’s Programme on the Promotion of Scientific Freedom and Safety of Scientists and a Related Call to Action,” co-authored with Chile, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Paraguay, was co-sponsored by 60 UNESCO member states and was successfully adopted by the UNESCO Executive Board at its 219th Session. Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Philippines to UNESCO, H.E. Junever M. Mahilum-West highlighted that “a safe and enabling environment is essential for scientists and scientific researchers to practice their profession and share their knowledge and expertise to the public, that  will ultimately redound to science- and expert-based policies.” END

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