AAAS Leads Planning for a Science and Human Rights Coalition

Through its Science and Human Rights Program, AAAS is leading plans for a new collaboration on human rights involving many science associations. The Science and Human Rights Coalition, scheduled for launch early next year, is meant to broaden the scientific community's involvement with human rights. Organizers say that could include more attention to the right of all to share in the benefits of scientific progress.

The Science and Human Rights Program (SHRP) has been hosting a series of planning meetings with representatives of scientific and academic associations to develop the framework for the new coalition. The goal is to help scientific societies more readily coordinate their efforts on human rights issues and provide scientific expertise to the global human rights community.

"We're moving very deliberately, very thoughtfully," said Mona Younis, SHRP director, "to ensure that we proceed together from a shared vision and commitment for the long haul." The fifth in a series of planning meetings is scheduled for June 9. The participants have included representatives from such organizations as the American Anthropological Association, the Association of American Geographers, the American Psychological Association, the American Physical Society, the American Chemical Society, the American Sociological Association, and the American Political Science Association.

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