Leshner: U.S., Europe Share “an Obligation to Help Build Scientific Capacity in the Developing World”

BRUSSELS, Belgium—With the world moving into a new era of discovery and challenge, the United States and Europe must join to support emerging science communities and to help lead in the development of a global network of scientific knowledge, AAAS CEO Alan I. Leshner told an audience of high-level researchers and government officials.

In an address here marking the 50th anniversary of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre at Ispra, Italy, Leshner credited the Europeans with successful work to integrate the scientific enterprise across much of the continent and to educate and engage the public in science and technology issues.

But, he said, the world’s leading research powers must develop genuine partnerships with emerging nations that have embraced science and technology to solve critical problems and drive economic growth. Together, he added, Europe and the United States can work with other nations to build global science capacity while addressing such problems as climate change and infectious disease and seeking more consistent scientific standards on education, research, and ethics.

“High-quality science now is going on all over the world,” said Leshner, who serves also as executive publisher of the journal Science. “No longer is good science only the purview of the United States or Europe.... More and more countries have realized that for their nation to prosper, they have to have strong capacities and polices that reflect the best science.”

To learn more about Alan I. Leshner’s address on trans-Atlantic science and technology cooperation, read the full story.