Civil Participation in Science Policy-Making (CIV)
Partners:
- Malta Council for Science and Technology (Malta)
- Gallup Romania (Romania)
- Observa – Science in Society (Italy)
- Law University of Lithuania (Lithuania)
- The Slovak Academy of Sciences – Institute of Sociology (Slovakia)
- GMPR group s.n.c. (Italy)
The Project:
Scientific issues are normally considered the domain of the few who are endowed with the ability to "understand" scientific issues. But while this might be true in as much as the actual pursuit of scientific work is concerned, the overall policies that set the very framework of science in any society – and for it – are determined by political agencies, many times based on budgetary consideration rather than scientific ones. This would mean that while science is "practised" by scientists, it is determined by laymen; indeed by a rather close and narrow group of budget officers, while the majority of the population is "cast" out and excluded from decision-making processes pertaining to science. This is, of course, not a result of force major, nor is it a result of mere disinterest on the part of the civil society. It is a result of an unintentional neglect. This study was set out to examine and determine such ways to increase civil participation in the determination of the scientific agenda.
To begin with, the realities of decision-making with regard to scientific development have been studied as actually practised in several countries. At the same time, theoretical considerations as to how such policies can (or should) evolve were contemplated. Other premises pursued have been means and ways that if put to practice would allow wider participation by the public in the determination of sciences policies. From this endeavour, series of ways, means and practical recommendations have emerged, were presented and then tried out in selected environments.
A special attention hs been be given to the role of women in science as related to the general participation of the public in the determination of scientific issues. Not only increasing the level of participation within the general public would increase women's participation and vice versa but what might emerge might well be a leverage to increase gender awareness and women's participation in other aspects of societal activities altogether.