Soctec2 Theme 3

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Scientists play important role in the governance process. This role, however, remains enigmatic because of some traditional notions and practices that limits the role of sciencebased people on policy making. The “new science” provides an opportunity to recast this role and to conceive a new form of policy making dynamics.

 Discuss

the issues which are associated in the interplay between science and technology on one hand, and on governance on the other;  Formulate questions regarding the interplay between science, technology and governance;

 Reflect

on the interplay using these questions as a framework; and to  Design an advocacy plan that aims to influence policy on health issues in the Philippines.

• What is inconvenient about climate change as an issue? •Why do you think this environmental issue is used as an icon to elucidate on the relationship between scientists and policy making? • Does this relationship has a future? Justify.

Climate change as truth and apathy of the people  Scientists expose the truth  Balance between knowledge creation and knowledge usage.  Inconvenient truth because it means cutting off economic activity.  Climate Change is a moral issue  Kyoto Protocol 

The policy maker – usually an elected or appointed official; makes decisions on which policy to implement  The policy advocate – a member of civil society; influences the decisionmaking process  The policy analyst – an objective analyst; provides technical advice and recommendations 

While there may be scientists who become politicians, and while some scientists become advocates, the natural domain of a scientist is policy analysis  Scientists have the technical capability to act as policy consultants, or to participate in technical policy working groups, and act as advisers to policy makers and even policy advocates 

It is of common knowledge that development problems require both political as well as technological solutions  Ideally, scientific knowledge leads to the development of technologies that are used in the development process. 

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The perceived “neutrality” of science The failure of scientists to translate their works into “readable” forms Lack of State support for S and T The control of science by powerful elites The “cultural” divide between “science” and “politics”

Reforming governance – balancing the political and scientific considerations in policy making.  Reforming science -begin to see science no longer as a neutral domain of knowledge, but more as a prescriptive activity that emerges to respond to the issues and problems of society 

“Old” Science

“New” Science

Emphasis on individual researchers Emphasis on teams of researchers Academic control over research direction

Research direction shaped by interaction with users

Curiosity and discipline driven

Problem and issue-based, multiand inter-disciplinary

Problems defined to minimize uncertainty in results

Problems all contain large and pervasive uncertainties

Local organizational knowledge base

Diverse sources of knowledge and networks of information

“Old” Science Quality judged by peer review

“New” Science Judgment by users and peers

Apparent disinterest of researchers Researchers are partisans (value (value free) laden) Communication by scientific articles Diverse forms of communication Linear logic from results to action

Highly non-linear relationship between results and action

Stakes are low

Stakes are high

Many NGOs have taken up science-based advocacy in the areas of the environment, sustainable agriculture, global warming, and public health  Increasing participation of scientists and academics in providing critical inputs to the formulation of global agreements 

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Growing acceptance of the idea that while global governance is the expertise of trained diplomats, the crafting of meaningful and valid agreements is also dependent on the work of scientists  Led to the emergence and development of “epistemic communities” 

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A transnational community of science-based policy analysts who are familiar both with the natural sciences as well as with governance processes. Organized as networks of people whose existence is established and maintained through repeated interaction in international meetings and conferences, joint research projects, and involvement in international and nongovernmental organizations

There are already networks in civil society with sciencebased connections  There are also now a growing number of natural scientists more directly involved in policy advocacy  These scientists appreciate their roles in the development of alternative governance systems and sustainable development processes 