“It’s about listening to what our scientists have to say, even when it is inconvenient – especially when it is inconvenient.”
– U.S. President Barack Obama, 2009
The Institute on Science for Global Policy
Scientific and technological (S&T) advancements in the 21st century, from smart phones to genetic sequencing and vaccine development, are progressing at an explosive pace, profoundly affecting both developed and developing countries and their increasingly global societies.
Public policies impacting and affected by these S&T accomplishments encompass many of the most significant geopolitical and security issues. However, governments too frequently have crafted policies without sufficient scientific expertise or understanding to maneuver safely through the minefield of unintended consequences, positive or negative. In short, there is a disconnect between S&T advances and well-formulated public policy. The Institute on Science for Global Policy seeks to enhance the ability of governments to bridge the increasingly critical intersection between scientific and technological understanding and major societal issues shaping domestic and international policies. It is designed to ease the path for policymakers by exposure to sound scientific understanding.
Through direct debate among policymakers and leading scientists, the ISGP intends to become a unique major international forum for identifying scientifically credible understanding of the major 21st century S&T issues in the context of global policy perspectives. The ISGP conference debates give international leaders a clear scientific understanding critical to creating sound publi policies – something no other institute currently provides in such fashion.