Equitable scientific cooperation worldwide
German Commission for UNESCOExterne Publikationen (2024)
Bonn: German Commission for UNESCO
Excellent science is a prerequisite for the environmental, social and economic transformation needed to respond to global crises. This is particularly true for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where research on the local impacts of global crises and possible solutions is lacking. International scientific cooperation is essential for these countries, as their own financial budgets for science are usually very small. UN agencies also have very limited funding for science. At the same time, multilaterally agreed research agendas do not influence bilateral cooperation effectively enough. International scientific cooperation must be organised on an equitable basis. This norm is enshrined in international law and has recently been increasingly claimed. It is also being operationalised in an increasingly differentiated way at the international level; examples include the TRUST Code and the Africa Charter. German science policy and German science funding have also unequivocally recognised this norm; almost all relevant German policy papers have been calling for the norm of equity for years. Furthermore, in February 2024 the Council of the European Union endorsed the ‘Brussels Statement’ on principles and values for international
cooperation in research and innovation. The Statement calls for a roadmap to establish a common understanding of principles and values for international R&I cooperation, as well as for coordination with organisations such as UNESCO, UNCSTD, OECD, International Science Council, G7, G20, Council of Europe, and other international fora. In addition to rights-based and justice-based arguments, there are at least five other arguments in favour of the equity norm: 1. strengthening LMICs in their transformative capacity to solve problems, 2. greater efficiency, 3. strengthening rules-based global cooperation, 4. building trust and mutual understanding, and 5. better positioning in competition with other “donor” countries. All too often, however, equity is paid lip service and is rarely implemented consistently. This position paper puts forward concrete proposals to German science funding organisations on how to operationalise this “equality of opportunity” in funding lines and calls for proposals. This applies to basic, applied and problem-oriented research in all disciplines; for reasons explained later, the focus is on problem-oriented research. It is through such concrete proposals that this position paper hopes to make international scientific cooperation with LMICs truly equitable – moving from rhetoric to practice. To achieve this, this position paper makes proposals at three levels. First, on a cultural and structural level, the position paper recommends more openness to plural forms of knowledge and knowledge carriers. This includes the practice of plurality in evaluation and quality assurance, as well as structures for joint agenda-setting in the design of funding lines and calls for proposals. Another important lever for more plurality is the strengthening of partner countries and their institutions as well as their own funding structures. Secondly, the position paper recommends that the German government and German science funding organisations take greater account of the interests of partner countries in STC or WTZ agreements and national strategies and operationalise equal scientific cooperation in funding lines and calls for proposals, for example along the lines suggested here. This should facilitate the joint formulation of applications and ensure a plurality of knowledge and knowledge carriers; extend project cycles and adapt projects more flexibly; make capacity development and institutional strengthening eligible for funding and enable or simplify the transfer of funds to partners; and, finally, enable joint project responsibility and links between partner countries. Although scientific cooperation with LMICs is regulated and organised differently in “donor” countries, many of the proposals can serve as inspiration for other countries in this group. Thirdly, the position paper recommends enabling researchers in projects to negotiate and define equal roles and responsibilities, organising the scientific publication process in an equitable way, and rethinking science communication measures, particularly in terms of (local) effectiveness.
This position paper was developed over a period of almost two years by the Expert Committee on Science of the German Commission for UNESCO, chaired by Prof. Dr. Anna-Katharina Hornidge, primarily under the guidance of an editorial group set up for this purpose. The process has repeatedly drawn on the experience and expertise of partner countries around the world, including low- and middle-income countries. The Expert Committee on Science of the German Commission for UNESCO adopted the paper in May 2024 by a large majority, with all but one member supporting it; the Executive Board of the German Commission for UNESCO adopted the position paper on 20 June 2024.
