---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Iryna Kuchma Date: 4 October 2011 12:40 Subject: [BOAI] Civil Society Update Consultation Right to enjoy benefits of scientific progress Expert on Cultural Rights To: boai-forum [Forwarding from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, via Gavin Baker. Note that Question 5 concerns OA. --Peter Suber.] Civil Society Section Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights UN expert on cultural rights Consultation on the right to enjoy benefits of scientific progress and its applications Dear All, On behalf of Ms. Farida Shaheed, UN Independent Expert in the field of cultural rights, pursuant to her forthcoming report on the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications, you are invited to complete a prepared questionnaire, below. Please respond within 2,500 words by 25 November 2011: ieculturalrights@ohchr.org Please also indicate if you have any objections with regard to your reply being posted on the OHCHR website. Should you have any questions or require any clarifications concerning this request, please address them to the email above. *** Background The right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications are enshrined in article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and article 15, paragraph 1 (b), of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The right covers all sciences: life, physical, behavioural and social, as well as engineering and the health professions. The realization of this right requires steps be taken to ensure (a) the access of all people, especially marginalized groups, to the benefits of scientific knowledge, progress and its applications necessary to lead a dignified life, as well as to the information necessary for engaging in decision-making processes regarding proposed areas of research and development; (b) the freedom indispensable for scientific research, including the rights of scientists to freedom of thought, to hold opinions without interference, and to travel; (c) that the manner in which scientific research is undertaken and applied does not give rise to violations of human rights; (d) the establishment of a robust scientific infrastructure, bearing in mind the financial and human resources required for the realization of the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications; and (e) the development and encouragement of international contacts and cooperation. *** QUESTIONNAIRE ON THE RIGHT TO ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS AND ITS APPLICATIONS Can you please indicate the specific areas in relation to the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its application that your organization works with, and provide examples of the nature of issues you have taken up and challenges you have faced in working with this issue? Accessing the benefits of science and its applications 1. What legal, administrative and policy measures exist or are planned in your country to: a) ensure that marginalized groups benefit from scientific progress and its applications, including, women, persons with disabilities, minority groups, rural communities and indigenous peoples? b) promote research and development in areas specifically relevant to marginalized groups, by, for example, providing incentives for innovative research on neglected diseases? c) ensure and facilitate broad access to information and communication technologies (e.g., computers, Internet and mobile phones)? d) identify and develop the scientific applications necessary for sustainable solutions to ensure the right of everyone to have access to safe and nutritious food, access to potable water and sanitation, and to address climate change? 2. What are the key challenges faced in your country in undertaking research at the domestic level and ensuring access to scientific developments and its applications, particularly for marginalized groups? Scientific responsibility, safeguards and remedies 3. What legal, administrative, and policy mechanisms exist or are planned in your country to: a) regulate and monitor scientific research and its applications in the private and public sector so as to provide safeguards against any infringement upon the full enjoyment of human rights? In particular, to safeguard the human rights of participants in research activities and applications by public and private scientific institutions (e.g. rights to information, free and informed consent)? b) protect the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities whose traditional knowledge is utilized, in the development, dissemination and commercialization of scientific information and knowledge? c) provide effective remedies and safeguards for any human rights violation related to scientific research or the applications of science or technology? (e.g. judicial review, national human rights institutions or ombudspersons, and other administrative arrangements). The rights of scientists and collaborative work 4. What measures have been put in place to recognize, respect and protect the rights of scientists to: a) freedom of expression, information and association? b) collaborate with colleagues nationally and internationally, including through sharing data, samples, research findings, and other information, by travelling freely within and outside the country, and conducting joint research projects? 5. What legal, administrative, policy or other measures have been adopted/are under consideration to eliminate barriers to scientific communication and collaboration, such as censorship, restrictions on access to the Internet or on free availability of scientific literature and journals? Participatory decision-making and transparency 6. What measures are put in place to ensure dissemination of information about ongoing scientific research and its applications, including potentially adverse effects of emerging areas of research and its applications, to the public at large? 7. What opportunities exist for meaningful public participation in decision-making about existing and new developments in science and technology? 8. What steps have/are being taken to promote quality science education at all levels for all, in particular for girls, rural populations and the poor? International cooperation, achievements and challenges 9. Is the development and application of science and technology integrated in international cooperation policies, such as direct development assistance programs? If so, please provide details. 10. What are the key obstacles and challenges to international cooperation and what steps have been taken to address these? Please provide details. 11. What are the achievements in the field of scientific progress and its applications? Please provide details. ****** Best regards, Civil Society Section Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Tel. +41 (0) 22 - 917 - 9656 Visit our website: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/AboutUs/Pages/CivilSociety.aspx -- To unsubscribe from the BOAI Forum, use the form on this page: http://www.soros.org/openaccess/forum.shtml?f -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.