The InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) is delighted to share its latest e-bulletin with you. 
December 2023 - March 2024

PROJECT

IAP released its 2023 Policy Brief

The IAP's latest Policy Brief offers a succinct summary of our actions throughout 2023, highlighting the tangible outcomes and contributions resulting from our collaborative efforts. It underscores the significance of our shared commitment to advancing knowledge and addressing global challenges. The document provides valuable insights and recommendations for addressing critical issues in the fields of science, engineering and medicine. Read it here and send us your feedback!

PROJECT

IAP adopts a Code of Conduct

The IAP Code of Conduct serves as a comprehensive framework delineating principles of diversity, inclusion, integrity, civility and respect within the organisation's activities. This code rigorously prohibits all forms of discrimination, harassment and bullying in any IAP-related engagement, whether it be in-person, virtual, or hybrid events. It not only sets clear expectations for behaviour but also delineates the consequences for violations. Read it here.

PROGRAMME

IAP hosted a webinar on global scientific exchange

The IAP Webinar titled 'Removing Barriers that hinder Global Scientific Exchange and Collaboration' took place on 19 March. The starting observation for this webinar is that researchers, academicians and practitioners across the world encounter regulatory, financial, cultural and infrastructural barriers that significantly impede global scientific collaboration. Through a series of presentations, panel discussions and interactive sessions, this webinar provided a platform for identifying these challenges, sharing experiences and exploring viable solutions to enhance global scientific exchange and networking. Read the speakers' biographies here. 

The IAP Webinar Series is an initiative designed to provide a platform for member academies and networks to come together, share insights and build partnerships. These webinars are conducted quarterly and offer a unique opportunity for academia, researchers and policymakers to discuss critical topics of common interest and contribute to the advancement of knowledge and global progress. Read more here.

PROJECT

Climate and Health: IAP co-hosts a workshop in Nepal

The US National Academy of Medicine (NAM), the National Academy of Science and Technology, Nepal, IAP and other partners recently co-organized a two-day workshop in Kathmandu, Nepal, focusing on the critical intersection between climate change and public health. Held on 14-15 March, the event garnered significant attention from experts, policymakers and stakeholders both locally and globally. Themed 'Connecting the Dots Between Climate Change and Health', the workshop aimed to identify key strategies for mitigating climate-related health risks, highlighting best practices and policies while emphasizing the importance of regional partnerships and commitments. Read more here.

PROJECT

IAP collaborating to advance biosecurity

IAP joined forces with the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) to host a course on 'Science Diplomacy'. The course took place on 4-5 March at the TWAS headquarters in Trieste, Italy, and aimed at building awareness of a cohort of young bioscientists to the intersection of science and diplomacy. Read more here. 

On 27-28 February, IAP hosted an international ‘Proof of Concept Meeting for a Scientific Advisory Body for the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC)‘, in coordination with the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). It was the second of two meetings to demonstrate a 'proof-of-concept' for a ‘hybrid’ scientific advisory body. The first meeting took place on-line on 14 November 2023 and had an open-ended number of participants (nearly 80). Read more here.

PROGRAMME 

IAP Young Physician Leaders (YPL)

Since 2011, the InterAcademy Partnership's Young Physician Leaders (YPL) programme has provided more than 250 outstanding young health professionals with skills to promote health and strengthen health systems around the world. The 18 participants of the 2023 edition came from 15 countries and four continents. Every day, YPL alumni from all over the world are working hard to improve health for all:

• YPL 2022 Duha Shellah, Chairwoman and Founder of the research community of Palestine 'The Researchist,' will participate as a panelist to the upcoming Global Public Health Week (GPHW) on 8 April. Read the news here.
• YPL 2018 Stefania Mondello has been actively involved in efforts to combat so-called 'paper mills' in scholarly publishing. Mondello is associated with United2Act, an international coalition working collectively to address the challenges posed by paper mills in academic research. Read the news here.
• YPL 2013 Fabien Vincent is leading a research aiming to improve our understanding of autoimmune rheumatic disease (AIRD) in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Australia. Read the news here.

PUBLICATION

Energy! How can we ensure sustainable energy for all?

Energy! is a freely available community research guide developed by the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) in partnership with IAP, as part of the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals project. These Smithsonian Science for Global Goals community research guides use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework to focus on sustainable actions that are defined and implemented by students. This new community research guide is intended for students aged 11 to 18 and aims to help young people explore how their communities can create a more sustainable future by using sustainable energy sources, adopting sustainable energy practices and increasing energy access and equity both locally and globally. Read it and download it here.

PUBLICATION

Ocean! How can we create a sustainable future for the ocean?

The goal of this guide by the Smithsonian Science Education Center is to prepare young people to take considered action on pressing global issues related to the Oceans. Considered action means young people learn about a problem, connect it to the larger system, consider all the complexities of the problem, decide for themselves the best way to address it, and then execute a solution. By following this curriculum, young people are prepared not only to take considered action on issues related to Oceans, but to build the skills needed to intervene on issues that affect them and their communities. Read and download part one here and part two here.

PUBLICATION

Towards a Plastic Treaty: update on the EASAC Plastics Report

Systemic failures are driving rapid growth in production, consumption and leakage of plastics in the marine, terrestrial and freshwater environments, shows a new Commentary by the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC). This summary of the latest scientific evidence aims to inform negotiations of a much-needed International Plastics Treaty. With current policies, global plastic waste is expected to nearly triple by 2060. Read more and download the document here. 

PUBLICATION

IANAS Statement to support education and science in Argentina

Due to the public demonstrations of a presidential candidate in Argentina who proposes closing or privatizing the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) and eliminating the country’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, the Inter-American Network of Academies of Sciences (IANAS) is disseminating an Executive Committee approved statement on the aggravation of education and science in Argentina. Read and download the statement here.

IPBES call: Strengthening Knowledge Generation Catalysis

In a bid to enhance the implementation of Objective 3 (a) of the IPBES rolling work programme, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) issued a call for inputs aimed at bolstering knowledge generation catalysis. Deadline is 5 May 2024. Read and apply here.

Latest News Highlights

International Support Sought to Preserve Science and Technology in Argentina

In response to alarming developments in Argentina's scientific and technological sectors since President Javier Milei's administration took office in December 2023, directors of scientific institutions have launched a plea for international support. In a unified effort under the Network of Authorities of Science and Technology Institutes of Argentina (RAICYT), they have mobilized opposition, gathering over 13,000 signatures from national colleagues urging the government to reconsider its decisions. Now, seeking international solidarity, they are reaching out to renowned institutions for endorsement, hoping to prompt the Argentine government to reassess its stance. Read more here.

Smithsonian Science Education Center Wins One Smithsonian Education Award

The Smithsonian Science for Global Goals project has been honored with the 'One Smithsonian Education Award' for its contributions to global education. The project, led by the Smithsonian Science Education Center and implemented in collaboration with IAP, was selected as the recipient from a pool of nominees spanning the institution's educational initiatives. The project was praised for its impact in providing youth worldwide with the knowledge and skills to understand global issues and become agents for change in their communities. The selection committee also commended the team for their inclusive approach in working with internal Smithsonian staff and external partners to create community research guides. Read more here.

News from IAP member academies and networks

Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS)

The Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS) is celebrating its 10th anniversary. On this occasion, AAHMS is reflecting on some of its highlights over the past decade, including the Life as a Clinician-Scientist programme, created to nurture the next generation of leaders. More than 200 speakers have shared their wisdom over 27 Life as a Clinician-Scientist events so far. Read more here.

African Academy of Sciences (AAS) 

The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) launched its new Strategic Plan. Read the press release here and watch the launch webinar here. AAS also published an article on 'How to transform Africa's food system' in the Communications Earth and Environment scientific journal published by Nature. Read more here.

Latin American Academy of Sciences (ACAL)

The Latin American Academy of Sciences (ACAL) launched its platform AcalConecta, a curated database and search mechanism to centralize scientific events and researchers in Latin America. The platform's goal is facilitating access to relevant scientific information in the region. It provides deterministic and AI-based searches for events and researchers, fostering connections and collaborations, while efforts such as active social media presence and email marketing campaigns aim to increase platform engagement and user base growth. Visit AcalConecta here. 

Accademia Nazionale di Medicina (AccMed)

Accademia Nazionale di Medicina (AccMed), Italy, is organizing its 2nd Milan 'Me(e)t immune' Conference - How Metabolism Meets the Immune System in Human Malignancies. The Congress will take place in Milan, Italy, on 3-4 May. This Conference will bring together national and international experts in the field of pre-clinical and clinical research on cancer metabolism and immunology, with the aim of sharing and discussing the most recent advances in this field of research. Read more and register here.

ALL European Academies (ALLEA)

On 14 March 2024, ALL European Academies (ALLEA) released a statement advocating for strengthening the scope and role of science education curricula, at the primary and post-primary level, to equip young learners with the requisite knowledge, skills and values to become informed, critical, responsible and ethically conscious participants in a scientifically literate society. Read it here.

National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL)

The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) launched the Special Concerns Program (SCP), to boost in-depth and future-driven policy research on ST&I concerns. The SCP has 14 projects on a wide range of topics. The results of in-depth studies on these areas shall be used as valuable inputs for the formulation of policy resolutions and legislative proposals. Read more here.

World Academy of Arts and Science (WAAS)

The 148th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly is taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, on 23-27 March. The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments. Hundreds of parliamentarians from around the world are expected to attend the Assembly to address the theme: 'Parliamentary Diplomacy: Building Bridges For Peace and Understanding.' On 25 March, members of the Human Security For All (HS4A) campaign and the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS) are hosting a discussion around the theme: 'Human Security: Equipping Parliamentarians for Peace Building and Conflict Prevention.' Read more here.

Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD)

The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) announces the opening of the Call for Applications for OWSD's new scholarship for refugee women scientists, the Women in Science Displacement Outreach Master's Program (OWSD WISDOM). OWSD offers fully-funded master's degree scholarships in the natural, engineering, information and technology sciences for women refugees at Hashemite University in Jordan. Deadline for application is 15 April 2024. Read more here.

For more news...

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The IAP Newsletter is distributed quarterly. If you would like to submit an article or a news item to be included in the next newsletter, please contact the IAP secretariat.

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