In the leadup to United Nations Action Day of the Summit of the Future, the GYA was invited to join the United Nations Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) at UN Headquarters for its inaugural in-person retreat in September 2024. Co-Chair Yensi Flores Bueso (University College Cork/University of Washington in Seattle, Ireland/United States) attended the retreat to represent the GYA.
The SAB retreat is intended to provide a platform for open dialogue and collaboration to strengthen the connection between science, diplomacy, and society.
During their time together, the SAB considered emerging scientific breakthroughs and their impact on the work of the United Nations (UN), connected with network institutions representing over 100,000 scientists, and worked on a joint Statement on Trust in Science (The Statement is available for download here).
The Statement posits that trust in science is under attack from both misinformation and disinformation, and offers a roadmap for rebuilding trust in science, and also accelerating the United Nations Sustainability Goals, and opening the benefits of scientific progress for all.
During the meetings, Yensi had the chance to speak directly to Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, about the state of young scientists around the globe: “Building trust in science is strongly linked to researchers communicating with the public, engaging with policymakers, and contributing to broader societal needs. However, from the perspective of an early-career researcher, the primary metrics for securing funding, job opportunities, and career advancement remain focused almost entirely on publications, leaving limited incentives and opportunities for us to contribute in these areas. Therefore, I would like to ask that member states are encouraged to recognize and incentivize a broader range of contributions and career paths in science, ensuring that diverse forms of engagement and impact are equally valued.”
Yensi wasn’t the only GYA representative involved with Summit of the Future. GYA member Mohammad Hosseini (Northwestern University, United States) was involved with two panels: “Activating Young Scientists for Trust in Science”, and “Building Bridges Through Science Diplomacy: Accelerating Progress Towards Sustainable Development”. (You can read a report from Mohammad here.)
About the Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board
The Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board and its associated global network of scientific institutions advise UN leaders on breakthroughs in science and technology – how to harness the benefits of these advances and mitigate potential risks. The Board provides independent insights on trends at the intersection of science, technology, ethics, governance and sustainable development to support UN System organizations in anticipating, adapting to and leveraging scientific advancements in their work for people, planet and prosperity. The initial priority topics for the Board will be artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and climate change.
