SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY
5.1
A shift in the centre of gravity and a shift in opportunity
Investment in trusted science ecosystems is now essential for health, resilience and prosperity. Building local ownership and global cooperation will shape a more equitable, secure and scientifically empowered future S cience has been central to improvements in clinical and public health and is increasingly crucial to a country’s economic growth, prosperity, resilience National investment in science is required to improve not only health but also economic growth, and to address national and regional challenges, offering opportunities that secure long-term resilience and security. Jeremy Farrar, assistant director-general, Fatima Serhan, executive officer, Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Care Division, and Thidar Pyone, technical officer, Office of the Chief Scientist, World Health Organization
and security. Scientific advancements not only contribute to healthier populations, but science also drives sustainable growth by fostering innovation, creating jobs and boosting productivity. This creates a virtuous circle. Building such a virtuous circle requires strategic decisions, investments and long-term commitment by governments. Science ecosystems encompass diverse elements: strong and inclusive education systems, research infrastructure, trusted career paths, peer review, regulation and the private sector. The structure and focus of a science ecosystem will be country-specific but there are many universal features of successful ecosystems. THE IMPERATIVE OF DOMESTIC INVESTMENT Investing in science means financing
Robust, sustained science ecosystems also provide the best available scientific advice to be integrated permanently into all arms of government – critical for making evidence-informed policy and for facilitating equitable, faster access to knowledge and products and trust. Despite this scientific golden age, we also live in an era of growing suspicion of science, with mistrust and misinformation identified as one of the biggest global threats. Building back and strengthening trust in science are more essential than ever, and best REBUILDING TRUST THROUGH LOCAL OWNERSHIP achieved through local and regional support for science ecosystems that welcome international partnerships.
that is secured and sustained over the long term. This can only be guaranteed using domestic resources. Reliance on external assistance can be unreliable and may create power imbalances; governments should ring-fence specific revenues for investments in science while offering incentives to attract international inward investment as well as private and international investment. These are long-term national investments, with commitments needed over many decades, independent of changes in individual administrations. Short-term, stop-start funding of science will waste limited resources and fail to build a sector that can contribute to health and economic growth.
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Health: A Political Choice – The Future of Health in a Fractured World
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