Dumerous voices are raised in favor of a strengthened dialogue between science and society. The health crisis linked to Covid-19 appears in this respect as a missed opportunity. Ecological, energy, health, economic and even democratic crises cannot be overcome without science. In the land of the Enlightenment, of scholars and inventors, we call for a real collective awareness in favor of an ambitious national policy of scientific culture!
Politics must take responsibility. A parliamentary report of October 11, 2022 is alarmed at the state of scientific culture in France and draws up a mixed assessment of the policies carried out in its favour. However, with many of the most determined actors present throughout the territory, scientific culture remains in too many respects a poor relation. It suffers from a systemic problem of consideration, management, steering and resources.
A renovated national organization, endowed with new means coordinating all the institutional, associative, public and private actors, will make it possible to respond to the triple crisis that is hitting us: ecological, health and democratic. Yes, scientific culture is one of the peaceful solutions for the future of our humanity and our planet!
Changing paradigm and representation is decisive
The One Health concept, which considers human, animal and ecological health as a continuum, enjoins the whole of society to be involved. Openness to curiosity, to knowledge, to awareness of the world around us and to citizenship requires transversal, intersectoral and transdisciplinary action. Promoting synergy and coordinating all the actors involved will ensure regular interventions from primary to higher and professional education, integrating extracurricular activities and the entire population.
Scientific culture will also be aimed at the great bodies of state, intermediate bodies, political leaders, managers and journalists. Much more than a question of social justice and the common good, the redistribution of knowledge and equal access to science in general are part of respect for our fundamental rights.
Changing paradigm and representation is decisive: society and science must find confidence in each other. Let us encourage the basic and applied sciences but also the human and social sciences to meet. Let’s transmit the spirit of the sciences, their methodologies, their temporalities and the doubt intrinsic to research.
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