On the occasion of the Francophone Day of the 4th International Conference on Science Advice to Governments (INGSA 2021), the Chief Scientist of Québec is pleased to announce the launch of a francophone network on science advice.
Constituted by a steering committee chaired by Lassina Zerbo, Executive Secretary Emeritus of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) and composed of some fifteen prominent figures and leaders of international organizations of the Francophonie, the network will encourage francophone science advisors of all kinds and backgrounds to share their practices and to develop capacity within their communities. As an introduction to the work, the Office of the Chief Scientist of Quebec is publishing a first report on science advice in various francophone states, and a group of 63 committed young people from 23 countries are submitting their proposals for more science in politics for better climate action . Then, with the financial support of the Fonds de recherche du Québec, a call for proposals will be launched to select the main architects who will build and lead the network.
This network will be recognized as one of the divisions of INGSA (International Network for Government Science Advice), thereby contributing to international reflection on the relationship between science and policy in their cultural and linguistic context. As the new president of INGSA, Québec’s chief scientist, Rémi Quirion, wants to make this issue one of his priorities. He has announced the creation of a governance committee within INGSA made up of members from diverse cultural communities.
Language influences the way relationships are built and there is no doubt that language carries meanings and usages that shape scientific conversations. This is why the Fonds de recherche du Québec are developing a growing number of initiatives and partnerships to support the French-speaking world of science, such as the Publication en français awards.
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“I am eager to see how francophones will conceive the relationship between science and policy. I hope that these exchanges will lead to innovative and surprising models for fostering links between science, policy and society.”
This article was first published on September 2 by Québec Research Funds.
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