Mandate:    -   Summary Record of the 115th Session of the Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy, held on 17-18 October 2019 [DSTI/STP/M(2019)2].

Extract from document [DSTI/STP(2019)19/REV1]

MANDATE OF THE OF THE GLOBAL SCIENCE FORUM (GSF)

Aims and scope

1.The OECD Global Science Forum (GSF) is a Working Party of the Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy (CSTP). The GSF was established in 1992 as the Mega-science Forum – a subsidiary body of the CSTP – to act as a venue for member and relevant non-member countries to discuss issues relating to very large international science infrastructures [C(92)87 and C/M(92)12/PROV, Item 116]. The mandate was revised and expanded in 1994 to focus on recommendations to governments concerning international science collaborations. This mandate was maintained when the name was changed to the GSF in 1999 to more accurately reflect its broader science policy role [DSTI/STP(99)12/REV1 and DSTI/STP/M(99)2].

2.Taking into account the need for international collaboration in science to address complex and inter-related societal, environmental and economic challenges, the overall objective of the GSF is to support countries to improve their science policies and reap the benefits of international collaboration.

3.In the context of the CSTP and its other Working Parties, the GSF is concerned mainly with the health of the Science Base that underpins systems of Science, Technology and Innovation. This includes coverage of activities and policies relating mainly to public sector research actors and to the infrastructures and human and financial resources associated with them. It covers research across all disciplines, including social sciences and humanities. The interfaces between science and policy and science and society are important areas of interest. The main target group for the outcomes of GSF projects are science policy makers.

Issues and activities

4.To meet its objectives, the GSF will:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of policies to support scientific activity and its contribution to society. This includes providing guidance on issues such as research environments and infrastructures; research quality and openness; research assessment, measurement and incentives; research training and careers.

• Facilitate the exchange of information in new emerging areas of science or around new methods of research or facilities that require international co-operation and policy development. This includes identifying needs for global scientific cooperation and mechanisms to address those needs, including measures to ensure the security and integrity of scientific development.

• Foster effective international collaboration on policies to address global societal challenges that often require inter-disciplinary approaches (bringing together natural and social sciences) and trans-disciplinary approaches (co-design and co-production of knowledge).

• Facilitate the exchange of information to identify best practices, concerns and future needs in relation to Science and Society and Science for Policy. This includes the responsible and effective communication of science and the engagement of various stakeholders in the design of scientific agendas, programmes and projects. It also includes understanding policy needs and ensuring that the best available scientific evidence/information is readily available to policy makers while maintaining the highest degree of science integrity across a broad range of issues and in a variety of situations.

Modalities

5.The GSF is a venue for consultations among senior science policy officials of in OECD Member countries. It holds general meetings and establishes ad hoc groups to take forward specific areas of work. Under the aegis of CSTP, the GSF produces reports and science-policy recommendations for action at senior administrative or operational levels. It keeps other OECD Committees, or their subsidiary bodies, informed of the progress of work related to their interests. It works actively with such bodies where this is mutually beneficial and engages relevant international partners in the development and promotion of its activities.

1.Strategic scoping work, including consultation with Members and strategic partners, helps the GSF prioritise issues to be addressed in the short, medium and long term within the context of the overall development of the CSTP Programme of Work and Budget. This prioritisation takes previous and ongoing activities fully into consideration in order to achieve a balance between continuity and renewal.

2.GSF activities are generally preceded by a short scoping study that defines the specific niche for GSF, its relevance to CSTP priorities and its relationship to other OECD and international activities. An important criterion for approval of any activity is its potential impact, with communication and implementation aspects being explicitly addressed. The support and commitment of a significant number of Members and Partners is essential before any activity is started.

3.In order to take forward specific areas of work, the GSF has a number of established mechanisms:

• Expert groups, which have a well-defined scope and duration, bring together leading international experts and/or senior science policy makers and officials to share information and analyses and make proposals for actions at the policy level.

• Single-event workshops can be organised to bring together government officials, scientific experts, and other stakeholders, with the goal of exploring a selected issue with a broader community of participants. Such workshops may be organised jointly with CSTP or other OECD committees or subsidiary bodies. They may also engage strategic partners from outside of OECD.

• Surveys and case studies can be conducted to gather and analyse information. Typically, these activities will serve to inform debate by the GSF itself.

4.These mechanisms are not mutually exclusive and the choice of modality depends on the specific task. Other mechanisms may be adopted as necessary.

5.The GSF is open to all OECD Members. It maintains relations, as appropriate, with non-OECD Member countries in accordance with the rules of the Organisation, notably the Revised Resolution of the Council on Partnerships in OECD bodies [C(2012)100/REV1/FINAL]. In particular, Key Partners are actively encouraged to participate in all activities. International organisations may also be invited, as appropriate.

6.The expenditure of the GSF shall be charged against the appropriations authorised for it under Part II of the Budget of the OECD.

7.The mandate of the GSF shall come into force on 1 January 2019 and remain in force until 31 December 2024 unless the CSTP decides otherwise.