Our Activities

Science for Democracy's activities include advocacy, public engagement and human rights monitoring. Each activity aims at promoting the respect of international laws and regulations, in the framework of the rule of law and human rights.

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The Human Right to Science - The Webinar and the Appeal to the member states of the United Nations

Since the Universal Declaration, science has been included in all major international instruments on Human Rights; this appeal puts forward a set of recommendations to invite governments to update and adjust their laws and policies to affirm the right to enjoy scientific progress and its application.

Right to science

Research and Self-Determination Index (RSDI)

The Research and Self Determination Index (RSDI) is a tool to measure the freedom of scientists and citizens (particularly patients) to make decisions that affect their activities and lives.

Freedom of Research

P-Cube - Playing Public Policy

Science for Democracy's members are currently involved in the project P-Cube - Playing public policy in collaboration with Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Technische Univeristait Delft, Politecnico di Milano, Universite du Luxembourg, ALDA - Association des agences de la democracie local.

Evidence based debates and policies

Recommendations on Open Science for UNESCO

Science for Democracy and he Associazione Luca Coscioni have participated in the global consultation launched by UNESCO on international guidelines on "Open Science"

Open Science

Diversity and Inclusion Policies Actions

Does "Equal" means better? Launch of the task force and preparation of written recommendations for regional and international organisations on gender and inclusion policies.

Evidence based debates and policies

General Comment on Science - Official version and monitoring activities

In April 2020, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights adopted General Comment No. 25 on science. Read the documents and activities implemented by Science for Democracy.

Right to science

"The Right to Enjoy the Benefit of Science" - Book of abstracts

Explore the interaction between science, the scientific method, evidence-based debates and the decisionmaking process and read all the abstracts of the 6th Meeting of the World Congress for Freedom of Scientific Research.

Right to science

6th Meeting of the World Congress for Freedom of Scientific Research

The 6th Meeting of the World Congress for Freedom of Scientific Research ended on the 26th of February in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Freedom of Research

Written contribution to the Draft General Comment on Science and economic, social and cultural rights

The Associazione Luca Coscioni (ALC) and Science for Democracy (SfD) commend the work of the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on their comprehensive “General Comment on Science” (GC) that has addressed the implications of science within a human rights framework.

Right to science

The Freedom of Scientific Research Open Access Book

An open access book about all aspects of freedom of scientific research. The contributors are drawn from many disciplines, and approach the issues in diverse ways to secure the widest representation of the many interests engaged.

Freedom of Research

Public promotion of the right to science

What is the right to science and why it matters. Science for Democracy members are available for webinars and events to support the promotion of the right to science.

Right to science

Shadow Reports

When States ratify a human rights treaty they also accept the obligation to periodically present a report detailing what measures they have taken to give effect to that treaty. Science for Democracy’s shadow reports are intended to supplement, or “shadow”, official State Reports to the United Nations.

Right to science

Recommendations to the General Comment on the Right to Science

Science for Democracy has been campaigning for years for the full recognition of the right to science and submitted comments to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Right to science

EU CAN DO IT - The Petition to the European Parliament on Covid-19

In the midst of the Coronavirus outbreak, Science for Democracy, together with Eumans and other European organisations, submitted a petition to the European Parliament for a common European response to the Covid19 social, economic and health crisis.

Right to science

StopGlobalWarming.eu European Citizens' Initiative

A price on CO2 emissions to fight climate change. The European Citizens Initiative to push the European Commission to fight climate change with an evidence-based policy.

Environment and Biotechnologies

Evidence-Based Policy 2.0: Findings, Issues and Prospects

What is the future of evidence-based policy? Does a new generation of evidence-based policy initiatives exist, and if so, how should we call it, evidence-based policy 2.0? What is the difference with 1.0? We addressed these questions at an international workshop (8 April 2019) hosted by the Global Governance Institute at University College London, School of Public Policy.

Evidence based debates and policies

United Nations Side-Events and drug policy advocacy

Ever since its inception, Science for Democracy has co-organised side-events at the United Nations in Vienna, on the occasion of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND).

Controlled Substances

Grow Scientific Progress European Citizens' Initiative

Science for Democracy supports the Grow Scientific Progress European Citizens’ Initiative. The goal of this ECI is to clarify EU rules regarding new breeding techniques. These are modern technologies, such as crispr, which allow to precisely edit DNA in a quick and efficient manner. Applied to agriculture, such techniques allow to grow more crops using less land, less water and less chemical products. But although the environmental benefits are clear, many environmentalist groups are opposed to it. This has resulted in an implicit ban, with new breeding techniques considered Genetically Modified Organisms, which are illegal for direct human consumption in the EU.

Environment and Biotechnologies

Give CRISPR a Chance

On March 5th, 2019 Science for Democracy organised a “Give Crispr a chance” snack in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, to raise awareness around Crispr, a new breeding technique. Although it allows to grow more crops with less water, less land usage and less pesticides, the technique is illegal in the EU because of a ruling by the European Court of Justice which equated it with Genetically Modified Organisms.

Environment and Biotechnologies

Coronavirus - Never again

Appeal to all governments so that the next General Assembly of the World Health Organisation can address COVID 19 to categorically reaffirm the full respect of human rights and the Rule of Law, and to promote the definition of rules and investments guaranteeing a rapid global response to pandemics.

Right to science

Appeal for the Human Rights to Science

A call for governments to respect international obligations of human rights, support scientific enterprise, promote and protect scientific culture and education, to dedicate a specific section to science within the periodic report to the UN Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights.

Right to science

Open Access and Recruitment of Academic Staff

Science for Democracy audition at Camera dei Deputati in Italy to inform the new laws related to the reform of the recruitment of academic staff.

Open Science