UNESCO Working Groups on Open Science (OS WGs)

Abstract

UNESCO has established several Working Groups on Open Science (OS WGs) to support the implementation of its Recommendation on Open Science, adopted during the 41st session of the General Conference on November 23, 2021. UNESCO established its first Working Groups on Open Science in 2022 to support the implementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science. The OS WGs function as international forums by bringing together experts, policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders from around the world to discuss and promote open science practices.

UNESCO has convened five specialized working groups, each concentrating on a specific aspect of open science:

1) Capacity Building: To enhance the skills and competencies necessary for practicing open science, particularly in under-resourced regions. It develops training materials, workshops, and collaborative platforms to facilitate knowledge sharing.

2) Policies and Policy Instruments: To advise on the formulation and implementation of policies that promote open science at institutional, national, and international levels. It creates guidelines and frameworks to assist policymakers in adopting open science principles.

3) Financing and Incentives: To identify sustainable funding models and incentives to encourage the adoption of open science practices. It recommends financial mechanisms and reward systems that support open access and data sharing.

4) Infrastructures: To promote the development of shared research infrastructures that facilitate open science and serve the needs of diverse communities. It develops guidelines for open science infrastructures and index existing platforms in UNESCO's priority areas.

5) Monitoring: To assist in developing a global monitoring framework to assess the implementation and impact of open science initiatives. It establishes indicators and metrics to track progress and inform policy adjustments.

Overview

Country	International
Start date	2022
Annual Budget	n/a
Responsible organisation(s)	UNESCO
Target group(s)	Scientists, policy makers, and the general public.
Policy instrument type	International forum and recommendation.

Background

The UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science sets a global framework for transforming scientific research into an open, inclusive, and collaborative endeavor, ensuring that knowledge and data are available to benefit society as a whole. It emphasizes the importance of reducing knowledge inequalities and fostering sustainable development through open science practices. It was developed by UNESCO to address global challenges and enhance the societal impact of science.

The Recommendation was officially adopted on November 23, 2021, at UNESCO's 41st General Conference.

Objective(s)

to assist UNESCO and its Member States in operationalizing the principles outlined in its Recommendation on Open Science.

Public access URL

Implementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science | UNESCO

All tags

• International Co-operation
• International
• 2022
• UNESCO
• Established researchers
• Higher education institutes
• Public research institutes
• Research support staff
• Private R&D
• Academic societies academics
• Networking and collaborative platforms
• International fora and consensus bodies

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