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Culture, history and society

Culture, history and society

Global challenges

05 Oct 2005

The biggest problems are not easy to solve

Later this month 500 or so delegates will gather in Durban, South Africa, for the first World Conference on Physics and Sustainable Development (www.wcpsd.org). As the conference organizers point out, physics has already made tremendous contributions to the health and welfare of people and nations, but many of these contributions have benefited people in the developed world more than those in the developing world. The aim of the Durban conference is to “give the physics community the chance to begin to focus on how we can work with colleagues in the developing world to bring more benefits to their world” (see A global role for physics).

One of the biggest challenges is education. About 20% of the 100 million children of primary-school age in the developing world do not attend school, and this figure rises to about 40% in sub-Saharan Africa. It comes as little surprise that these countries do not have strong track records in either higher education or science and technology (see “The challenges for Africa” Physics World October p12; print version only).

However, a number of agencies have started to address these problems. A report prepared for the United Nations by a task-force on science, technology and innovation calls on developing nations to concentrate on generic or “platform” technologies that are relevant to their local needs, to build their infrastructure, and to rethink the role of universities to ensure that there are stronger links between R&D and local companies and needs (see “Innovations for all nations” Physics World October p16; print version only). Platform technologies identified by the task-force include information and communications technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology and new materials.

Of course, progress in the developing world will not happen without support from the developed world, and it is a disgrace that some western governments have already started to back away from previous commitments. Moreover, the challenges are not confined to the developing world. The Earth has only limited natural resources – notably of energy and safe drinking water – and it is essential that everyone on the planet co-operates to make the most of these, and to develop new sustainable resources, otherwise we all lose out.

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