The Role of Science Popularization in Science, Technology & Innovation Policy

Book excerpt: Popularisation of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) is a process of communicating and appropriating scientific and technological knowledge among broad sectors of the population. This process, however, must contribute to an effective integration of a number of historical, cultural, political, social and economic situations; and make such knowledge a central component of the culture of social awareness and collective intelligence. The possibilities of gaining access to information are changing our vision while transforming the relationship between human beings, and the appropriation and dissemination of knowledge. Today, access to STI related knowledge is synonymous with development, well-being and improving quality of life. In this context, S&T literacy is a social and ethical right of all human beings. But developing countries face formidable challenges in increasing the capacity to store, retrieve and transmit S&T information. For this reason, the areas to be reached by STI must be broadened to integrate formal education and communication with informal efforts; while also making scientific and technological knowledge available to the ordinary citizen. This book includes 14 papers contributed by researchers, scientists, experts and professionals from 9 different developing countries namely Bhutan, Cuba, India, Iran, Mauritius, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Togo and Zimbabwe. And each paper gives significant insight into various policies and strategies that are being adopted or need to be adopted by the developing countries to ensure effective communication and popularisation of scientific knowledge.