Summary

In her third thematic report to the Council, the Special Rapporteur focuses on the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications. The Special Rapporteur stresses the strong link of this right with the right to participate in cultural life and other human rights.

The Special Rapporteur defines the nature and scope of this right to include:

1. access by everyone without discrimination to the benefits of science and its applications, including scientific knowledge;
2. opportunities for all to contribute to the scientific enterprise and freedom indispensable for scientific research;
3. participation of individuals and communities in decision-making and the related right to information; and
4. an enabling environment fostering the conservation, development and diffusion of science and technology.

Recommendations

The Special Rapporteur makes a number of recommendations, most of which could be implemented in a timely manner. She also recommends that further work be conducted to enhance the conceptual clarity of the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications. A robust discussion is needed, including onher proposal to adopt a public good approach to knowledge innovation and diffusion.

Learn more about the right to benefit from scientific progress and its applications

Methodology

To prepare this report and assess achievements and challenges related to the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications, the Special Rapporteur prepared and disseminated a questionnaire in 2011.

See the note verbale and questionnaire