An International Workshop
Creating the Information Commons for e-Science:
Toward Institutional Policies and Guidelines for Action
UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
1-2 September 2005

Plenary Abstract:

Between Science and Government:
The OECD and the Building of Scientific Communities

John Dryden
Deputy Director for Science, Technology and Industry, OECD
www.oecd.org/sti

This presentation examines the role of the OECD in assisting policy development to achieve the twin objectives of (a) maximising the contribution of science to economic and social wellbeing, while (b) sustaining and developing the science base in the long-term. Since its inception in the 1960s, the OECD helps develop factual knowledge and understanding, and assists international networks of science policy makers and users from advanced economies, in developing coherent approaches to promoting investment in knowledge, ensuring its reward and addressing diverging interests regarding its diffusion. The presentation provides an overview of recent OECD work, that has examined four aspects of the "Global Research Village": the use of new technologies, especially high performance computing and communications, to encourage science and technology co-operation, the development of scientific publishing and public sector information provision in the online environment; the development of a shared understanding of complex issues such as access to scientific data, including specific questions related to research exemption to IPR protection; the encouragement of arrangements for international science and technology collaboration itself and for sharing needed research infrastructure, principally through the OECD Global Science Forum or the creation of and international network of Biological Resource Centres; finally, and most crucially for the creation of an information commons there is the question of encouraging the greatest possible access to research data, particular that arising from publicly funded research.