The Science in Exile initiative: Displacement, Gender, and the Right to Science in the Global South

Conflicts, violence, human rights violations and climate change displace untold numbers of people from their homes and countries. Among them are scientists, doctors, engineers and others with technical training. This panel will start by providing an overview of the Science in Exile initiative launched in 2021 by UNESCO-TWAS, the International Science Council and the InterAcademy Partnership, which aims to create a network of like-minded organizations that work together to develop a global platform and roll out a coordinated advocacy campaign, in order to foster a cohesive response for the support and integration of refugee, displaced and at-risk scientists.

The panel 'The Science in Exile initiative: Displacement, Gender, and the Right to Science in the Global South' will take place on 16 July (08:00-09:15 AM CET) during the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF) and will open by presenting key lessons learnt through its consultative workshops and webinars, and then will look at the Right to Science in the context of global forced displacement and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

It will provide different regional and global perspectives on supporting displaced scientists in reaching safety, staying up to date in their field, maintaining meaningful careers, and being in a position to help rebuild their countries if and when conditions allow.

The session will have a special thematic focus on gender, looking at the intersectional nature of challenges that displaced and refugee scientists may encounter, particularly during a pandemic. As two thirds of displaced scientists come from just five countries, including countries with some of the world’s most poorly funded science institutes and systems, the panel will also provide key insights on such regional challenges with a number of speakers from the area.