Science Culture Construction through joint efforts and the South-South Biodiversity Science Project.
By:
ZHOU Jinfeng, Linda WONG, Marco A. Cabero Z., Jose Gabriel Perez Canencio, Mary Luz Ojeda Solarte, Yvonne LI, Yajie ZHAO, ZHANG Xiaoxin
Abstract:
Science popularization accomplishes the goal of facilitating public understanding and accessibility of scientific knowledge. Scientific Culture Construction (SCC) plays a crucial role in how society and the economy grow. The “South-South Biodiversity Science Project” has kicked off the first step of the “Science Culture Construction” in Latin America.
Key words: Science popularization, Scientific Culture Construction, South-South Biodiversity Science Project
ZHOU Jinfeng, Linda WONG, Marco A. Cabero Z., Jose Gabriel Perez Canencio, Mary Luz Ojeda Solarte, Yvonne LI, Yajie ZHAO, ZHANG Xiaoxin. Promoting Science Culture Construction through joint efforts. The case of the South-South Biodiversity Science Project. Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development, Vol.1 No.11, October 2022, ISSN2749-9065.
Scientific Culture Construction (SCC) plays a crucial role in how society and the economy grow. In this sense, science popularization accomplishes the goal of facilitating public understanding and accessibility of scientific knowledge. Science popularization refers to the dissemination of scientific knowledge, the introduction of science to the general public, and the encouragement of scientific thinking.
In addition to disseminating all of the essential knowledge and abilities, popularising science also fosters a general mindset and a shared culture, which are important tools and strategic measures for creating a contemporary society, as well as for innovation and the development of technology. Today, having access to knowledge is equated with advancement, well-being, well-living and high quality of life; in this light, scientific and technological literacy is a social and ethical right of all human beings.
Although there is progress, science popularization can be extended to include ground-breaking theoretical research and offer theoretical backing for the growth of the scientific culture. Science popularization is a developing interdisciplinary topic of study. There is still a lack of academic interest in a systematic analysis of science popularization history and other connected frontier subjects like scientific culture, open science, and scientific ethics that could be researched and comprehended. Insight from other fields, such as psychology, education, management science, or communication science, may be included in the standard theoretical framework for science popularization now in use. First-level disciplines must encourage the development of science popularization-related theories. Developing societies face enormous hurdles as a result of technology's growing ability to store, retrieve, and convey information. The challenging process of separating "transcendental" knowledge and information from that which is mundane, shallow, fleeting, or useless must be made easier by the popularization of science and technology.
Importantly, science popularization is ought to touch on issues like the sustainable development goals (SDGs), biodiversity conservation, green development, etc. These are essential areas that need immediate attention if society is to mobilize and work for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development's objectives. It is feasible to design programs that can be sustainable over time and even included in university curricula to engage youngsters by combining different areas. Efforts to improve science popularization can be directed in at least three directions: the general public, children and the youth, politicians and entrepreneurs. Initiatives to make scientific and technological knowledge accessible and familiar to the general public should be complemented by educational reforms that support the role of science teaching in primary and secondary education as well as a significant expansion of hands-on experimental activities; after all, science is an experimental endeavor. But a program aimed at popularizing science and technology is simpler to implement than such educational reforms, and it might undoubtedly result in a more favorable social attitude toward science and technology more quickly and effectively.
The “South-South Biodiversity Science Project (SSBSP)” proposed by the “China Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF)”, in conjunction with the “Green Science Project (GSP)” proposed by the “Andean Road Countries for Science and Technology (ARCST)”, and the “Climate Change Awareness Project proposed by UCEVA” have joined efforts to kick-off, the first step of the “Science Culture Construction” in Latin America. In future reports, we will provide in-depth analysis from the perspective of practice and implementation of the Scientific Culture Construction (SCC) in Latin America as the foundation to develop the scientific cause to build a community with a shared future for mankind.
Prepared by:
Prof. Dr. Zhou Jinfeng
Secretary General, China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF)
Prof. Linda Wong
Secretariat China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF)
Prof. Dr. Marco A. Cabero Z.
President of the Andean Road Countries for Science and Technology (ARCST)
Deputy Secretary of the South South Biodiversity Science Project, China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF)
Prof. Jose Gabriel Perez Canencio. Professor at Unidad Central del Valle del Cauca - UCEVA – Colombia
Researcher belonging to the GIGAE3D Group
Prof. Mary Luz Ojeda Solarte. . Professor at Unidad Central del Valle del Cauca - UCEVA – Colombia
Researcher belonging to the GIGAE3D Group
Yvonne Li
Public relations officer of the Andean Road Countries for Science and Technology (ARCST)
Yajie Zhao
Universidad Internacional de Negocios y Economia
Zhang Xiaoxin
Universidad de la Academia de Ciencias de China
References
1. Ren FJ (2008) A brief review of science popularization policies of the People’s Republic of China. Popular Science News, 16 December (in Chinese).
2. Ren FJ (2009a) Science popularization policies in China’s previous planning of science and technology. In: Li ZH (ed.) Theoretical and Practical Studies of Science Popularization in China. Beijing: Popular Science Press, pp. 60–64 (in Chinese).