Implementing UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science: Common and Inclusive Actions

Abstract

[Purpose/Significance] How to accelerate science and technology cooperation and build an open innovative ecology effectively requires solutions that keep up with the times. UNESCO launched the Recommendation on Open Science (the Recommendation in brief) as an international standard-setting instrument for the implementation of open science in its member states. Thus, the vision set by the document will be a new paradigm for scientific research. It is necessary to introduce the process of the creation of this instrument on open science, the value of the standard-setting instrument and its main elements. Therefore, the paper analyzes the inclusiveness of this international normative instrument on open science, puts forward corresponding countermeasures and suggestions, provides references for the formulation of the implementation plan of open science at the national level, and also helps people correctly understand the value of open science and better participate in the implementation of the related proposals at the national level and in the global network. [Methods/Process] Before being adopted by UNESCO in 2021, the draft UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science went through the expert-based group discussion, global online consultation, regional consultation, and debate in the intergovernmental panel. Through literature research this study first reviews the process, connotation and principles of the formulation of the document, and then analyzes the challenges that may be encountered in the implementation of the Recommendation at the national level. [Results/Conclusions] Inclusiveness is a fundamental principle of open science that permeates the entire process of developing the Recommendation. It provides a non-binding international framework for promoting international cooperation in science and technology. The long-term value of the Recommendation is to make science more inclusive, transparent, collaborative and accessible. The values and principles of open science must be adhered to in practice by designing a system of participation, relevance, sharing, and innovation. The specific implementation of the Recommendation at the national level requires research and breakthroughs in policy, infrastructure, open mechanisms, capacity building, evaluation and demonstration criteria, including creating a policy environment conducive to open science, strengthening the capacity-building of facilities, platforms and talent conducive to open science, and organizing international cooperation aimed at dealing with major issues and challenges. Therefore, the road map of implementing open science through open access to data, information, results, and the sharing of research processes and facilities should be guided by the problems between science and societal needs.

Keywords

• open science|unesco recommendation on open science|implementation|suggestions