AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition

The AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition is a network of scientific and engineering membership organizations that recognizes a role for science and scientists in efforts to realize human rights. The aim of the Coalition is to facilitate communication and partnerships on human rights within and across the scientific community, and between the scientific and human rights communities.

Why

The protection and advancement of human rights require the active engagement of scientists - their knowledge, tools, and voices. While some scientific associations and scientists have made vital contributions to human rights, as a group they have lacked a forum in which to learn from colleagues with experience in human rights, explore new areas of human rights work, and develop together new contributions to human rights efforts. The AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition was formed to fill this gap. It will also finally make it possible to advance the right to "the benefits of scientific progress and its applications" by combining the efforts of scientific associations across disciplines to tackle this long-neglected human right. Programs Coalition members work both through working groups devoted to specialized areas of activity and together on an over-arching initiative. The Coalition is currently committed to the following areas of activity:

1. Welfare of Scientists
2. Science Ethics and Human Rights
3. Service to the STEM Community
4. Service to the Human Rights Community
5. Education and Information Resources

The Coalition is also pursuing a joint initiative to realize the human right to “the benefits of scientific progress” (Article 15, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights).

For further information about the Coalition’s programs, mission and goals, membership, and organizational structure, please see the Foundational Documents and the Plan of Action (2009-2011).

Membership

Scientific associations, professional societies, and science academies that recognize a role for science and scientists in the realization of human rights are welcome to join the Coalition as Member Organizations. Those that wish to learn more can join as Affiliated Organizations. Individual scientists who want to contribute to human rights, who want to learn more about science and human rights, or who want help in introducing human rights to their scientific associations, can also join as Affiliated Scientists.
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(page updated 02/01/2012)