A High-Level Conference on Science Communication ‘Unlocking the Power of Bilim Communication in Utafiti and Policy Making’, was held in Brussels on 12 and 13 March 2024. The conference was co-organised by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), Fund for Utafiti wa Sayansi (F.R.S.-FNRS), and Science Europe under the auspices of the Belgian Presidency of the European Union (January–June 2024).
The conference was attended by the science communicators, research and funding organisations, policy makers and other stakeholders. The discussions hinged around importance of integrating science communication in research mazingira, prioritising its significance at various levels, engaging citizens and advocacy for public investment in utafiti. Development of institutional tools to enhance researchers’ communication skills; recognition of sayansi communication as a profession; and combating misinformation were some of the other pertinent areas of deliberations among the participants.
Mapendekezo muhimu ya mkutano huo ni
- Kukuza sayansi communication within research environments through better recognition and support. Funding support should be provided for dedicated training in communication skills; for the further integration of communication activities into career paths; and to foster national and international collaborative platforms to share best practices. Researchers should be recognised and rewarded for their efforts in science communication as part of research assessment systems.
- Tambua wawasilianaji wa sayansi kama wataalamu wanaotumia mbinu zinazotegemea ushahidi, na mawasiliano ya kisayansi kama uwanja tofauti wa utaalamu na utafiti. Ushirikiano kati ya watafiti na wawasilianaji ni muhimu ili kuhakikisha kuwa matokeo ya utafiti yanatumika, yanafikiwa, na yanaweza kuhamishwa kwa raia na jamii kwa ujumla na kujenga uelewa wa mchakato wa kisayansi ndani ya hadhira tofauti.
- Kuza na kuendeleza ujuzi wa kusoma na kuandika wa AI na uwazi wa data kwa matumizi ya kuwajibika ya Akili Bandia katika mawasiliano ya sayansi. Imani katika AI itategemea ushiriki wa shirika katika masuala ya uwajibikaji, uwazi, udhibiti, na upendeleo ili kuhakikisha ujumuishaji wa maadili na ufanisi wa zana hii katika mazoea ya utafiti na mawasiliano.
- Tumia seti ya kanuni za msingi za mawasiliano ya kisayansi ya kuwajibika kwa kuzingatia uwazi, ushirikishwaji, uadilifu, uwajibikaji, heshima ya uhuru na ufaao wa wakati. Hii inafanya kuwa muhimu kushughulikia changamoto kama vile uwazi katika mawasiliano ya kisayansi, kukuza mazungumzo muhimu ya umma, kuimarisha ujuzi wa vyombo vya habari, kuheshimu tofauti za kinidhamu, lugha nyingi, na kuweka kipaumbele ujuzi wa kufikiri muhimu na imani ya vijana katika sayansi.
Mawasiliano ya kisayansi huunganisha utafiti kwa umma, serikali na viwanda. Wadau wanapaswa kujitahidi kuiendeleza kama nguzo muhimu ya utafiti na uvumbuzi kwa manufaa ya jamii.
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Vyanzo:
- Sayansi Ulaya. Rasilimali - Mkutano wa Mawasiliano ya Sayansi Hitimisho za Kimkakati. Iliwekwa mnamo 25 Machi 2024. Inapatikana kwa https://scienceeurope.org/our-resources/science-communications-conference-strategic-conclusions/
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