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Science in the Developing World Abstract: It is nearly a matter of faith today that the humankind has accrued extraordinary benefits directly or indirectly, through the practice of science. There is also an increasing awareness of the important role of science as part of culture and of everyday life. There is much effort, therefore, to communicate the message of science to the young and old alike. All this is, however, truly valid in the advanced countries of the world. Nearly 75% of the world population living in the developing countries is yet to benefit fully from the progress in Science. While small-pox may have been eradicated and food security enhanced in most of the developing countries, it is also true that a high percentage of the people in these countries is illiterate and poor. Some of these countries have very few scientists and scientific institutions. The best of their schools and colleges are far from satisfactory. The situation in the least developed countries, a majority of which are in Africa, is specially grim. Unless there is a highly orchestrated effort to improve the situation, the world will continue to be full of inequities, giving rise to disharmony. Organizations such as the Third World Academy of Sciences, with the support of enlightened nations, are attempting to take good science and education to the doors of the disadvantaged peoples, but the effort appears to be incommensurate with the needs. It is important to recall that the only possible means of minimizing inequities and disparities in the world is through knowledge. Knowledge in general, scientific literacy in particular, appears to be the only equalizer that can be meaningfully sought; it is a genuine birthright of humankind. |
