The UN General Assembly officially founded the World Science Day for Peace and Development, celebrated annually on November 10, in 2001. This year, it was dedicated to linking science and society, and to joined action against the pandemic.
“By linking science more closely with society, the World Science Day for Peace and Development aims to ensure that citizens are kept informed of developments in science. It also underscores the role scientists play in broadening our understanding of the remarkable, fragile planet we call home and in making our societies more sustainable,” UNESCO wrote in their announcement.
Throughout this unprecedented health crisis, UNESCO, as the UN Agency with the field of science in its mandate, has endeavored to bring science closer to society and to bolster the critically needed international scientific collaborations. From the science perspective, UNESCO’s response to COVID-19 is structured around three major pillars: promoting international scientific cooperation, ensuring access to water, and supporting ecological reconstruction.
National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” supported the international initiative and organized the round table “Open Science”.
Informative reports and ideas about current problems were delivered by partners from Poland (Rector of Poznan University of Technology Teofil Jesionowski, Vice-Rector of Poznan University of Technology Pawel Sniatala, and Vice-Rector of Bialystok University of Technology Dorota Anna Krawczyk), Croatia (Head of Business Economics Department of University “North” Ante Roncevic), Azerbaijan (Professor of Azerbaijan State University of Economics Elshad Mamedov, post-graduate student of the university Esmira Akhmadova) and the representatives of the Young Scientists Board at the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine Olesia Vashchuk (Head of the Board) and Iryna Hubeladze (member of the Board and the representative of Ukraine in Eurodoc (Plan S Officer and Bologna Follow Up Group Officer)).
Scientists of our university, including Vice Rector for Scientific and International Affairs, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor Svitlana Sivitska, Director of Education and Research Institute of Finance, Economics and Management, Doctor of Economics, Associate Professor Iryna Chernysh, and Head of the Young Scientists Board of Education and Research Institute of Architecture, Construction and Land Management, PhD in Engineering, Associate Professor Yurii Avramenko, headed by Rector, Professor Volodymyr Onyshchenko shared the experience of Poltava Polytechnic in counteracting the pandemic, in scientific developments, particularly those created for the benefit of Poltava, and the analysis of changes in the needs of societies in different countries of the world.
“The development of science has become as important as ever for the society during the pandemic. UNESCO has chosen this topic for this year’s Science Day. In terms of the pandemic, universities all over the world has transformed and became innovative digital centers. The priorities in scientific research have also changed, and they have become connected mostly with solving relevant questions of overcoming the consequences of COVID-19. The economic consequences are unavoidable, but scientists can offer effective solutions for fighting the crisis. I am sure that the young scientists’ potential can change the world for better and win over the crisis caused by the Coronavirus,” Rector, Professor Volodymyr Onyshchenko said.
Science and scientists have are incredibly important for peaceful and sustainable development of communities, and the special day allows for informing citizens about the achievements of science. UNESCO encourages national and international solidarity in the interests of common use of scientific achievements by different countries and fights for renewing national and international obligation to use science for the benefit of society. But science faces many challenges and needs support.
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National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”
