Secretary-General Stresses Importance of Making Scientific Endeavour More Accessible, Attractive to Females, in Message for ‘Next Einstein Forum’

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the Next Einstein Forum, in Dakar today:

I am pleased to send greetings to the first Next Einstein Forum.  Today, more than ever, we must nurture, support and harness the full power of the sciences as a force for more inclusive, sustainable development.  We need this especially for Africa, to underpin the rights, dignity, creativity and innovation of all Africans and reinforce the foundations of Africa’s progress.  I count on the Next Einstein Forum to support the development of science, technologies and innovation on the continent, for the benefit of all.

It is significant that the Next Einstein Forum is being held on International Women’s Day.  We need more girls and women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.  No society can be just or develop with half of its talent ignored or wasted.  We need to change the image of scientific endeavour and make it more attractive and accessible to females.

Science is a force multiplier for advancing progress across all the Sustainable Development Goals.  We need to establish an enabling environment for young scientists to work on solutions to ending extreme poverty, advancing food security, promoting social inclusion and protecting the planet.

Our sustainable future will be built by supporting young minds and nurturing future Einsteins.  Let us cherish their sense of wonder and curiosity, support their efforts and back their visions.  This is our collective duty.  I wish you a productive and successful Forum.