What is Open Science? According to the definition in the UNESCO Recommendation, Open Science is an inclusive concept that encompasses activities and practices aimed at making scientific knowledge open, accessible, and usable by all. This facilitates scientific collaborations and information sharing, which can enhance and improve scientific research and benefit the community. Open Science encompasses all scientific disciplines, including the basic sciences, applied sciences, natural and social sciences, and humanities. It represents an important opportunity to improve the quality of scientific research and make the process more transparent, collaborative, and accessible. Open Science enables the implementation of the sustainable development goals dictated by the UN2030 Agenda and brings science closer to the needs of society. It also provides equal access opportunities to citizens, researchers, and policymakers.
The key values of Open Science can be summarised in four categories: quality and integrity, collective welfare, fairness and impartiality, and diversity and inclusion. The first pillar pertains to maintaining high research standards and upholding academic freedom and human rights. Collective welfare refers to Open Science as a common good that must be protected and belong to humanity. The third key value emphasises the importance of reciprocal and fair sharing of information and research as a pathway to better scientific knowledge. Finally, diversity and inclusion aim to broaden and diversify participation in knowledge, languages, research, subjects, scholars, and researchers.
By adopting this Recommendation, member states are urged to invest in infrastructures that support Open Science and to provide training for those interested in scientific activities. More specifically, the following activities must be implemented:
1. increased promotion and understanding of Open Science, its associated benefits and the various pathways to these activities;
2. the development of a policy environment conducive to Open Science and increased investment in infrastructure;
3. increased investment in education, training and e-skills;
4. increased publicity of innovation activities at different stages of the scientific process;
5. better international and multilateral cooperation in order to reduce digital, technological and knowledge gaps
