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The American Physiological Society
Objects to
Proposed Boycott of Israeli Academics
On June 29, 2007, delegates at
the congress of the UK’s University and College Union (UCU) passed a motion
calling on their members to consider a boycott of Israeli academics and
institutions. The American Physiological Society posted a statement on the
website reaffirming strong support of the principles of the International
Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) as stated in Statute 5 of the “Statutes
and Rules of Procedure” approved October 2005, and urging members of the UCU
and all other academic societies to show support by voting against this or
any similar motion, which violates these principles:
“The principle of the Universality of Science is fundamental to scientific
progress. This principle embodies freedom of movement, association,
expression and communication for scientists, as well as equitable access to
data, information and research materials. In pursuing its objectives in
respect of the rights and responsibilities of scientists, the International
Council for Science (ICSU) actively upholds this principle, and, in so
doing, opposes any discrimination on the basis of such factors as ethnic
origin, religion, citizenship, language, political stance, gender, sex or
age. ICSU shall not accept disruption of its own activities by statements or
actions that intentionally or otherwise prevent the application of this
principle.” |
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America COMPETES
On August 9, 2007 the
President signed H.R. 2272 into law, a package of legislation called the
America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in
Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act.
The America COMPETES Act is the culmination of multiple efforts to implement
the recommendations issued in the National Academies 2005 report “Rising
Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter
Economic Future.” The report focused on the effect of the increasingly
global marketplace and economy on US prosperity, and the recommendations are
aimed at helping the US maintain its competitive edge through improved
science and education programs.
The Act sets aside nearly $34 billion to enhance science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education over the next three fiscal
years, authorizes multiple grant programs aimed at creating more math and
science teachers, and authorizes budget doublings over the next ten years at
the National Science Foundation, National Institute of Standards Technology,
and the office of science in the Department of Energy. The extent to which
the goals of the Act are achieved will depend on how much money is actually
appropriated to fund the initiatives. |
